Alright folks. In my last email I was busy explaining how awesome my tickler file was. Today, I promised I would show you how I use it.
I have found three major uses of the tickler file so far. Here are some examples.
I am editing a book at the moment. I have printed off a draft and have simply placed a few pages in each folder. It forces me to actually edit the pages. Until the tasks are complete, today’s folder can’t move to the back where it belongs.
The tickler file is great for repeated tasks! I have a legal sheet of paper that travels through the file which reminds me to perform my banking, change the return air filter vent, etc. Very simple, very effective.
Now for the big one. This is my sales follow up secret. When I make contact with someone in my database (which is on my computer) that contact receives a full-size sheet of paper from a legal pad. On the paper I write the contact’s name, how I contacted them, and what date I will contact them next.
At the end of the day, I simply file that sheet in the correct day, and when that day arrives, there it is. No excuses. The contact must be followed up on.
It works for me. There is the important lesson. No matter how you structure your productivity, you should do whatever works for you. Not because you saw it on the internet, or read it in some book. No goo-rooo methods that you hear about on a podcast will work for you. YOU must decide what best fits with who you are and work with that system.
Jonathan