The sensible 3x5 cardfile box, filled with its user-friendly little file-it-and-forget-it reminders, was the organization system first recommended in Sidetracked Home Executives in 1977. Out of the ever-growing struggle with lists came an answer for staying on track! Here we invite all its users to chat about their own personalized files.
That helpful explanation was written for us by Indiana and sums up the fondness we have for the cardfile.
Whether you are starting, starting over or tweaking your cardfile - or the form that your cardfile has taken lately - join in and chat here.
I'm just starting out. I read about the card system this past week and think it's something that will work for me. I went to a dollar store today and found colored index cards but no card boxes so I'll have to go to an office store this week. I'm excited to have something tangible to help me stay on task.
Welcome, Joan. For a long while, I used a shoebox. Facing the long side, I can put two sets of cards. One side is the card file of tasks, and thdd ed other side holds scrap paper, extra cards, etc.
You know I should investigate the card file. I was very successful years ago with the morning routine and zone missions. Went from messy kid house full of clutter to respectful and kept it that way for a few years and then I started working.
I'm done painting my ds room now I can focus on cleaning and decluttering.
Yes I agree with the shoebox or anything of suitable size. Using what is around is functional. Good luck getting started Joan and welcome.
I'm always attracted to the idea of a cardfile but in practice I won't use it. I do love me some office supplies. For a.m. routine, dailies, p.m. routine, weeklies and monthlies I use Remember the Milk. I honestly don't do much cleaning. I have a cleaning lady every two weeks, and I don't do zone jobs except when I see they need them.
I love having index cards around and have a batch in my planner for jotting notes to people.
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better [wo]man. Ben Franklin
This is what i was thinking when I chatted with JoanThursday about cardfile yesterday :
I am a cardfile user and certainly recommend it for a calmer household. I've been thinking we need a dedicated nuts-and-bolts of the cardfile thread again. So many of us are so used to our cards that we don't discuss it enough on a basic level.
JoanThursday, I don't usually quote myself.
First book of P and P was Sidetracked Home Executives and they showed the revolutionary (seriously - I think so) cards and each card had a chore/task, pretty much. So of course there are lots of cards that way and a very simplified life, in that you sort into daily monthly weekly and as you reach a card you do it. How cool and calm is that.
In 1989 they published Get Your Act Together and first showed the concept I use:
Grouped tasks on a card,
so that you might, for instance, have one card with everything to do to keep up one room, or everything to do to complete one chore like mopping, even if it was at several places in the house.
Later, they published (not a book, exactly) a sort of kit they called Organized From the Inside Out, which included ready-made printed cards with grouped tasks. It's not available anywhere any more that I know of.
A shoebox is a great idea! I discovered a few youtube videos to watch about how to set up the card system. I'll watch them tonight or skim through them to get a visual idea before I sit down and write them out!
OHHHH I love thinking and chatting about P&P card file system. I have used it for a couple of decades. I do love holding the 3x5" index cards and I use them when struggling. When things are going well, I use a digital version of the cards because they are portable & easier to manage a large number of cards.
My #1 piece of advice is to start small and let it grow as needed. There is something about completing the cards that brings joy to the day. Experiencing that good feeling will become addictive. Consistent success brings results quickly even if starting with only 1 card in the card file. Add another card each day if you can handle more.
Stay motivated. Success loves persistence.
Learn to sing & dance in the rain.
