Today, I’m excited to share a glimpse into my process for getting things done. I’ll be outlining the main tools I use in 2024. This is just the beginning - stay tuned for future posts where I’ll dive deeper into each product, how I use them, and even a trip down memory lane with products I’ve used in the past.

The Foundation of Getting Things Done

We all know that the first step to productivity is doing less. The second step, however, is crafting a system that works for you. This usually involves a task or to-do list and a central place to store notes and documents. For the past 15 years, I’ve been a disciple of the GTD (Getting Things Done) philosophy and have experimented with numerous applications and methods. Every December, I take a look back at the apps I use and the process I follow, and I look for ways to improve my “Personal Management System”. If you’re like my wife, you might shudder at the term “Personal Management System”. But if you’re also like my wife, then you’re not very organized, always late, and could probably benefit from one or more of these tools.

My 2024 Productivity Combo

This year, I’ve settled on a combination that might seem a bit unconventional: Google Keep, Obsidian, and OneDrive. Let me explain why.

Google Keep: The Ultimate Capture System

Google Keep is my go-to for capturing everything. Its integration with Google Assistant makes it easy to add items to lists or capture ideas quickly without touching any interface. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with all Google apps, making it a powerful tool in the Google ecosystem. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Notes is equally a great place to capture and organize notes and lists. When I’m out and about with my phone and I have an idea, I simply talk to Google Assistant or Siri to add notes to my capture system. I also use this method to capture events, reminders, and timers, which also helps my daily flow.

Obsidian: The Note-Taking Powerhouse

Obsidian handles all my note-taking needs. I have multiple Obsidian vaults for different aspects of my life: work, home (personal and personal business ventures), and private journaling. I organize my notes using a modified PARA method, which I call PADA: Projects, Areas, Daily, and Archive.

Every day, Obsidian automatically creates a daily note for me to fill out. Here, I journal, track my lifestyle, exercise, and add new to-do items. The best part? Reminders only pop up when I open Obsidian, keeping distractions at bay.

OneDrive: The Document Vault

For documents that don’t fit into Obsidian, like PDFs and bills, I turn to OneDrive. It’s organized in the same PADA structure, making it easy to find what I need. Plus, scanning documents directly into OneDrive using lens programs is a breeze. OneDrive also offers a folder style personal vault that can be locked and encrypted which I can use to store my entire Obsidian private journal. Other cloud drives may work just as well and maybe we’ll touch on those in future articles.

So, for now, that’s my magical trio. I’ll stick with these three tools through the end of the year until I reassess things again in December. This is a continuous process and I enjoy doing it. I’ll do my best to bring you along on this journey if you’re interested in getting your things done with the least amount of friction.

Stay tuned for more in-depth posts about these tools and my productivity journey. Until then, keep getting things done and remember, a well-organized life is a happy life! 😊