Many software packages are available that claim to save us time. Choices include scheduling software such as Outlook or Day-Timer, and contact management software such as Act! or Goldmine. Or the popular Palm Pilot handheld computer. But when I see how people use these products, I sometimes wonder if it's worth the bother.

-----Importance of Having Realistic Expectations-----
Stephen Covey observed that many people seek a "Magic Tool" which they hope will magically, effortlessly, get them organized. But in reality it's not that simple: In addition to choosing the right tool and using it properly, we must manage paper and phone calls, set priorities, deal with crises, juggle multiple projects, and plan for the future. Many people have a To-Do list dozens of items long, including tasks that have been waiting for months. Is such a list more effective just because it's "in the computer"? Obviously, no.

------Choose Carefully, Then Learn to Use It---------
Don't get me wrong--I'm no Luddite. I love computers. Yet in my practice, I see that few people seem to get the full benefit of ACT!, Outlook, the PalmPilot, or whatever they're using. For some users, these products even waste as much time as they save--although the victim is too close to the situation to see it. Perhaps they never really learned to use it, so they're only using a fraction of its potential. Or they're using the wrong software for their needs. Many people even use two or three software packages that do basically the same thing; then the time wasted switching back and forth (not to mention the confusion that results!) outweighs any benefits.

------The Importance of Looking Ahead-------
Sucessful people know the importance of doing one step towards their long-terms goals, every single day. To manage your time effectively, you must always keep the big picture in mind. One drawback with the small handheld organizers is that the calendar only shows you one day at a time. This encourages people to focus on daily minutae and lose sight of the big picture. Most of us have this 'blinders on" tendency anyhow -- and it's not helpful to use a planning tool that makes it even worse!

--------It's Still Up To You---------
Truth is, calling such software or handheld computers "organizers" is a misnomer. They're really just places to store information. In themselves, they do not organize anything. WE do--through a comprehensive system of time, paper, task, and information management.
©2002 Jan Jasper

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