Chapter 1: Understanding the Struggle

Organization tools like day planners and lists can often trigger anxiety for many individuals. However, I have come to realize that I genuinely need these tools, and I believe I have found a way to make them work for me.

“I have a deep appreciation for notebooks; my collection includes an array of styles — from elegant to standard, large to small, and everything in between.”

I am a true notebook enthusiast. My collection features everything from fancy journals to basic school notebooks. Each time I purchase a new planner or notebook, I am convinced it will be the one that finally brings me the organization I crave.

For a fleeting moment, I feel a rush of optimism, believing I will now be perfectly organized. Yet, as has happened countless times before, that excitement soon fades into disappointment, followed by a sense of defeat when I realize that this new tool has not solved my disorganization.

At one point, I even attempted bullet journaling. It seemed like a fun, colorful way to organize my thoughts, but for someone who struggles with pre-printed planners and lacks artistic skills, it quickly turned into a frustrating experience. I barely lasted two days before giving up.

Now, my shelves are cluttered with unused notebooks and partially filled planners, serving as reminders of my past failures. While I should probably clean them out, I find it difficult to choose between ignoring their presence or throwing them away and admitting my struggle with organization.

Currently, I tell myself that my frequent travels leave little time for planning. I often have more pressing tasks to tackle when I'm at home, leading me to believe that notebooks are unnecessary. I convince myself that I can remember everything without writing it down.

However, this assumption has proven to be ineffective. I have forgotten appointments, payment deadlines, and important reminders. Though I like to believe I was once organized, that perception was misleading. In reality, I was simply following the structured environment of my job, not truly managing my time or tasks.

Now, without that structure in my life, I find myself feeling lost and overwhelmed. I recognize the need to stay informed about my responsibilities and their timelines.

To address this, I have decided to use a straightforward approach: a simple coil-bound notebook for my lists and a basic monthly/weekly planner for deadlines.

The key here is simplicity. My list is just that — a straightforward compilation of tasks without specific dates or sequences. I jot down items as they come to mind, allowing for flexibility.

I have established two simple rules for myself:

1. I will check my list once daily to see if any items require immediate attention.
2. Each task must either be scheduled in my planner and crossed off or marked off because I've completed it.

That's all there is to it. I add to my list as needed, and once a day I either transfer tasks to my planner or mark them as done. This method allows me to effectively utilize both tools without overwhelming myself.

I no longer have a planner filled with random notes that require sifting through to find important thoughts. Instead, I have a consolidated list of tasks in one place, making it easy to track progress.

So far, after just four days of this new system, it seems to be working well. I have successfully crossed off items or recorded them in my planner, alleviating the constant feeling of forgetting something important. I keep my notebook accessible to jot down thoughts and address them during my daily review.

Having this list has significantly reduced my anxiety about unfinished tasks. I am also working on keeping my planner updated with bills and birthdays, and as long as I tackle these gradually, I believe it will come together.

For now, I will focus solely on this scheduling method, allowing it to become a habit without rushing to add complexity. Keeping things simple is my priority.

Chapter 2: Embracing Change

In this video, explore the challenges faced by superyacht owners and how they seek innovative solutions to enhance their business strategies.

Watch this engaging debate on the quest for innovation in the modern world and discover various perspectives on how to drive change effectively.