I used to write a lot for classes in high school and college. The writing tapered off in veterinary school and almost came to a complete stop after graduation. Medical records are written with abbreviations, notes, and incomplete sentences. Unless I'm writing a referral report, paragraphs have no place in medical records. Frankly, I think the other doctors prefer the abbreviated versions, not the long proses.
One reason I took up journal writing was to practice my writing skills. Actually, it started as a way to practice handwriting skills as that, too, was falling on the wayside as computers took over most aspects of my life. Hence my interest in paper journals and pens. I soon learn that even though my handwriting is still pretty good, I had forgotten how to write things coherently and succinctly. I still don't do it well but, at least, I am working on it and blogging is a good outlet for it.
Outliners had always been a great help with my writing. I used Bonsai back in the days when I thought it was the answer to my GTD implementation (I was wrong). I was clearing out my Palm OS application folder when I came upon Bonsai again. Lo and behold, within minutes, Bonsai spat out an outline for the Canine Vehicle Safety Restraint System review.
It feels good to have a big picture of where I'm going with the review. The ability to carry this outline in my Treo is a bonus. I've been known to get the writing bug while waiting in lines, dental appointments, etc... With Bonsai, I can access the outline and work on the review on my Treo. Bonsai has a lot of feature (to do's, etc...) but I'm only using it for the traditional basic outliner.I stopped looking for a jack of all trade software. Why use an outliner to manage tasks when I already have something for that?
I'm using an outliner to create outlines. Big revelation, I know :)
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Interesting observation
ReplyDelete> I stopped looking for a jack of all trade software.
> Why use an outliner to manage tasks when I already
> have something for that?
> I'm using an outliner to create outlines. Big revelation, I know :)
Outlines are so powerful it's always tempting to use them for other things like todo lists. But just plain old outlining is pretty powerful.
On the other hand, one thing I've found in using an outliner to manage my tasks is that it's very flexible. My task management needs change from month to month. Sometimes I'm really busy with a lot of little things that need to get done and some times I have 2 or 3 big projects that require deep thought. Using a rigid implementation of the GTD system doesn't run the gamut, but using an outliner does because I can apply GTD principles to the specific situation.
Flexibility of an outliner is a double-edged sword. I can configure it to meet my needs but, at the same time, I also risk molding the things I need to fit into the outliner's features. So instead of looking to see how an outliner can do what I need to have done, I end up looking for ways in my task management system where I can use the outliner. I have a hard time controlling the tinkering urge :)
ReplyDeleteUltimately, it is finding the tool that works best for you. It's great that you are able to use outliners to manage your tasks.