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Anne Gennett
Which “system” is best?
It’s the question I get most often, and there are devotees in every camp, but I like to think there is no one-way to go, it really all depends on you. I learn so much from my clients. They are a constant reminder that everyone’s different. Their style, their needs, their work. So trying to make everyone fit into a one-size-fits-all system really doesn’t work. When I work with someone, the key is to create a system that supports them in what they do and how they do it.
For example, my travel agent clients have lots of hard deadlines and follow-up with their customers, so they need lots of client folders right at their fingertips and a calendar they can trust. My doctor clients travel around between offices, so personal digital assistants and the ability to keep a current calendar is key. My corporate communications client have huge amounts of reference materials, which have to be accessible at a moments notice, so setting up and maintaining a great filing system were key. Other clients, who are less mobile and work primarily in one office, might work with a paper system, adding action items to lists or dropping them into folders.
Then there’s the “hardware” of your system. Everyone has personal preferences. Some clients like the feel of paper and chose to use a paper planner; others go a little more high-tech and use any of a variety of personal digital assistants. Still others like and trust a system that’s based on a variety of hardware, whether it be paper, PDA, Blackberry, sticky notes or file folders. When I work with a client I like to spend time talking about what they currently use and why. How does that support them? Are they computer savvy or happier with a paper and paper? The key is to use what you like and trust. You can always change the “hardware” later, after you’ve gotten some of the new behaviors under your belt. In the beginning, why make the learning curve steeper than it has to be?
There is no one right way, except for the system that works for you. Sure, there are benefits and drawbacks to everything, but isn’t that the way with everything in life? So, it really helps to get clear on how you work, what you need and what you like when designing your system. It should work for you, not against you……if you’re spending more time feeding your system than using it, you might want to re-evaluate. There’s lots of ways to go, so spending the time to figure out what will support you is worth it in the long run. And, remember, nothing in life is permanent, so I’m a big fan of trying something out, seeing how it fits, and tweaking it on the backend. But you’ve got to start somewhere, and I’d be delighted to help…
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