Hipster

As I was unpacking a few weeks ago, I found my stack of extra index cards that I had been using to supply my Hipster PDA. What's a Hipster PDA? Well, for those of you unfamiliar with it, it's an extremely low tech system of managing one's time/to-do list. I'm typically low tech. And, I'm typically on the lookout for better ways to manage my time. So, when I heard about the Hipster PDA a year ago, it appealed to me.

The general idea is that you take a stack of ultra cheap index cards, clip them together with an alligator-type paper clip, and use these to track your to-do list. I personally like the cards with the color coded margins as they help feed my need for organization (I use a different color for various task categories) but they aren't quite as obnoxious as the full color pastel cards. In theory, you're supposed to use one card for each item on your list. I don't follow these guidelines exactly but it's pretty close. I use one card for each big item on my list. These include creative projects, house projects, or anything else that will involve multiple steps and/or days. I usually top the card with the idea and use the rest of the card to write down sub-ideas, shopping lists, measurements, sketches, etc. For instance, I used a card for the rotary phone project and I quickly filled it up by listing the various supplies I'd need and what I spent on them...kind of like a project diary. I veer from the Hipster PDA's guidelines putting all my immediate/current week tasks on a single card. This is usually filled with things like mailing something, stopping at the grocery store, and, occasionally, the sub-tasks from the other cards.

I like the concept of the Hipster PDA. I used it pretty faithfully last winter. Unfortunately, I strayed last spring when we got wrapped up in our move. Ironically, that was when I was busiest and really could've used better time management. Anyway, I'm trying to get back in the habit. And before you ask, I do reuse and recycle cards.