Hello! It looks like you’re trying to make it through an entire workweek without taking notes.
…
Would you like some help?
If only we still had Clippy to promptly and reliably show up any time we need a reminder that, no, you don’t need to perfectly remember, at all times, exactly what to do and how to do it.
Clippy was the best of us, because he reminded us that no one has a perfect working memory.
No one.
If it seems like they do, I’m betting they either have a great system, or a great PA with a great system.
Even the best of us are nothing without a practice of writing things down.
Sure, you might know how to write a letter without any help, but do you know how to create a CV? If you know how to write a letter AND create a CV without any help - do you remember all the things you agreed to do on that call yesterday? Can you do all of those things right now without any reminders, notes, or “jogging your memory” reviews?
No, and that’s normal. No one has a perfect memory.
So whatever you’re good at, great. And whatever you need help in remembering: Write it down. Or enlist help that writes it down for you and reminds you later.
A note from Rachel: Also, what a red flagit is to be a person who doesn’t take notes, share notes, or have a system of any kind for recording what they said they would do. 🚩 You’re telling me you remember exactly every step of how you do that specific thing, and you can do that every single time without an issue? You remember everything you promised to do on that call today? Really?
TL;DR: You are not better than taking your own damn notes.
We’ve written before about how much we like using different apps and tools to stay organised. But let’s go back to basics for a bit with a story about the plant version of Clippy - Planta.
I used to be terrible with plants. I mean, really bad. Excluding a cactus or two, I have consistently managed to kill every house plant I have ever owned, even the ones they say you can’t. I guess I’m just talented.
But I wanted to change that - plus I thought some greenery would be nice. But with my history, I needed some help. So after a friend's recommendation, I gave Planta a try.
Turns out the secret to plant care isn’t being a naturally-born green thumb. It’s about the practice of noting down what you did, and remembering when to do it again.
Water. Mist. Fertilise. Repeat.
The art of writing things down has been popular since the start of civilisation for a reason—it works.
Writing it down is the first and most important step.
Then: Remember Clippy, and find the best way to get help with what you’re not great at remembering. Slack saved for later? Yes please. Gmail inbox labels and nudges? Great. Planta notifications? Ding.
With just a few helping hands, apps, and lists, we can become the organised humans Clippy always knew we could be.
Peter and Andrea for Nice Work
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