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.