JBot Mania

So, I’m trying my best to implement GTD (Getting Things Done) and it’s going somewhat well. Things are out of my head certainly. Now my biggest hurdle—procrastination and a lack of discipline. These would be the harder hurdles to overcome.

As I found myself, yet again, being somewhat overtaken by my bills, I decided that I really needed the tickler file component. I had gotten as far as the lists, using a great site called Vitalist, but the tickler file was a little harder to get started. Why? How could a collection of 43 folders be that difficult to accomplish? Well, I’m in my first house and it’s pretty much in shambles so I have gotten pretty picky about the way things look because some things just look plain bad. I wanted something swanky and chic, and, oh, I don’t know, functional. Something I could neatly fit in my kitchen or living room and that did NOT involve black plastic. I was saddened by how few choices there were.

My major criteria were:

• Attractive
• Small
• Freestanding

After much searching, I found the following:

The pros:

• Sturdy
• Freestanding
• Attractive
• Small
• Portable

The cons:

• Does not have 43 slots
• Current slots are too small for letter sized folders

It’s not a total failure, though. It’s close… and hopefully there is a cigar.

What I am proposing might seem a little radical BUT, with a small pair of scissors, some cardboard and a glue gun, I think this could work.

First, I am going to strip out the superfluous innards of this stylish tote. Then, I am going to get some nice sturdy cardboard to add in my own sides that will be wide enough for letter sized folders. That should just about get what I want.

This design not only retrofits this particular carrier, but it also allows you to easily maneuver your daily and monthly file folders without having to readjust the whole pile every day. Imagine having 43 slots that you’d have to rotate a good chunk of every day. Not a pleasant thing to look forward to. In fact, it might make you quit this all together if you’re at all as easily stymied by life’s little challenges as I am.

I’m excited by this prospect. So easy and so attractive, kind of like m… Well, anyway. It’s worth a shot.

I’ll let you know how it turns out, with pictures and all.