Do you Take Advantage of Differences Between Analog and Digital Tools?
In the past, I have written stories about having an analog and a digital desk. It only makes sense to me that in order for me to function productively I need to carve out areas in which I do different types of work.
I recently published a mostly fill-in-the-blanks planner & journal. This project management weekly planner and the journal is a tool that I use and thought that it should be made available to others.
Why?
Well, most project managers today are completely immersed in the digital world. And often this purely digital world leaves them stressed and less productive. They are just drowning in data in form of emails, words documents, schedules, reports, etc.
None of those are going to go away any time soon.
To me, computers are for execution. They are the main tool by which project managers execute their jobs. It is unlikely that we will pick up a shovel and start digging. We move electrons to get work done.
BUT before you conclude that you only need the computer to be a successful project manager consider the benefits of a notebook. My planner and journal is a notebook type of device that helps you think through the different elements that need to be done that week. It allows you to think on paper. It nurtures your strategic skills to set priorities and not miss something.
SO to me the analog and digital worlds must co-exist. Do your thinking and strategy development on paper and then transfer those as action items in your schedule.
After you are done executing the activities for that week, take a pause and journal your failures and successes. Take the time to summarize the key lesson that you learned that week that you should capture.
MY planner/journal is intended for a single project. This is to allow you to see the picture unfold in front of you as you progress towards completion. It is not intended to be used as a notebook to capture notes on all projects you are managing. For each project invest in an analog tool that will keep you on track and moving towards success.
The analog thinking/strategy INTO digital schedule INTO analog journal loop is powerful and hopefully, you will see the benefit and differences of these two words.
My four cents…
The Project Management Weekly Planner & Journal can be purchased on Amazon. There are several versions from which to choose:
Black with Red- PMP Basics + Construction + Safety + Environment
Pink - PMP Basics + Construction + Safety + Environment
Gray- PMP Basics
Green- Non-Industrial PMP Basics
