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Debbie Williams is an organizing strategist and founder of OrganizedTimes.com. She is the author of  "Common Sense Organizing" from Champion Press.

Will a PDA help with organization

Question: I've been thinking about getting a PDA to keep myself more organized with my calendar and phone numbers. Would you recommend it? Or should I just stick to my planner?
Katherine

Answer: PDAs are a wonderful way to organize your schedule, calendar and contact list. Although they are not for everyone, they can keep you moving forward and on track, since they automatically rollover your "to do" list for you.

However, if you are a linear thinker, needing to see the big picture for planning and goal setting, consider using your PDA in combination with your planner or at least have a calendar on hand for reference. I know of several planner companies that sell an insert for your planner binder to house a PDA for those who prefer to use both tools.

I'm one of those linear thinkers, and managed to combine the technology and ease of use of my PDA with that of the old planner. I'm a list maker, so I missed the long-hand writing features of my planner-- now I carry a small planner in my totebag to write down notes, capture ideas, and plan special projects. You can do the same with existing pages in your planner, or you can purchase blank tabs and label them yourself for customized planning.

The PDAs today are, at the very least, a wonderful way to keep an up-to-date address book, and manage your to do's without lots of erasing and carrying forward on your part. But their features go beyond the basics nowadays, with built-in alarms to keep you on task, wireless internet and even more.

I highly recommend trying out as many PDAs in the electronic stores as you can before you take one home. That way you can see firsthand whether or not it feels right for you. And if it doesn't meet your personal organizing needs, don't hesitate to return it to the store. It's not for everyone. In fact, NO time management system is one-size-fits-all! That's the beauty of all those wonderful products available -- we can pick one here, another one there, and the combinations are endless.

Keep on tweaking it until you find the best system for YOU. Best of luck to you!

Good luck,
Debbie Williams

Also see:

  • Ask Debbie your questions
  • Recently answered questions
  • Use technology to simplify your life