Easy Reference Systems

CREATING AND USING EASY, USABLE REFERENCE SYSTEMS

FOR MANAGING LIFE MORE EASILY

Your brain is the best easy reference system. Of course, to use it you must repeat or memorize in some way so that it is imprinted. But you can't remember everything nor put it all into your mind's storage system, so it is necessary to create another storage system - another brain, in a sense - but if you can't find what is put into it, then you will have wasted your time and not be able to get what you want from it.

In "getting from here to there", the process is always

1. Gain some information (which consists of learning and storing for use in the brain OR another findable place, so it can be accessed for use) - this is often called the "capture" (of information) process.

2. Use that information to get desired results.

A. Create a system that will lead to being able to find the information easily without having to re-figure where to go or figure out where to start, as it will be obvious (such as using a search engine for where you store the information. In parts of this system, some things will, where applicable, automatically happen and/or you go to a logicacl place, where you are told what to do to access what to do next. This system will have all the kinks worked out of it, because you will have perfected it since it is something that will be used over and over and over, where we cannot afford to have an ineffective system (or non-system).. You save energy by not having to redecide what to do. You create more certainty (and its sister: confidence).

- Using a mechanical system that does it for you is great: such as automate payments, automate

reminders, a schedule with tickles of key items.

- Giving the system to a partner or assistant who then can do it perfectly per the system

saves you time (though you do have to spend a little time managing and checking in)

B. Using "guides" on what to do - checklists, procedures.

Read "The Lady Who Prospered Rapidly From Procedurizing", appended in Procedures And Checklists For Maximum Productivity.

THESE ARE THE PIECES OF THE TOTAL SYSTEM

This is a "complex" system as it includes many individual systems that interact to produce the overall desired result. The overall desired result is to be able to easily find what is valuable and usable.

In it, you will have some frequently referenced items in a closer or more easily accessible form. A referencing notebook system, a computer reference system, a paper filing system, a scheduling calendar/reminder system.

It is essential that you make perfect (perfectly usable, that is) each one of these systems, as they repeatedly produce value and saved time. The alternative is to waste time and waste the benefits of what has been learned or designed and usable for your benefit.

This is a "core" part of what will make your life work better - and make it easier and more problem free!

Yes, it does take time to do it, but the returns are huge per amount of benefit per hour spent!

Set aside at least two (possibly one at a time) full days of nailing this down so that you have a working system (which will, I guarantee you, be tweaked and improved as you go).

NOTEBOOK REFERENCING SYSTEM

Setting Up And Using A Referencing Notebook System

The Reminders Notebook - For centering, grounding, inspiring - reminding you of key items in your life and items you want to review.

Use the "What To Do When" instant reference page, as one especially constructed for users of this site.

COMPUTER REFERENCING SYSTEM

Instant reference of key website pages - In "Favorites" (bookmarks), construct a new folder file for "personal reference" and then do other subfolders if you wish. On any web page, you can choose to add it to favorites.

Instant access to recordings for use as desired - On an MP3 player or on phone (with MP3, and possibly its own recording mechanism), keep various reminders, affirmations, and such, for instant use. You'd have, at least, 2 good relaxation pieces, a meditation guidance piece, affirmations and key statements and declarations, even a goals list, a pep talk, and the like.

Computer organization system outline - Organize all you write and copy into files and subfiles for easier access.

My "To Read" and "To Reference" System - If I want to read something on the computer, I don't print it out, but I list it for when I want to read it, in a master linking list (I highlight the link in the upper left, press CTRL C, and copy it, pasting it in my listing page with a CTRL V).

However, in truth, I generally do not recommend reading things at random, so I list them by topic using a tree outline system (see The Journal), where I can just list what I want to read (or paste in the link) under that topic.

The third system would be to keep, if it is primarily from this site, a copy of the Contents/Links page for each topic and subtopic and to simply put a checkmark next to those you want to read (and then pull it up when you read it) and then I would put a cross through the checkmark indicating I've read it. If you wish to mark a piece up, but also keep it for reference, then I recommend that you copy the piece into a word-type document and then use Bold or something to highlight what is of special interest. This approach completely eliminates piles and notebooks. (If you mark up a hard copy, scan it into the computer.) You would set up the directory in your computer to be organized just like the website - or use the system suggestion Computer organization system outline.

Thought, Idea Recording & Reference System

MyJournal (DavidRM) - A tree outline referencing system so you can organize info in a hierarchy and "collapse" the subsections, for easier referencing and organizing. Plus a journal.

PAPER FILING SYSTEM (Alternative: Scan documents, file on computer, such as Simple Index.)

Master file numbering system - If you set up files both in a logical order and using a numbering system, you'll be able to find anything. If you forget the logic, just look up the topic on the overall list - and then go find it by the number! Use this site's search engine if you wish to find a topic, but add, so it screens from the other "hits", the words "master file. If it is in a word document, there is typically a "find" function, where you can go to the specified word in the word document.

Home Office File Numbering System form - For your use, revision

Example of a specific one involving locations

ITEMS TO READ, REVIEW

If we pile things, we will hardly ever see them again. Of course, we can mark things "A", "B", etc., in order of importance and then have stacks of each, so that we must finish all the A's first before doing any B's. That can work, probably with a horizontal holder of some sort.