With the previous post covering my use of the ScanDock, you might think that I am really averse to any sort of paper. The fact is that I like the stuff I write (i.e. handwrite), such as notes, lists, schedules and various To-Do list stuff. Having a paper list in your wallet is a great backup in case all of the electronica you carry doesn’t work. The fact is that sometimes the old school methods work best.
First off, there are a few tools to look into (always with the tools…). I have been using Toodledo for a couple months (it is a great to-do list tool!), and it has an app to make your to-do list into a folded booklet to carry in your wallet. Even Lifehacker has covered it. The link to the actual Toodledo booklet is here.
If you are interested in this sort of printed booklet format, there is the PocketMod site which lets you create almost anything you might want to put onto a folded booklet for your wallet (important addresses, contacts, phone numbers, etc.)
With a combination of these two apps, you can create an array of important information to carry in your person quite easily. The real question is what information to put on any of these booklets. Once again, there are plenty of resources online to give you a few hints:
9 Lists To Keep Updated, and Keep Handy
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/9-lists-to-keep-updated-and-keep-handy.html
As with the topic I covered a week ago about a personal backup to put on a flashdrive, there are some things which are worthwhile to keep on paper, but there are also some things which you shouldn’t carry (just in case of loss or theft…). Since these printed booklets are so easy to make, I can see the advantage in creating rather prosaic lists, such as:
· Grocery lists
· Lists of potential gifts
· ‘Things not to forget’
The actual number of list topics could go on forever… Beyond lists, there are plenty of good reasons to carry a pen and notebook. If you have been reading this blog, you may have seen my post covering mind exercises, where writing is an actual mental exercise (versus typing),and that there is a lot more freedom of expression in a handwritten format than anything you could type…
Six More Reasons to Use a Paper To-Do List
http://gigaom.com/collaboration/six-more-reasons-to-use-a-paper-to-do-list
Five Reasons to Use a Paper To-Do List
http://gigaom.com/collaboration/five-reasons-to-use-a-paper-to-do-list
