I got to thinking the other day, “Are we more or less organized (productive) now that we have smartphones?”
Reason for my question: I find myself thinking I should be able to do my entire job on my phone. I mean it is a smartphone – and does everything my computer does (basically)…
I manage email, texts, voicemail, projects and tasks. But am I managing them as well as I can when sitting in front of my big monitor?
For me – the answer is NO! In fact, I think I’m less organized and less productive when you throw the smartphone into the mix. For me it all comes down to real estate. If something is open and visible, there is a better chance I’m seeing it throughout the day and that I’ll remember it. On my computer there is a greater chance I will have something visible. On my phone – everything is closed. The only way I will see something is to open programs and look through them.
This is why I actually make paper lists when my task list gets out of control. I can carry it around and look at it throughout the day to make sure I’m working on the things that matter.
On electronic devices, it’s too easy to close the program, file things away and lose track of them. Unfortunately for me, out of sight is out of mind…
I understand this is just my opinion. There are probably people out there that do everything on their phones. More power to them.
But for me, I think organization and productivity get more problematic in the following way:
- Paper: Helps me stay the most organized and productive.
- Laptop with large monitor: I’m getting better at keeping stuff organized with Outlook, Excel and other project management software.
- Tablets: Mainly a distraction at this point. Fun for multi-media and games. And I check my email every now and then.
- Smartphone: Information comes and goes. If I don’t address it immediately its gone (texts and voicemails). Luckily if it is an email, it’s still in my Inbox and gets taken care of when I get back to my laptop. Excellent device for keeping up on Twitter and allows for real-time searching for directions, food, products, etc. when you aren’t at your laptop. Makes me much less bored in lines at stores and at long red lights…
I find it amazing that as smaller and smaller devices come out, my ability to stay organized and be productive actually decreases.
Is it just me?
