Comments on: If you don’t like writing lists, buy a new pen http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:30:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Dina http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-134611 Dina Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:00:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-134611 Writing lists is helpful but every time I decided to do it even in really important planning situations I didn't do it, I am used to mediations and feeling things so when I have to review some project whether small or a life changing one I just let myself concentrate and come out with the step that I have to take now. The only times that lists actually work for me is in checking that I have done all I decided or had to do. Like going with a list after every thing is packed to see if I got it all. Or making a list of where I was heading to see that I really got there. I'm in a process of moving to a very different house in the north and I can really see that when I stuck and can't figure out what to pack with what and in what schedule I let it sink and then know what is the right thing to do now. Writing lists is helpful but every time I decided to do it even in really important planning situations I didn’t do it, I am used to mediations and feeling things so when I have to review some project whether small or a life changing one I just let myself concentrate and come out with the step that I have to take now.

The only times that lists actually work for me is in checking that I have done all I decided or had to do.

Like going with a list after every thing is packed to see if I got it all. Or making a list of where I was heading to see that I really got there.

I’m in a process of moving to a very different house in the north and I can really see that when I stuck and can’t figure out what to pack with what and in what schedule I let it sink and then know what is the right thing to do now.

]]> By: michael http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-121746 michael Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:45:54 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-121746 Dear Sir/Madam， We are China joint venture factory specializing in the manufacture and export of pens, pencils, paper, stationery, desk accessories and other products. We have profuse designs with series quality grade, our price is very competitive because we are manufactory, we are the source. You are welcome to visit our website http://www.rainbow-industry.com which includes our latest products. Should any of these products be of interest to you, please contact us, we will be happy to give you a quotation upon receipt of your detailed requirements. We are looking forward to receiving your reply Best regards, Michael China Rainbow Industry CO.,LTD. ADD: Jiangbei Industry park, Ningbo 315032, China TEL: +86-136 8585 2824 FAX: +86-574 8309 1887 WEB: www.rainbow-industry.com E-MAIL: rainbow@rainbow-industry.com Dear Sir/Madam，

We are China joint venture factory specializing in the manufacture and export of pens, pencils, paper, stationery, desk accessories and other products. We have profuse designs with series quality grade, our price is very competitive because we are manufactory, we are the source. You are welcome to visit our website http://www.rainbow-industry.com which includes our latest products.

Should any of these products be of interest to you, please contact us, we will be happy to give you a quotation upon receipt of your detailed requirements.

We are looking forward to receiving your reply

Best regards,

Michael

China Rainbow Industry CO.,LTD.
ADD: Jiangbei Industry park, Ningbo 315032, China
TEL: +86-136 8585 2824
FAX: +86-574 8309 1887
WEB: http://www.rainbow-industry.com
E-MAIL: rainbow@rainbow-industry.com

]]> By: Eva http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-74744 Eva Tue, 22 May 2007 03:47:32 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-74744 Ha! I love pens that "ooze" ink. You're right on about the feeling about pen on paper. Which reminds me, I need to write down my expenses for the week. :) Ha! I love pens that “ooze” ink. You’re right on about the feeling about pen on paper.

Which reminds me, I need to write down my expenses for the week. :)

]]> By: John Whiteside http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-69331 John Whiteside Thu, 10 May 2007 22:37:22 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-69331 Another note on electronic lists: PRINT THEM OUT. You never know when your technology will fail you in ways that a piece of paper rarely does. Another note on electronic lists: PRINT THEM OUT. You never know when your technology will fail you in ways that a piece of paper rarely does.

]]> By: Nicole http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-69193 Nicole Thu, 10 May 2007 17:42:10 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-69193 I agree 100%. I love lists. Always have. One negative I will say is people sometimes look at me funny because they think it is too "low tech". They will say things like, "Hmm, I'm surprised you don't have a Palm." But don't worry, I won't succumb to "palm pressure". I agree 100%. I love lists. Always have. One negative I will say is people sometimes look at me funny because they think it is too “low tech”. They will say things like, “Hmm, I’m surprised you don’t have a Palm.” But don’t worry, I won’t succumb to “palm pressure”.

]]> By: Greg http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68818 Greg Thu, 10 May 2007 01:26:24 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68818 Wow, that brought back a memory! 20 year ago I the owner of the company I worked for insisted all his managers carry around a little spiral-topped notebook in their shirt pocket. Each to-do was written down, and when completed, marked through with a single line. When more than 3 pages had items, the list was rewritten on clean pages and the older pages were marked through. Phone numbers were written inside the cover. We used to hang on to these because they were a permanent archive of what we did and when. Also, keeping the list no longer than 3 pages forced us to prioritize. Oh, and gotta love the technology! No batteries, cables, or butetooth! I am going to go back and try it again. Thanks! Wow, that brought back a memory! 20 year ago I the owner of the company I worked for insisted all his managers carry around a little spiral-topped notebook in their shirt pocket. Each to-do was written down, and when completed, marked through with a single line. When more than 3 pages had items, the list was rewritten on clean pages and the older pages were marked through. Phone numbers were written inside the cover.

We used to hang on to these because they were a permanent archive of what we did and when. Also, keeping the list no longer than 3 pages forced us to prioritize. Oh, and gotta love the technology! No batteries, cables, or butetooth!

I am going to go back and try it again. Thanks!

]]> By: Josh http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68816 Josh Thu, 10 May 2007 01:24:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68816 There's nothing quite like crossing something off a list. However, making lists isn't good advice for everyone. There are a lot of people out there who write lists as a form of procrastination. There’s nothing quite like crossing something off a list. However, making lists isn’t good advice for everyone. There are a lot of people out there who write lists as a form of procrastination.

]]> By: Hope http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68806 Hope Thu, 10 May 2007 00:50:32 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68806 After working with online lists, PDA lists, and computer lists, I realized just what you're describing and went back to a written calendar and list. It just works better for me, probably because the act of writing it imprints it somewhere the computer strokes don't. As well, if I am anxious about anything at night and it's creating insomnia, I get up and make a list of things that are bothering me, and I can sleep knowing I won't forget them the next day. Long live pen and ink! After working with online lists, PDA lists, and computer lists, I realized just what you’re describing and went back to a written calendar and list. It just works better for me, probably because the act of writing it imprints it somewhere the computer strokes don’t.

As well, if I am anxious about anything at night and it’s creating insomnia, I get up and make a list of things that are bothering me, and I can sleep knowing I won’t forget them the next day.

Long live pen and ink!

]]> By: Rodger Constandse http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68775 Rodger Constandse Wed, 09 May 2007 22:59:35 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68775 I agree that writing things down is a very good practice, but I don't think you necessarily need to do this with pen and paper to get the benefits. Just getting things out of my head and in writing is more than enough for me. I rewrite my goals every day on the computer, and it's worked really well for me. I love electronic lists because they are so easy to organize, prioritize, and update as things change. If I had to do this by hand, I would either have a very messy list :) or I would end up leaving stuff off the list, which is counterproductive when you are trying to get things out of your head. If rewriting things by hand is therapeutic for you, then that alone is reason enough to do it, but it doesn't mean you have to abandon the benefits of your electronic lists. Why not do both? I know some writers that like to develop most of their material on paper, but they still type it up on their PC when they are ready to start editing it :) I agree that writing things down is a very good practice, but I don’t think you necessarily need to do this with pen and paper to get the benefits.

Just getting things out of my head and in writing is more than enough for me. I rewrite my goals every day on the computer, and it’s worked really well for me.

I love electronic lists because they are so easy to organize, prioritize, and update as things change. If I had to do this by hand, I would either have a very messy list :) or I would end up leaving stuff off the list, which is counterproductive when you are trying to get things out of your head.

If rewriting things by hand is therapeutic for you, then that alone is reason enough to do it, but it doesn’t mean you have to abandon the benefits of your electronic lists.

Why not do both?

I know some writers that like to develop most of their material on paper, but they still type it up on their PC when they are ready to start editing it :)

]]> By: John Whiteside http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68765 John Whiteside Wed, 09 May 2007 22:26:20 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/09/if-you-dont-like-writing-lists-buy-a-new-pen/#comment-68765 I rely on electronic lists, but my partner is a list-writer, and I've picked up the habit (a little) from him. It really does help. It doesn't replace the electronic lists for me, though, because I tend to put things I need to remember to do six months from now on them - and it organizes that stuff. Another good habit I picked up from him is the Notebook. The Notebook is dedicated to notes from meetings and calls, brainstorming ideas, that sort of thing. I carry it around & it's useful both as a focusing tool and a record of all those meetings, conversations, etc. I rely on electronic lists, but my partner is a list-writer, and I’ve picked up the habit (a little) from him. It really does help. It doesn’t replace the electronic lists for me, though, because I tend to put things I need to remember to do six months from now on them - and it organizes that stuff.

Another good habit I picked up from him is the Notebook. The Notebook is dedicated to notes from meetings and calls, brainstorming ideas, that sort of thing. I carry it around & it’s useful both as a focusing tool and a record of all those meetings, conversations, etc.

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