The Hipster PDA

Following my post on printing kGTD actions to index cards I thought it would be a good idea to write a brief post about my favorite organizational tool – the humble stack of index cards or Hipster PDA .

Popularized by Merlin Mann of 43folders , the hPDA was used by my mother back in the early 70’s when she worked as an estate agent. It comprises a stack of about 20 index cards clipped together with a binder clip. I started using it about a year ago as a type of notebook/organizer and I’ve tried a whole bunch of snazzy printed cards since then. While a number of these cards were useful, I’ve come to realize that most of them can simply be drawn out on a plain card in less time than it takes to print one, and with more flexibility. So why bother?

My current hPDA comprises:

• A Printout of my weekly fixed timetable showing my University lectures, regular air cadet events and a few other fixed appointments. I made the timetable in OmniGraffle and printed it onto a blank index card.
• A food shopping list containing foods I often need to buy and the ingredients for my four or five staple meals. I use this as a sort of reminder if I’m in a shop – running through the list reminds me if I’m out of anything on it.
• My Next Actions list printed from kGTD.
• A simple separator with a blue “E” tab poking out the side. This separates the blank cards from the others and has my phone number, national insurance number and RAF service number written on it.
• Ten large post-it notes stuck to the back of the separator.
• A handful of business cards along with a few more in my wallet.
• Three of four red index cards for writing really important things on. Any red cards get my attention as soon as I get home, all the others go into my inbox.
• About fifteen poor quality Tesco index cards for everything else.

This whole lot is held together with a shiny red binder clip and lives in my back left pocket most of the time. When I get home I throw all the cards with notes and scribbles into my inbox, and action any red ones. To sum up, here are some of the pros and cons of the hipster:

Pros

• I always have my next actions list on me.
• I never need to write on scraps of paper or napkins.
• I can always give written information to someone.
• Everything is clipped together in one pocket, it’s hard to lose.
• It never crashes.

Cons

• It’s very difficult to back up the hand-written stuff in it.
• It gets wet very very easily.