I’m just going to tell you up front: My Secret Weapon is a white board.
I know. It’s disappointing enough to just close this article and find something else. Wonder what the Amazon lightning deal is right now? It has to be more interesting than a white board.
I get it!! Give me a chance here.
Game Changer.
Adding a white board to my home office really has been game changing for me. I make a “things to do” list on it every day. I even add some “stretch goals” just in case I get everything done and I want to be super productive. When I get done, I erase tasks. It gives me a weird sense of accomplishment. It is not the only tool I use for organizing, but it has become a hugely important part of my day to day life and getting things done.
“Why should *I* the reader care about your white board?” I’m getting there! I swear! Just hang with me.
They laughed at me.
At a previous job, I wanted a white board. The response? They laughed. Of course, that’s not all. I was told they were unwilling to pay for it. I could buy it myself but I would need someone professional to hang it. I asked if I could take something down that I didn’t use and replace it since there were already holes there. That got lost in subcommittee. No one said “no” but you’re getting the “no” vibe, right?
Just be like everyone else.
Just use Google Calendar, they said. What about Google Keep? Have you tried Evernote? What about Tasker? Just use something on your phone or your computer. The next thing you know you’re going to want to use PAPER! BWAHAHAHAHA. What kind of moron uses paper?
(Insert and raise emoji.) This kind of moron.
I’m not like everyone else.
Newsflash: I’m not like everyone else. I like to use paper. I like my non-fiction books to come in hardback so I can take notes inside them. I write in a journal. I have plenty of digital tools but sometimes I just like physical things.
Other newsflash: there’s nothing wrong with that.
What is YOUR Secret Weapon?
As you’ve been reading this, you’ve been thinking about it. You know what I’m talking about. In the back of your mind is your own personal white board, that thing you know will help you. Some of you have already hung your board but others are still digging for the courage to push hard enough to get what they need. Keep pushing, friend.
If you build it, they will come.
When you find your secret weapon, people will come knocking. They’ll tell you about Evernote or Siri Notifications and how your secret weapon is killing trees or ruining walls. They’ll have a stack of reasons why you should do things THEIR way instead of YOUR way. You can still listen. You don’t have to be a jerk. In listening, you might even learn a thing or two; however, you don’t have to follow every suggestion someone sends you on Instagram. You don’t have to listen to every hater that drops a line. You don’t have to rearrange your life to make someone else happy.
It’s okay to be you. It’s okay to have a white board. It’s okay to have your OWN secret weapon. Don’t wait for the approval of others. Hang that thing and get to work.
I still use a checkbook sized calendar & write all appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, kid’s activities, etc in it. I call it my life book. Yes, I’ve been told I could use my phone, but, I too like my paper copy, thank you!