Paper Organizing | Best Results Organizing

Why the Humble Bankers Box is Still the MVP of Office Organization

Posted on: July 14th, 2025 by Julie Bestry | 14 Comments

My blog posts aren’t usually love letters to a company or product, but as the result of a few particular client sessions lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Bankers Box. Back in August, 2010, I wrote a post called This Is Not Your Grandfather’s Bankers Box. Fifteen years on, let’s consider this post the cooler, smarter grandchild, the one who knows how live in the digital world, but appreciates the value of archiving some documents with more eco-friendly, aesthetically appealing, heavier-duty, multi-functional solutions.

But still, it all starts with the name: Bankers Box, no apostrophe. What does that name call to mind for you?

Bankers’ reputations have never been stellar. Think of Mr. Potter, George Bailey’s nemesis in It’s a Wonderful Life in the 1940s, or picture Edith Bunker walking into a “friendly” bank, circa fifty years ago:

Jump across the pond and back another 50 years, and you find Mr. George Banks, Mary Poppins‘ quintessentially stuffy banker, employed by the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank:

“A British bank is run with precision. A British home requires nothing less! Tradition, discipline and rules must be the tools! Without them: disorder… catastrophe! Anarchy! In short, you have a ghastly mess!”

Perhaps it’s these negative images of bankers that often left my clients dubious over the past 24 years when I’ve suggested that they might benefit from using Bankers Boxes. Some (younger) clients had never heard of them; others felt like they must have only been in use in large corporate storage rooms, or law office archives.

For those who know about them at all, it’s no surprise that a document storage solution originally designed — and named — for bankers, would have an equally stuffy, stodgy, conservative reputation. But they have a cool history and seemingly secure future.

THE HISTORY OF THE BANKERS BOX

The Bankers Box brand has a rich history. Let’s time travel backward 108 years to 1917.

Recent university graduate Walker Nickel got a job selling bank record file boxes, but nobody wanted to buy them because they were so badly designed! Unable to get his boss to consider making modifications, Nickel quit and struck out on his own, designing and manufacturing a file box out of a hardy new construction material — corrugated fibreboard — which better fit the standard-sized forms that banks were using. Cranky banker clients smiled!

Nickel worked out of an office building in the tailoring district of Chicago, where he met Harry Fellowes, a tailor in residence who was looking for new opportunities. The two men initially struck up an acquaintance in an elevator, and Fellowes came to learn more about Nickel’s business.

Jump ahead about half a year. In April 1918, Fellowes saw Nickel packing up his office; the latter man had just been called up to serve in World War I. The men struck a deal, and Fellowes bought Nickel’s company, primarily the inventory, for $121.40, mostly for inventory. This is an improbably small amount, only $2584.49 in today’s buying power, especially for what became a major office supply powerhouse.

The Bankers Box Company was eventually renamed Fellowes Brands in the 1980s to better reflect their expansion beyond filing supplies and into shredding (which is kind of the opposite of filing, right?), binding, laminating, air purifying, and ergonomic solutions. (Sadly, I could find no further information about Walter Nickel.)

Fellowes’ relatively small investment had great potential, as the 16th Amendment (allowing taxation of individuals and corporations) had just been ratified in 1913. People and businesses were going to have to start archiving and coming up with a lot more permanent document storage, as they’d have close to a century to wait before cloud storage would show up.

Even if you’ve never used one, you know the Bankers Box. Your mind’s eye probably painted a picture that looked much like this:

Boring? Maybe. Stuffy? Paper Doll won’t disagree. But you can’t deny the simple, practical benefits of the traditional Bankers Box Stor/File.

THE BENEFITS OF BANKERS BOXES

In a world where the first storage solution people consider tends to be a plastic, lidded tub, a Bankers Box may seem to be a strange choice for singing praises. Aren’t they old-fashioned? Aren’t they less sturdy? Aren’t they bad for the environment?

Well, yes (and not always, and surprisingly no). Bankers Boxes have some distinct advantages.

Bankers Boxes are tougher than they look.

Bankers Boxes are surprisingly sturdy, even for their lower-end, “basic duty” weight storage box.

At 10.5″ high x 12.5″ wide x 15″ deep, the Stor/File has a stacking weight of 450 pounds, suitable for “moderate” stacking or shelving. It’s made for letter and legal sized paper filing, pretty much any document you need to store or archive for long-term.

Bankers Boxes come flat-packed and are easy to assemble.

In fact, I sometimes think the illustrations for assembling a box are more complicated than the steps themselves.

(Unlike something you might get from IKEA, at least you don’t end up wishing you’d studied Swedish in school.)

Judging from recent client experience, it only takes about a minute to put one together. You start by opening everything up and separating the lid from the box at the perforations, and then separating two other connections. Fold the big bottom piece in, then fold in the exterior bottom (which is attached to the two interior side flaps, and flip everything over.

Wait, that’s probably confusing, too. How about a video?

Sadly, the video doesn’t show how to fold the lid into existence, but it’s as simple as folding at all of the scored lines and tucking everything in. If you can make hospital corners on your bed, the Bankers Box lid is just as simple.

Well, for most people.

I should note, right around the time I wrote The Great Mesozoic Law Office Purge of 2015: A Professional Organizer’s Family Tale, I was working in one room while Paper Mommy and our close friend Jennie were working in another. I’d assigned them what I thought was the relatively simple task of setting up some Bankers Boxes, only to later follow the sound of giggling to find that at 79- and 91-years-old, they might not best be left unsupervised for this kind of project. Picture Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory.

For people like Paper Mommy and Jennie, some of the Bankers Boxes are now manufactured with FastFold technology, and can be put together even more quickly with what might be considered a pop and lock approach. (No, not the hip-hop dance moves.)

Oh, and if or when you don’t need a particular Bankers Box anymore? You can just reverse the process and make it flat again! For example, let’s say you have a box of paperwork related to a project that didn’t go forward or stored catalogs that will never be needed again. You could just pile up the empty boxes until you fill them again, but the glorious thing is that you don’t have to!

Bankers Boxes are manufactured without glue and require no tape for assembly.

Creepy crawly creatures love nibbling at glue. I always advise clients that in general, cardboard is a bad choice for long-term storage, particularly of documents. A plastic/rubber/resin lidded tub is often the best choice, particularly if you are going to store things in an attic, garage, or basement, but even in office or closet storage, cardboard boxes manufactured with glue are a no-no, as that glue is a clarion all to tiny things with too many legs.

Additionally, most boxes require require packing tape to put them together, meaning you’ll have adhesive on the bottoms and sides of even an open box. However, by using a Bankers Box, put together solely by folding panels into place, you end up with a sturdy box, dependable and useful for long-term document storage, sans icky, gooey, bug-inviting adhesives.

Bankers Boxes are relatively inexpensive.

Bankers Box is a brand-named product, so it’s going to be somewhat pricier than generic or store-brand versions. Still, for example, a 12-pack of the basic, white Stor/File version is $38.98 at Amazon, or $3.25/box. Walmart has a 10-pack for $18.74, or $1.87/each. (Don’t ask me to explain pricing options. That’s a capitalism issue, not an organizing one.)

MYTHS AND SURPRISING TRUTHS ABOUT BANKERS BOXES

If you haven’t given a glance to a Bankers Box since you sneezed your way through the file room storage boxes at an internship sometime in the late 20th century, you may be surprised by how Bankers Boxes have changed and advanced.

Myth #1: You can’t use hanging folders with Bankers Boxes

Of course, what people mean when they say you can’t use hanging folders to organize files in a Bankers Box is that, unlike with typical plastic file crates, hanging-file desk-top boxes and plastic boxes designed for file storage, the original Bankers Box didn’t have file rails.

True enough. The traditional box merely folds into place leaving you with, well, a box — a big empty space into which you can throw papers, or hopefully, stand your files upright.

If you’re transferring a filing cabinet or desk drawer full of files all at once, the box will fill and the sheer volume of file folders, pressed against one another, keeps them from falling down.

Because the traditional boxes have nowhere to place the hooks for hanging folders, you generally have to remove your manila file folders from their hanging folder homes in the filing drawers to move them to the boxes. It may take quite a while and yield paper cuts. And what if you only have a handful of folders? Yeah, no, the Stor/File may not be your best bet.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of organizing file luck.

Enter the Bankers Box Hang’N’Store™. The Hang’N’Stor is one level up from the basic-duty Stor/File; it’s considered medium-duty, with stacking strength up to 550 pounds.

It’s a time-saver, as you can quickly transfer folders (like client files, the past year’s invoices, etc.) from active storage in your filing cabinet to inactive/archive storage without having to remove your tabbed manila folders from the hanging folders!

The Hang’N’Stor is still packed flat for easy shipping and supply storage, and designed with Banker Boxes’ FastFold methodology for easy assembly.

The letter-sized (9.75″H x 12.25″W x 15″D) Hang’N’Store is built to allow hanging files to tightly hang over the box edges. Grab your active files (client files, prior years’ invoices, etc.) and move the whole organized system directly from active to archived storage without separating out individual files. A four-pack on Amazon runs $34.

The letter/legal sized Hangn’N’Store (10″H x 12″W x 15.5″D) has plastic interior channels that acted like file rails — just turn it 90° to accommodate letter vs. the legal documents.

Understandably, the file rails make these a little more expensive. Amazon carries a four-pack of the letter/legal version for $40, or $10/each, various office supply retailers.

Both styles are made of 60% recycled paper (post-consumer recycled content).

If your file drawers are overwhelmed by hanging files you must maintain for legal, financial or regulatory reasons, the Hang’N’Store offers a smooth transition.

Myth #2: Bankers Boxes can’t keep piles of papers or bound materials from falling over.

There will be times when you want to store your documents a few chunks at a time, perhaps quarterly. Other times, you want to store stacks of paper, directories, or other loose or bound material, but anything less than “full occupancy” in a traditional Bankers Box will make your documents flop over.

The Bankers Box R-KIVE Divider Box is tailor-made for this purpose. The Divider Box comes with three heavy-duty 5″ corrugated cardboard dividers designed to keep files upright, even without hanging folders, when the box is only partially full.

(Philosophical question: is your Bankers Box half-empty or half-full?)

The Divider Boxes are heavy-duty weight, with triple-end, double-side, double-bottom construction, and reinforced, tear-resistant handles for more comfortable carrying. In addition, there’s a locking lift-off lid for secure file storage.

The letter-sized (10″H x 12″W x 15″D) has a stacking weight of 850 pounds.

Myth #3: Bankers Boxes are ugly

Yes, some of the traditional boxes are un-pretty. Your grandparents’ (or even parents’) Bankers Box was either white with black, white with blue and black, or the oh-so-classy 1970’s Station Wagon “woodgrain” box with the flip-top lid, popular with attorneys and accountants (who, like bankers, are not exactly known for being the coolest cats on the playground).

Given this, I don’t blame you for being dubious that Bankers Boxes can add some style to your document storage. But the fellows at Fellowes aren’t quite as stodgy now that we’re a quarter of the way into the 21st century.

For example, the medium-duty Decorative Stor/File (10″H x 12″W x 15″ D) is a snazzy black-and white brocade-style version with a black lid that, if left in the corner of your office floor, won’t detract from your “up-and-comer” identity. There’s still space to label the contents of your box, but the box itself no longer shouts, “I’m Practical!” at the top of its corrugated lungs. A 10-pack will run you about $34 or $3.40/each at Amazon.

(There’s also a basic-duty weight version, with the same measurements, though it seems harder to purchase.)

For those who find the brocade squiggles not to their liking, there are two other decorative versions, a basic-duty weight decorative white/grey criss-crosses:

and a medium-duty weight version with pinstripes.

Aesthetics, function, and ease of use make for a not-so-stuffy delight!

Myth #4: Bankers Boxes aren’t so great for the environment

I’d call that an enviro-fib!

Bankers Boxes have a pretty good environmental record, especially compared to plastic storage resources. (Plastic is petroleum; petroleum is dead dinosaurs.)

Most of the Bankers Boxes in the basic-, medium- and heavy-duty file storage lines are made of at least 60% recycled product. However, the Bankers Box Recycled Stor/File line is made of 100% recycled materials.

For example, there’s the medium-duty Recycled Stor/File, measuring 10″H x 12″W x 15″D, and with a stacking strength of 550 pounds. There’s a longer one measuring 10″H X 12″W X 24″D.

More significantly, Fellowes/Bankers Box has an impressive Earth-friendly sustainability focus.

Myth #5: Re-stacking Bankers Boxes is a pain

The impressible stacking capacity of individual boxes, even those at basic-duty strength, still fail to solve the inevitable organizational problem: if you just pile your boxes, one on top of the other, the box you want is invariably going to be on the bottom of the stack!

I feel your aching back from here!

Certainly you can use a variety of ad hoc shelving solutions such as those designed for offices, warehouses, garages, or basements. However, there are shelving solutions designed specifically for Bankers Box-style document storage.

Fellowes’ own Stor/Drawer® Steel Plus™ line lets you remove the box lids for any of the Stor/File boxes and slide them right into stacking units, drawer-style. This set-up allows you to stack five boxes high with the assistances of a heavy wire frame that provides stability and strength for the corrugated cardboard drawers.

There are four-layer front and back panels, and removable rails for hanging files. The steel support frame for the entire unit reinforces heavy-duty the corrugated cardboard to increase durability, and the front plastic handles are reinforced for improved drawer access.

These come in letter (10.375″H X 12.5″W X 23.25″D) and legal (10.375″H x 15.5″W x 23.25″D) versions in the standard white, blue, and black, or the 100% recycled tan, green, and black, in recycled letter and recycled legal versions.

Of course, if you’re a multinational corporation and have even more archival files, Fellowes has a line of Staxonsteel® Steel Frame Heavy-Duty Storage Drawers.

You can stack ten boxes high, storing 80% more records in the same floor space, into a towering and scary, sci-fi file drawer unit.

The Staxonsteel framework interlocks both horizontally and vertically so worker bees can open the drawers to seek documents all day long. The steel stacker bars create a hardy framework that, per Fellowes, “won’t buckle, twist or bend and offer space-saving stackability with the accessibility of a filing cabinet.” The Staxonsteel drawers are designed to easily snap together with poly-lock technology.

If you’re a person, and not a ginormous conglomerate, this is overkill. So if you’re looking for something that’s somewhere between random shelves at Lowe’s and the big Fellowes shelving, consider (ProSlat) Bin Warehouse‘s box shelving. Although Bin Warehouse is better known for letting you to stack rubber/resin tubs without having to rearrange them to access something lower down, they also make ideal racks for storing boxes.

Bin Warehouse’s 8 filebox rack holds 400 pounds across two columns, eight boxes high. (Maximum box size: 12.5” wide x 10” high x 15” deep.) It’s designed to be installed right to the wall to ensure security and maximum stability. It’s available from ProSlat for $115.

An 18-box rack accommodates three columns of six boxes each, for a maximum of 1000 pounds. It’s $135 at Pro Slat or about $125 at Amazon.

BANKERS BOX ISN’T THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN, BUT…

Obviously, Bankers Box isn’t your only choice for foldable, non-glue, no-tape-needed document storage.

Almost every Big Box and online office supply store, like Staples, Office Depot, and Amazon has its own line. If you want a straightforward letter- or legal-sized box, I’m not going to tell you that an Amazon Basics box is going to leave you crying over poorly supported files. It’s not.

And cardboard certainly isn’t your only option. As we’ve covered in Paper Doll posts before, there’s a large variety of plastic, railed file boxes, and file crates to archive your documents.

Similarly, I’ve merely illustrated a fraction of what the modern Fellowes Bankers Boxes have to offer. For example, this post just looked at lift-off lid boxes, but there are myriad basic-, medium-, and heavy-duty corrugated Bankers Boxes (plus their line of plastic ones).

There are also their “String-and-Button” Bankers Boxes (which still, after all these years, have a decidedly Little House on the Prairie feel, as if velcro had never been invented) for seriously extensive and heavy-duty file archives where you don’t think you’ll ever need to tote them around for deep research.

There are flip-top boxes — if people say you’d forget your head if it weren’t attached, these Bankers Boxes with hinged, attached lids may be your style.

And this just covers Bankers Box products designed for document storage. If you’re moving house, or just storing stuffed animals until the next tiny human (or next generation) comes along, Bankers Box has basic, classic, and even tape-free Prime locking boxes. Or if you need specialty products for storing literature stacks or magazines and homework, there’s a solution for you.

Bankers Box isn’t the only game in town, but after 24 years of examining storage solutions, I say Fellowes are nice fellows, especially if you want to be planet-friendly.

DO YOU REALLY NEED TO KEEP ALL THAT PAPER?

Finally, before you seek to store oodles of paper, it’s important to stop and consider your options.

Ask yourself if you, your family, or your organization really need to save your papers. (One popular professional organizer maxim says 80% of papers stored are never retrieved or needed again.)

A good start for confidently making decisions about your paper is my classic ebook, Do I Have To Keep This Piece Of Paper? It walks you through the possibilities and questions you might have regarding the documents and fluttery pieces of paper that waft through your life.

Once you’re sure what you want to keep, consider whether you want to maintain paper records or digitize the documents. Weigh the safety and permanence of digitized documents in the cloud against the time, physical effort, and cloud storage costs to turn your paper into bits and bytes.

From there, think about the different types of paper storage, for action, reference, and archives, you hope to use. A good start is my 2024 series on paper filing and document retention.

Finally, be sure to label your document storage accurately and with useful details and dates to make retrieval and destruction procedures go more smoothly.

If you’ve got more file boxes than you can eyeball, consider creating a handwritten or (preferably) digital inventory. An Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet will be easily searchable and update-able for your needs.

Nobody is ever going to product a reality show like Love Island focused on Bankers Boxes, but for a company that started with a chance meeting in an elevator in the tailoring district of Chicago 108 years ago, Bankers Box is still pretty nifty. Oh, and if you do want to read a love letter to Bankers Box, CJ Chilver’s The Wisdom of the Bankers Box is a charming one.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may get a small remuneration (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking through to the resulting pages. The opinions, as always, are my own. (Seriously, who else would claim them?)

Paper Doll Plays Ice Cream Man: Cool Organizing and Productivity Treats for Hot Days

Posted on: July 7th, 2025 by Julie Bestry | 10 Comments

We’ve managed — perhaps with a few bumps and bruises to our productivity — to make it through one-half of the year.

Perhaps you’ve reached your goals or are on our way toward them. Maybe the temperatures and the general atmosphere in the world these days leaves you feeling indolent, and the last thing you want to think about today is striving toward yet another goal or completing another task.

I get it.

We all deserve a little fun. So today’s post is like a Popsicle on a sweltering day. There are no systems for you to implement, and no heavy-duty academic research to study. Instead, just think of today’s Paper Doll post as the ice cream truck driving through your neighborhood to make your week a little sweeter and your mood a little lighter with some surprising treats.

MOD PROTECT

Earlier this year, I wrote a five-part series on using timers to help yourself be more productive. In case you missed it, feel free to read the links below to get caught up.

But again, this is an ice cream truck; just take what you find yummy.

In part 3 of the series, when we discussed tangible timers, I shared my love of the Time Timer MOD and all of its gorgeous styles, including the Time Timer Mod Home Edition,

the MOD Home Metallic Edition,

and the various durations of the MOD Education Editions.

I handle my devices pretty gingerly and rarely worry about bonking them on the ground, but not everyone lives in an almost-entirely carpeted (hello, late 1970s construction!) apartment. Some folks have kids, or spouses or co-workers who behave like kids, or pets who tend to knock things on the floor.

Time Timer understands the frustration that comes with rough-and-tumble living. While there are already pretty protective covers in a variety of styles to cuddle the Time Timer MOD editions, they’ve now come out out with a new super-protective line: two different “fun and functional” Time Timer MOD+ Protective Cases.

Both versions partner a whimsical personality and hardy protection with (what I think is already) the niftiness of Time Timers.

Meet Bunny and Tread.

Time Timer MOD + Protect Case Bunny

Protect Case — Bunny is friendly and playful, and will appeal to little and big kids, alike. Whether you’re in kindergarten helping to develop little minds, working in various environments with with sensitive souls or neurodivergent brains, or just enjoy anything that adds something charming and fanciful to your workday and time management struggles, take a peek.

Why not serve up a fun-but-sturdy embrace for the visual time cues that keep kids and adults from staying time-blind?

Bunny is brightly colored, soft, and tailor-made for those who would prefer getting help transitioning between tasks, monitoring their own (or others’) screen time, or completing homework (or office work) from a sweet, gentle character rather than a garish, digital taskmaster.

Say hi to Bunny. (Hi, Bunny!)

Bunny measures 5.1″ high x 4.1″ wide by 2.4″ deep. The soft, removable case is made of light blue silicone, and, as you can see above, faintly bunny-shaped, creating a playful touch to surround the Time Timer MOD.

Time Timer has tested the Bunny Protect Case’s drop protection to 5 feet. So, whether you’re using it in an academic or play setting where tiny humans may drop or throw the Time Timer MOD, or you or your co-workers or family members take time-based stresses out on small, (mostly) inanimate objects, the Protect Case -— Bunny can handle it.

The Bunny’s soft silicone makes it easy for tiny hands to grip without slippage, so there’s no need to worry that your MOD investment will be lost in a smash-pow-kerplunk moment! Parents, teachers, therapists, colleagues, and tiny humans should all be delighted by the protective nature and cute appearance of the bunny.

On it’s own, the Protect Case — Bunny is $14.95 at the Time Timer website.

Additionally, you can purchase the Time Timer Rainbow Wheel MOD + Protect Case Bunny bundle for 39.95.

Time Timer notes the combined MOD and Bunny protective case bundle is:

Focused on Time Awareness — As discussed at length in my blog post series on timers, an analog approach to time helps make time visible and “real” to children and others with a less-than-concrete feel for the flow of time. The Time Timer Rainbow Wheel MOD’s rainbow-colored disk assigns a color to each five-minute increment, adding a clear, colorful cue to help discern how much time remains. This has positive implications for helping achieve smooth transitions and emotional regulation.
Especially supportive for neuro-diverse individuals — The product was created with children with ADHD, sensory sensitivities, and autism in mind, implementing a soothing, calming design.
Sensory-friendly — As Time Timer notes, “with soft bunny ears and gentle colors make time less scary and more approachable for young learners.” The sensory-friendly materials can help children who self-sooth primarily through touch.
Designed for the hard knocks of real life — As noted, when nestled inside the Bunny, the MOD Rainbow Wheel withstands tumbles, tosses, and falls up to 5 feet. (That’s almost an entire Paper Doll!)

The Time Timer Rainbow Wheel MOD + Protective Case — Bunny bundle includes One Year Premium Access to Time Timer® App.

Time Timer MOD + Protect — Tread

The Bunny is cute, but not everyone is seeking fluffy bunny mode.

Do you, your tiny humans, whimsical teens, or colleagues operate in a more rough-and-ready, active environment? If so, you or they may prefer something with a more hearty or rugged appearance.

Tread is a durable silicone case styled as a beefy tire, such as you’d see on an earth mover or big truck. It’s tailor-made for active households and busy classrooms, but is equally at home in therapy centers and workplaces where cute+tough is the right style choice. It measures 4.2″ wide by 4.2″ high by 2.4″ deep.

When I first saw the Time Timer MOD Protective Case — Tread, my immediate thought was that Workman MJ and his mom need this!

If you’re not on TikTok, you may not know Workman MJ, who first came to fame when his mom sought help convincing her toddler that workers take naps:

Over the course of just a few days, all sorts of workmen and women around the country came to her aid and filmed TikToks showing themselves taking naps after lunch — in their trucks and in various safe environments — illustrating to MJ (and all the other tiny workmen and workwomen) the importance of fueling and resting oneself and ones tools. And hey, that echoes Paper Doll‘s advice of about nap-taking, like in:

Take a Break — How Breaks Improve Health and Productivity

Take a Break for Productivity — The International Perspective

If you’re a TikTok aficionado, find your bliss watching Workman MJ and his Mom; their precious videos of MJ-narrated interactions with various workers while learning about their tools and skills are reminiscent of early Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers vignettes, and MJ’s mom (Jessica C. Lee) has even written a book, Workman MJ Takes a Nap, about their “it takes a village” nap experience.

But back to Tread.

The bumpy, black rubber tire treads add a grippiness that makes the MOD easy for small hands to grab without dropping and adds an extra layer of hearty durability to the Time Timer MOD. Use it at work impress your co-workers with a nod to your “tough approach” to problem solving, or take it to the gym so your Time Timer MOD is safe no matter how rambunctious your workout. Either way, it’s a great companion for workspaces, workouts, or on-the-go time management. (Yes, it’s primarily made for kids, but why let them have all the fun?)

The Tread case is made of soft-touch silicone (easily cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth), and has been drop-tested from a height of 5 feet.

On its own, Tread is $14.95 from Time Timer and you can pair it with any MOD already in rotation in your school, office, or home.

However, if you’re the kind who always orders a combo meal, get the Time Timer MOD + Protect Case – Tread together in a rugged bundle for $39.95. It includes the grey 60-minute MOD with a classic red disk timer and the Tread protective case.

As with the Bunny bundle, you a great, confidence-boosting visual timer that supports the executive function needs of children and adults with ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and autism, as well as all sorts of people who need time management support, plus a hearty case that protects the timer from boo-boos.

And let’s face it, that tire tread pattern offers a cool tactile experience for those needing a fidget toy to support ongoing focus and reduce anxiety. Like the Bunny bundle, the MOD + Tread bundle includes One Year Premium Access to Time Timer® App.

All Time Timer products include a One-Year 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

ZIP NOTES & DISPENSERS

We all love sticky notes. Whether we use a tiny sticky note for a label, a standard one for a list or a reminder, or a heavy duty one for intense climate situations, it’s become essential to have a method that just sticks without need for paper clips or staples.

However, sticky notes aren’t perfect. We usually have to settle for one uniform size or purchase multiples different sizes.

But wouldn’t it be cool if we could have a sticky note of any length we desired, whenever we wanted?

Thanks to the Zip Notes Executive Sticky Note Dispenser and Holder, we can.

Zip Notes

Invented by Edison, New Jersey-based Victor Technology, these Zip Notes might initially be indistinguishable from Post-its® and their (often less-adhesive) knockoffs, but there are some significant differences:

- - Zip Notes come on a roll — Taking a cue from old-timey adding machine paper rolls or paper towels, Zip Notes come on an 150-inch roll of adhesive-backed paper.

This format is cost-effective and reduces paper waste. One roll of Zip Notes is the equivalent of 600 regular 3″ x 3″ sticky notes!

As much as I love a good Post-it®, there are times when I don’t necessarily have the size I want. For example, on the side of my desk right now, I have a twelve-pack of the Post-it® mini (1 3/8″ x 1 7/8″) Greener Notes.

They’re perfect when I want to scribble one or two words on a sticky note and use it as a label for a pile of papers. Conversely, for most purposes, a standard 3″ x 3″ sticky note works fine, but when you have a lot to write, it’s always nice to have a 3″ x 5″ sticky note on hand, because it has ample room, and you can turn it vertically to create a list.

But what if, in the course of an afternoon, you have several short, medium, and long sticky notes to write? You could keep all different size sticky notes in your drawer, but with Zip Notes, you wouldn’t have to, and you’ll never waste paper with a “continued on next note” situation.

Just hold down the button until the sticky note paper unspools to the length you prefer and tear it off. Suddenly, you have a note with a customized length!

- - Zip Notes have an adhesive strip running down the center of the note — The unique design of the Zip Notes, with a central strip of adhesive, prevents the edges from curling and allows for flexibility with adherence wherever you need it: at work, at school, or at home. As with any good sticky note, the Zip Notes are re-positionable.

Zip Notes come in three colors: pink, blue, and yellow, each for about $8.99/roll, either directly from the product page at Victor Technologies or from Amazon.

Zip Notes work in tandem with three types of dispensers.

Zip Notes Executive Dispenser

The navy blue battery-operated Zip Notes Executive Dispenser dispenses the exact length of note you need so you can customize the length of your notes. It’s available directly from the Victor Technology website for $24.99 or for 23.99 at Amazon, in case you want to take advantage of your Prime Shipping. (Note, the photo on Amazon appears to be grey, but it’s apparently just a poor photo; it’s only available in blue.)

The Executive Dispenser is a compact 5.0” wide x 4.5” deep x 5.5” high, and takes up barely more room on your desktop than a stack of sticky notes. It requires two AA batteries, which are included.

Zip Notes Administrator Dispenser

The Zip Notes Administrator Dispenser can rest on your desk or be mounted to a wall, and measures 4.1” wide x 3.6” deep x 6.5” high. Similar to the Executive version, it takes two AA batteries (included).

The Administrator Dispenser is $24.99 at Victor Technology and $23.95 at Amazon.

Zip Notes Manual Dispenser

In addition to the two battery-operated versions, there is a manual Zip Notes dispenser. Without the nifty “zhhhh” sound and the button to push, it’s not quite as cool as its battery-operated counterparts, but at $9.99 for the burgundy dispenser (measuring 3.5 deep x 3.8 wide x 4.5 high), it might be handy to keep in your mobile office kit. Just pull to the desired note length and rip.

The Zip Notes Executive Sticky Notes and Dispensers are a neato combination of a different type of sticky note and a different way of dispensing them. If you’re GenX, you may be thinking, “It’s two mints in one!

ANXIETY BOOKSHELF

It’s possible that only my professional organizer colleagues, Paper Mommy, and I will appreciate this product line, but Anxiety Bookshelf is a cute way to incorporate the soothing aspects of organization into your life without having to invest your heart and soul into downsizing or systematizing.

What Is the Anxiety Bookshelf?

The conceit of the Anxiety Bookshelf is that when you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can shake the miniature bookshelf (which is actually a latched, hinged, window unto a bookshelf-like shadow box) to free all of the miniature “books” from their safe perches and knock them to the “floor.”

Then open the hinged cover, take up the little books, and re-shelve them as you see fit. Why? To allow yourself to create a sense of order when things in your life are feeling disordered.

Arrange alphabetically by title or author, keep them in genres, or go rogue like the Home Edit crew and organize the books by color. (OK, please don’t do that. It gives me hives.)

Start by buying the actual Anxiety Bookshelf.

The original Anxiety Bookshelf — the hand-painted bookshelf cases come in eight colors: brown (natural wood), white, pink, black, yellow, blue, green, and purple.

It measures 9.8″ wide x 7.8″ high by 2.7″ deep, and comes with 260 miniature books, from classics like George Orwell’s 1984 and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird to modern titles like John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. While the majority of the books are novels, there are memoirs and non-fiction titles, too. (You can see the titles by scrolling down to the bottom of this page.)

The original Anxiety Bookshelf, with a full complement of miniature books, is $54.98.

For the same $54.98 price, you can also purchase the DIY Anxiety Bookshelf, which comes with the bookshelf, white foam book block inserts, and sheets of 264 book cover stickers.

Alternatively, you can buy an empty bookcase in two sizes:
- The full-size (empty) bookcase is $39.95.
- The small (empty) bookcase is $19.95

and then fill the shelves with whichever of the various Anxiety Bookshelf book collections you prefer, at various price points (or a set of random mini books in 60, 120, 180, or 260 book counts).

Obviously, I’d pick the Jane Austen collection to start, before branching out.

You can even customize the books you want and order from one to 10 different titles, starting at $5.90 for one-to-three titles, up to $18.90 for ten customized books. If you’re an author, you could even get your own mini books for your bookcase!

Depending on how much anxiety you’d like to soothe or how many miniatures you need in your life, there are discounts for multiple bookshelf purchases. Save $10 on a purchase of two; save $15 if you buy three; save $20 if you purchase 4 bookshelves so that you can pretend you are Belle in Beast’s library.

There’s even a Pocket Anxiety Bookshelf for anyone who feels the urge to self-soothe by organizing tiny books on-the-go, like during breaks at school or work. It comes in six colors: (TARDIS) blue, black, green, white, pink, and brown, and has just three little shelves. It measures 2.8” wide x 3.7” high x 1.9” deep and comes with 60 books. The Pocket version is currently $29.95.

In addition, for those seeking some bookish solace, Anxiety Bookshelf has some adorable Room Box items with the same latch and glass front (for safe shaking), in case you want to re-arrange a cozier space, available with or without the miniature books.

Is This An Open-and-Shut (Book) Case?

For each of the bookcases, you can open the bookcase; there’s a latch on the side of the bookshelf for a secure closure before you shake the books off the shelf.

However, you can’t open the miniature books because (duh!) they aren’t actually printed texts. Rather, each “book” is a block .87″ high x .55″ wide x .12″-thick blank foam with a book cover sticker wrapped around it.

So, although you can’t open the books, you can customize the ones you want, as noted above, and arrange them in whatever way will soothe your frazzled nerves.

Isn’t This Just Clutter?

Maybe?

At first glance, this might just look yet another (cute) knick-knack destined to become clutter, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend this for everyone. However, the various iterations of the Anxiety Bookshelf may greatly appeal to certain subsets of the populace, including:

people who like closed-end crafts, as opposed to projects that go on forever. Even with the DIY version, once you apply all the stickers to create the books and shelve the books, there’s no more “work” to do.
those who are soothed by being able to control their environments on a small scale — because how often can you sort your junk drawer to calm yourself? (But hey, when you do, be sure to check out Is Your Junk Drawer a Drunk Drawer? 3 Steps to An Organized Junk Drawer for guidance.)
those who are soothed by closed-ended organizing projects and just need a short-term meditative organization project
folks who like to create customized displayable art that can also be played with rather than merely admired.

When I was little, Paper Mommy and I worked together (by which I mean that I read the instructions and she did the handiwork) to create adorable little “mouse house” shadowboxes with intricate detailing. I find the little bookshelves and miniature books similarly charming.

But I also appreciate a product made specifically for the purpose of soothing anxiety of dealing with disarray in one’s personal world and the world at large. As a Certified Professional Organizer® — in fact, I just recertified for the sixth time since 2007), having helped clients with organizing and productivity for the past 24 years, my work doesn’t just help my clients; it’s therapeutic for me, too.

When something is stressing me out in my own life, I’ve been known to dump out my purse or lingerie drawer, sometimes to downsize, but usually just to create a little order and maintain some control.

I admit, this reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, from novelist Lucinda Rosenfeld:

“We order our salad dressing on the side because we’re control freaks. We’d like to control you. Because we can’t, we control lettuce.”

Often, clients contact me because they’re anxious about organizing. But quite often, a focused approach to organizing, even (or especially) on a tiny scale, helps conquer anxiety and create just as much inner peace as meditation or a walk in nature. Sometimes, it helps just to be able to control something. Even lettuce. Even tiny books.

Although I never recommend purchasing a product, whether functional or aesthetic, unless you both need and want it, sometimes, it’s just nice to know what’s out there. You may not chase the ice cream truck down the street, but isn’t it nice to hear the music and know the truck waiting?

Finally, for Paper Mommy, from whom I learned my love for all things tiny, here’s Anxiety Bookshelf’s Mini Book Cart, available on its own, or with 60, 120, or 180 books.

I bet it could hold quiet a few miniature Popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, and Nutty Buddy ice cream cones.

Digital Disaster Prep: How to Organize Your Tech Info Before You Need It

Posted on: June 30th, 2025 by Julie Bestry | 20 Comments

Do your digital devices ever frustrate you?

You probably use your computer much of the day. Even if you don’t, you likely grab your phone or your tablet with some frequency. You’re on the internet, and you want to connect to Wi-Fi. Perhaps someone in the house plays online multi-player video games or likes to stream movies or TV shows.

And when something goes wrong with any of it and you can’t figure out why, you may find that you want to exhibit less than delicate language and less than genteel behavior.

via GIPHY

I feel your pain.

MONGO AND A TALE OF TWO PRINTERS

Decades ago, I needed to install more memory in my Ruby iMac G3 (may it rest in peace) and had been assured that it was a simple process. I just had to turn the computer upside down, remove some teeny screws holding a panel in place, and insert the memory card thingy. Except, it didn’t work. I mean, it would go in, but it didn’t seem to be going in properly. I gingerly pressed it as far as it would go, but it did not give that satisfying “click” you expect, like with a seatbelt. (Oh, how I wish I’d thought of “seatbelt” as a metaphor at the time!)

After more than a few frustrating minutes, I called my grad school friend Phil, one of my BFFs and the person who knew my level of tech capabilities. After multiple go-rounds, Phil could not understand what I meant by “The memory thingy is going in, but it’s not clicking like a compact.” Frustrated, he passed the phone to Mongo.

iMac G3 series courtesy of Stephen Hackett, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mongo listened to my woes, figured out what I meant by “clicking like a compact” (which, at the time, seemed perfectly comprehensible to me) and eventually the problem was solved. I realized that day that if we were going to survive the internet revolution and live in a digital world, we would all need a Mongo (and a Phil), as well as a better sense of how to detail and explain our tech situations.

I was recently reminded of this by two experiences. First, I had a problem with printer/scanner. It would not scan. Or print. Although it had worked perfectly two days prior, my computer couldn’t see it, and vice versa. I suspected the printer/scanner had lost connection to my Wi-Fi network.

I set about manually inputting the network passcode into the printer, which is like old-timey texting, because you only have an Up and a Down arrow and a Select button. To get to a capital M, you have to scroll through 1-9, then lowercase a-z, then A-M uppercase before saying “select” and then move on to the next letter.

Still, nada.

I eventually asked ChatGPT, which walked me step-by-step through each possible activity, brimming with (sometimes misplaced) confidence. Over the course of an hour, I deleted my printer, re-installed it, then installed the printer and scanner drivers. I’d done everything right and it was STILL not working. The scanner driver troubleshooting mechanism alerted me that it couldn’t see the Wi-Fi and encouraged me to make sure the computer and scanner were on the same network. Doh!

Would you believe that although my printer/scanner was on the right network, my desktop computer (which I use everyday, and which I never manually change to any other network) had somehow been reset to the Xfinity public hotspot network rather than my own, private network?

Weird. However, had I not had all of the various network information written down and handy, from the beginning, the process would have taken much longer.

In a second case, I was working with a beloved elderly client whose family had just bought her a new printer to replace her formerly reliable but lately exhausted one. We’d even used it to make copies at the prior session. However, on deadline to print some documents and to take to a notary, the new printer wouldn’t print.

My client abandoned ship to make a cup of coffee and play Sudoku.

With a series of questions to Google and many false starts, I was able to install the correct drivers (because contrary to what the client’s family had told her, printers are not plug-and-play) and get the printer on the correct network. However, had I not previously secured the client’s home internet and computer information all in one place, I’d probably still be struggling.

Whether you have a Mongo and Phil, or a well-intentioned if bewildered Paper Doll, the key to a happy and well-connected digital life is organizing your tech information. You definitely don’t want to act out the printer-beating scene from Office Space.

Please don’t wait until the next time you need your tech information to start amassing it. Instead, develop a cheat sheet/folder and keep it someplace safe and accessible, whether on paper or digitally.

NETWORK AND DEVICE INFORMATION

Your home (or office) network is the lynchpin to getting anything done. Without a network, you wouldn’t be able to surf the internet (sigh, maybe sometimes access to the internet is keeping you from getting things done, but let’s circle back to that), scan documents to your computer, print from your various devices, or do much of anything.

There are four basic “chunks” of information you’ll need to have and/or know to keep your network running smoothly: your IP address, your router and modem information, your Wi-Fi network essentials, and your ISP details.

IP Address

IP stands for Internet Protocol. Think of your IP address as a unique identifier or label assigned to every single device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. You’re probably thinking about computers, tablets, and cell phones, but lots of other things have IP addresses that you might not expect, such as:

Boring tech, like printers, scanners, and peripherals
Internet of Things devices, like smart fridges, smart thermostats, or smart lighting use IP addresses to allow you to monitor or remotely control them

Security devices like doorbell cameras similarly use IP addresses for remote control and remote access monitoring.
Gaming consoles like PlayStations and Xboxes need IP addresses to connect to online gaming services and other players

Think about how you might use your label maker or a chalk outline on a pegboard to show where a coffee mug or your favorite wrench lives. The IP address is a digital version of that, a digital address, making it possible for your devices to send (and receive) information — data, instructions, etc. — over the internet as a whole or, across a local network in your workspace. The IP address is how your devices are able to identify and locate each other online.

Why and when do I need my IP address?

All the devices on your Wi-Fi network get assigned an IP address, ensuring the system will avoid conflicts and be able to smoothly communication. Your network administrator at work may need your IP address to optimize system performance or manage bandwidth. Security firewalls use IP addresses to filter unauthorized devices for incoming and outgoing traffic.

But what about you? You might need to access or provide your IP address in the following circumstances:

Setting up a new modem or router when your internet provider sends you email saying “Hey, dude, your hardware is out-of-date! Trade it in for something that’s faster and shinier and won’t freeze during Zoom or your favorite MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game).”
Troubleshooting connection problems. Maybe you want to access a streaming service but are being blocked because they’re not supposed to let people in your country (or wherever you are) access their good stuff. (In which case, you might want to look into a VPN.)
Tech support, whether you’re getting assistance from your internet service provider or your grad school BFF.
Beef up your network security so you don’t get hacked.
Increase or modify your privacy so that advertisers (and their delicious cookies), your ISP, or your government can’t peek at what you’re doing (or, in the case of your smart fridge.

Where can I find my IP address?

You can find your IP address in two general ways.

Use a website that shows your IP address. If you click on the link for https://whatismyipaddress.com or https://www.whatismyip.com/, it will automagically detect and your IP address and show you two different flavors of your IP address assigned by your internet provider.
- IPv4 addresses are a string or set of four numbers separated by dots. It’ll look something like 172.16.0.1. (Sometimes, when you’re trying to set up a router or deal with a tech kerfuffle, you’ll be advised to use the IP address 10.0.0.1 to access the admin panel.)
- IPv6 addresses use eight hexadecimal groups separated by colons. They’re freakier looking, like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

Let your fingers do the walking to find your IP address.

If using the internet feels like cheating and you want to pretend you’re a programmer, you can:

- Use the Windows Command prompt — click the Start button, type “cmd”, and press Enter. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter: This will display detailed network configuration information. Find your IP: Look for the “IPv4 Address” under the appropriate adapter (Ethernet or Wireless LAN).
- On a MacOS or Linux machine, run “ipconfig” or “ip a” in Terminal.
- On mobile devices, like iPhones and Androids or tablets, go to your Wi-Fi settings.
  - iPhone/iPad — Navigate to the Settings app and tap on “Wi-Fi”. Then tap the “i” icon next to the network to which you’re currently connected and you’ll see your IP address.
  - Android — Go to the Settings app and pick “Wi-Fi.” Then tap on the to which you’re network you’re connected and you’ll see your IP address displayed under “network details.”

You can find a tutorial on the ins-and-outs of IP addresses at Computer Networking Notes.

Router and Modem Information

Router by Compare Fibre on Unsplash

Maybe you’re thinking, what’s the difference between a modem and a router?

In the simplest terms, a modem connects your house to your internet service provider (ISP). Your router then creates a network — a local area network (LAN) within your home, enabling all sorts of devices to connect to your internet simultaneously, generally via Wi-Fi. These days, your modem and your router are usually housed in one “box” that your ISP gives you.

Why and when do I need my router and modem information?

To troubleshoot your network
To update the firmware for your equipment
To set parental controls

Document the following router and modem information

The manufacturer, model number, and serial number of your router or modem. It’s generally written right on the housing. If the typeface is too small for you to read, use the magnifying tool on your cell phone.
The default administrator login and password (plus any changes you’ve made) — Save the information in your digital password manager, or write it on a piece of paper and put it in an easily-grabbed folder called “Home Tech Stuff.” If you haven’t made any changes, the default might be as simple as “admin”/”admin” or “admin”/”password,” so check the sticker on your router’s manual or a sticker on the device.
The Configuration URL for your router. It’s usually something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. You just copy it into the URL bar in any browser, the same way you’d type https://www.juliebestry.com to get to Paper Doll HQ.
Current firmware version and instructions for updating it. It’s shocking how much we own requires “firmware” updates.

To find your current firmware version, go to your Configuration URL, log in, and yo’ll find a section with a label that says something like “System,” “Device Info,” “Firmware,” or “About” and it will show you something that looks like Firmware Version: v3.1.0.4.384_45678.

Alternatively, if your router has an app, check the app’s dashboard.

Wi-Fi Network Information

Why and when do I need my Wi-Fi network information?

You’re going to need to know (or access) this information when you:

Set up a new router or connect devices to your existing router.
Reconnect devices — I needed this when I had to get my scanner and computer to talk to one another again.
Help guests or service workers access your WI-FI — If you don’t want them to know your Wi-Fi password, you have a few alternatives:
- Set up a guest network — If you log into your network’s administrator page as described above, there will be an option for setting up a new network name (SSID) for guests. For example, my home network is Pride & Prejudice; I could make a guest network and call it Longbourne or Pemberley.
- Some routers let you generate a QR code your guests can scan to connect to the network without knowing the password.
- Mobile devices have specific sharing options. On iOS or MacOS, you’ll see a pop-up prompt for sharing; on Android, look for the Quick Share option.

Document the following network information

Your network’s name (SSID)
The WI-FI password
The encryption type (WPA2/WPA3)
Guest network information, if you’ve created a guest network

Again, collect this information and keep it in an easily accessible digital or analog document. If you maintain it in the cloud, you can access it while traveling if you need to help someone at home, like your teens or a pet sitter.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Information

Internet service providers are often frustrating, but the more information we have, the better prepared we can be.

Why and when do I need my ISP information?

This section is probably going to be the easiest for you, and you may be tempted not to document this information because you already know it. But what if your spouse or adult child or someone with your Power of Attorney had to help solve a problem?

You’ll may need this information if you want to upgrade (or downgrade) your service, report outages, solve billing questions or problems, or return equipment.

Document the following ISP information

Your internet service provider’s name — Unless you live in Mayberry, the name isn’t going to be Floyd or MarySue. It might be Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, Verizon Fios, T-Mobile, Google Fiber, or even a municipal or regional utilities provider.
The customer support phone number — Note, you may need two different numbers, one for tech support and one for customer support, though they’re usually part of the same phone tree selection of options.
Your account number — This is printed on your billing statement; if you don’t get printed bills (whether you are on auto-pay or just log in to pay each month), find your account number in your online account portal.
Your login credentials for your account portal

COMPUTERS, PHONES, TABLETS, AND PERIPHERALS

While network information may be the most confusing — and thus most essential to write down, there are other essentials to capture on a technological cheat sheet.

Device Identifiers

For each device or peripheral, document the following:

Serial number — You may find this imprinted on a peripheral, but on computers, phones, tablets and other digital devices, log into your Settings app. For example, on an iPhone, navigate Settings>General>About and you will find your serial number.
MAC address — A MAC address has nothing to do with Apple Mac; it stands for Media Access Control, and it’s a unique hardware identifier that’s assigned to any network-enabled device. It’s a permanent characteristic, like a fingerprint, as opposed to an IP address, which can change. A MAC address looks like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E

You may find a MAC address imprinted on the bottom or back of a physical device, labeled as MAC Address, MAC, LAN MAC, WAN MAC, or Wi-Fi MAC, in the router’s admin dashboard, or in the router’s app.

Alternatively, use a MAC address lookup site like MacAddress.io or MacLookup.app.

Model name/number — Like the serial number, it may be imprinted in the bottom/back of the device but can also be found in the settings section.
Operating System — e.g., Windows 11 or macOS 15 Sequoia. Don’t worry about noting the periodic version numbers (like 15.5.1) as that will update too often to make it worth logging.
Device Name — This is whatever you call your devices so you’ll recognize them when you look at the network. For example, “Julie’s Purple iPhone.”
- On a Windows device, look at Settings>System>About
- On a Mac, it’s in System Settings>General>Sharing
- On iOS, navigate to Settings>General>About>Name
- On Android, it varies by manufacturer, but try Settings>About Phone>Device Name

Why might I need device identifiers?

Try to log your device identifiers as soon as possible after acquiring them in case you need to:

locate a device on your network
get warranty support
get help with tech support or repair
file insurance claims
submit a filing for a class action lawsuit — Recent, I filed a claim in the Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement. Although I only had proofs of purchase for three of the four devices, I was able to complete the claim for the fourth by submitting the serial number for my 2015 iPhone6!

Operating System License Keys or Activation Codes

If you ever have to re-install your operating system because something implodes or if you need to transfer the operating system to a new device, you’ll need the license keys or activation codes, which are generally long alphanumeric strings.

In the olden days, we had stickers on the envelopes for installation disks and on older computers, stickers with the packaging. These days, look in your digital accounts, like Microsoft or Apple, to find your keys and codes, and save them locally, just in case.

Installed Software and Product Keys

Whenever you buy, download, and install software or other digital “products,” you may get keys to prove you haven’t “borrowed” someone else’s software. This includes anti-virus software, productivity suites like Microsoft 365 apps, or Adobe products.

Log everything you already own and then make a point of cataloguing new software purchases with:

a list of all of essential apps and software licenses with the:
- product name
- license number
- date you installed or acquired it
installation files (or locations) and download links from which you got the software
activation codes

If you ever have to re-install software after a crash, or if your computer is lost or stolen and you have to move to a new device, you’ll need this data.

Peripheral Setup Information

When you fight the Devil — I mean, reconnect or troubleshoot your printer, scanners, Wi-Fi label makers — you need this information.

For the same technological, financial, insurance, or legal reasons you may need to track your digital devices, you need to record essential information about your peripherals. For each printer, scanner, copier or other peripheral, write down the:

make
model
driver download page URL
IP address (if it’s networked)
current driver version

Smart Home Device Information

Do you have a futuristic home? Document the following for each of your smart home devices in case you have to reset your network and everything “smart” gets stupid.

smart device app logins
setup instructions
device warranties and supporting info, including:
- purchase date
- warranty terms
- tech support contact numbers and websites

WHAT OTHER TECH INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO TRACK?

If you manage to collect and safeguard all of the above information, you’ll be ahead of the game. Still, there are myriad other things to track.

Passwords

You already know that having a strong password is essential. Still, to stay on the cutting edge, read The 2025 Hive Systems comprehensive Are Your Passwords in the Green.

Infographic courtesy of Hive Systems at www.hivesystems.com/password

If you ever need to recover files, sync devices, or re-set your accounts after something goes awry, make doubly sure you’ve captured:

logins for all of your cloud accounts, like iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Evernote
recovery email and backup options
password manager login — If one password or passphrase is the key to your digital kingdom, keep it safe! You may think you’ll remember it forever, but if you get bonked on the head by an Acme anvil or a piano dropped from a high window, you (or your family) will be glad that you recorded it.

2-Factor Identification Backup Codes and Recovery options

Text-based 2-factor identification is quickly being replaced by 2FA backup codes. Take note of your:

backup codes for services with two-factor authentication
authenticator app information like which app you’re using, and which phone or tablet it’s installed on

in case you ever lose your phone or switch devices and can no longer have ad hoc codes automatically sent to your phone.

Backup Configurations

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked a client, “Do you back your phone up to the cloud?” or “How do you back up your computer?” and received a blank, panicked stare. First, be sure you are backing things up and then document:

which devices are being backed up?
how often?
to where — the cloud? an external hard drive? network-attached storage (NAS)?
instructions for restoring from backup

If you’ve never had a crash or data loss, you’re lucky. Preserve your luck and back up!

Digital Legacy Information

Think about who should have access to your accounts if you’re incapacitated or unavailable. Then make a plan to provide instructions and logins for your personal accounts. You can put much of this information in your digital password manager and arrange for an emergency or legacy contact. Beyond that, review:

How to Create Your Apple & Google Legacy Contacts

Paper Doll Explains Digital Social Legacy Account Management

Is your tech information captured and organized?

How to Stay Productive When It’s Too Darn Hot

Posted on: June 23rd, 2025 by Julie Bestry | 8 Comments

The meteorologists tell us that we’re experiencing a heat dome. All I know is that my air conditioner is struggling and my brain is melting. I’ve debated with myself as to whether I really need to write this blog post or if I should just sit in a cool bubble bath.

Meanwhile, I can’t stop humming Cole Porter’s “It’s Too Darn Hot” from Kiss Me, Kate. The musical is a play-within-a-play; actors, backstage, lament that the environmental heat is keeping them from endeavoring toward romantic heat. (Nudge, nudge; wink, wink.)

Sweat Golden Girls GIF from Tenor

WHY IT’S HARD TO STAY PRODUCTIVE WHEN IT’S HOT

It’s no surprise that when we’re uncomfortably warm, we get cranky. We perspire and our clothes stick to us. Our skin chafes and our hair sticks to our necks. We stick to our leather or vinyl car seats or desk chairs. Our mouths get dry, and those sharing our space (be they work peers or life partners) annoy us more.

But it’s not just mere crankiness and discomfort.

Hot weather is linked to everything icky from mild irritability to aggression, headaches and reduced motivation to decreased memory, focus, and cognition. It seems like productivity doesn’t stand a chance.

The Science Behind “It’s Too Darn Hot”

According to a 2018 study conducted at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, students in dorms without air conditioning during a heat wave performed significantly worse on cognitive tests than their peers who were able to (literally) chill out, and their reaction times were slower. Elementary school students (and their teachers) in hot classrooms suffer similarly.

Other studies, such as by Soloman Hsiang and Jesse Anttila-Hughes (who study economics and public policy), Joshua Graff Zivin and Matthew Neidell (in global policy and economic research), and Shin-ichi Tanabe, a professor of architecture at Waseda University in Tokyo (studying “thermal comfort”) found that for ever 1° degree rise in temperature beyond 77° degrees Fahrenheit (~25° Celsius), productivity dropped approximately 2%. Each used different measures and models, and the percentages ranged from 1.8% to 2.4″ celsius, but going with an average 2% seems pretty sound.

Over the course of the typical workday, this works out to thirty minutes less work completed — for ever single degree rise in temperature. (If you’re a peri-menopausal or menopausal woman, I suspect you, like I, think that productivity drop starts much lower than 77°; if you’re one of those people who is always complaining that it’s too cold with the air conditioning on in your office, I respectfully submit that today’s blog post may not be for you. As noted, heat makes one cranky!)

A study published in PLOS Medicine in 2018 found a correlation between high indoor temperatures and impaired working memory and decision-making, particularly for tasks that required focus or logic.

Long story short, being hot isn’t cool if you hope to get anything done.

In fact, researchers at the Helsinki University of Technology and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that the performance of people who work in offices (or what is now generally called “knowledge work”) peaks at around 71.6°F (22°C). So, being able to maintain a fairly cool (or at least tepid) and comfortable office temperature is key to our productivity.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature is on a warpath and doesn’t seem to care whether we get our work done.

Why Productivity Declines When We’re Having a Cruel Summer

We humans are like Goldilocks, built for the middle ground, and we prefer our porridge neither too hot nor too cold. Our bodies go into survival mode when we get hot. Our body’s integumentary system diverts resources from elsewhere and toward cooling ourselves such that:

perspiration increases — Glands in our skin get stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system to produce sweat. (Yes, I know. “Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow.” But when it’s 94° outside, I’m glowing like a nuclear reactor. Feh.) As our perspiration evaporates, it carries heat away, effectively cooling us and lowering our body temperature.
vasodilation occurs — This is a fancy way of saying that blood vessels in the middle layer of skin, the dermis, widen. It increases blood flow to the skin’s surface, so excess heat gets released (through radiation and convection, which makes it sound like our bodies are built out of spare microwave ovens).

Meanwhile, as this is going on, the hypothalamus serves as a bodily thermostat, controlling thermo-regulation. Thermoreceptors in the body send signals and triggers our systems to either dissipate heat (to keep us cool) or generate it (for those office dwellers who truly do find the A/C too strong) to keep our internal temperatures stable.

The problem? When it’s hot, all those resources used to cool us down leave our organs (including our brains) with less energy to keep things running. Uh, oh.

So it’s not surprising that when we’re hot, our executive function capabilities drop. That means less mental acuity and power for attention, working memory, planning and organization, task initiation, problem solving, metacognition (thinking about our thinking), time management, and so on.

To keep our bodies from feeling like burnt toast, our cognition departs. Next window, please!

Additionally, when we’re dehydrated, our ability to focus is severely limited.

Even a mild case of dehydration (defined as 1-2% loss in body weight from water) can cause headaches, impair our concentration, reduce our short-term memory, and crash our math skills.

Just in case the heat had already worn you out, I’d like to point out that productivity and organizing skills are dependent upon concentration, short-term memory, and (argh, sometimes even) math skills so that we can focus on what to do, prioritize tasks, recognize patterns, make qualitative decisions, and figure out what goes where.

When it’s too darn hot, our bodies do what they have to, and sometimes that means shutting down our means of production (that is, cognition and productivity). That doesn’t mean we can’t take our own actions to keep our goals from running off the rails, but we’re going to have to take some extra precautions to keep us from losing control during a cruel summer.

MODIFY YOUR SCHEDULE ON HOT DAYS

Be patient with yourself (and your colleagues and anyone you supervise) with regard to pace of productivity. If the heat is wearing you down and you’re not on an unrelenting deadline, move non-essential tasks to when Heat Miser isn’t trying to make you miserable.

(I dare you to not listen. Just don’t get up and dance. It’s too hot.)

Reorganize your workload so you tackle your highest priorities and deliverables but give yourself permission to let low-priority tasks wait a few days until the A/C (and your brain) is at full blast.

Time-shift your productivity. Embrace the Mediterranean and South American models and take a siesta. If possible, get your deep work done early in the morning and schedule light, less brain-intensive tasks during those hot midday hours. To get a handle on this international approach to dealing with steamy workdays, embrace the advice in my post Take a Break for Productivity — The International Perspective.

If you, like Paper Doll, are a night owl, see if you can schedule follow-up tasks (particularly those where you don’t have to interact with others) in the cooler evening hours. Save your admin, reading, email-checking, and light decluttering (avoiding the attic or garage) for after twilight.

Remember other breaks, too. The productivity strategies we’ve discussed at length at Paper Doll HQ over the years, like the Pomodoro Technique, or the approach discussed in Frogs, Tomatoes, and Bees: Time Techniques to Get Things Done, accent the importance of employing breaks to clear your head.

For more on these kinds of breaks, see Take a Break — How Breaks Improve Health and Productivity.

REDESIGN YOUR WORKSPACE TO BEAT THE HEAT…

If you work from home, consider working in the coolest room in your house. Get away from windows and trade that hot, bright midday sunlight for more subdued lighting.

Do the limbo, by which I mean, go lower!

Heat rises, so you may just find it cooler to get down on the floor to work. And when the atmosphere in your home is steamy, basements are often darker and cooler. If you don’t have a finished basement, it may lack the creature comforts you depend upon, but when the alternative is suffering while your A/C limps along to cope with the heat, you may not mind roughing it. Think of hanging out in the basement as similar to camping out, only with running water, a nearby fridge, and bathroom facilities.

Use blackout curtains (or at least pull down your shades and close your curtains). Position fans to create a cross-breeze — but either don’t point them directly at your workspace; otherwise, grab some coasters or cans from the kitchen to use as paperweights. If you have to chase your papers all over the room, you’re going to feel hot and bothered, not cool and collected.

OR, RELOCATE YOUR WORKSPACE TO WHERE IT’S COOLER

If your air conditioning has conked out or is on the way to its final reward, or if you never had an A/C to begin with, consider relocating your workspace elsewhere for the days the heat is oppressive. Some options include:

the public library — Although you generally need a library card to check materials out, any member of the public can occupy table space and enjoy the air conditioning and rest room facilities of the public library.
a college library — University libraries are more likely to limit access to current students, faculty, and staff. However, if you’re an alum, or if there’s a university (or perhaps a community college) nearby with more lenient policies, you may find a cool, quiet place (perhaps a carrel in the graduate student stacks) to focus for a few hours.
a coffee house — Long before COVID drove people to work remotely from home, coffee houses were the in spot for creating your own remote office. Just be sure to buy food or beverages in exchange for that free Wi-Fi, and tip your servers.
a cafeteria space — Massive stores like IKEA and Costco often have food courts or cafeterias. If you’ve got noise-canceling headphones, get yourself some gravlax or a hot dog, tuck yourself into a corner, cool down, and focus with an un-fried brain.
a hotel lobby or business center — Most cities have hotel conference centers with lots of empty/unused space. Think of all the times you’ve been at a conference and tucked yourself away in a quiet corner to read or a make a call without schlepping all the way to your room.
your local community center — Many community centers are remodeled schools with a variety of rooms, and most community centers have quiet spaces set aside for working or studying.
a friend’s house — I’m not saying to descend on a friend’s house and take over her dining room or guest room. But if you’ve got friends who love you and they have the chilly air that you’re lacking, especially if they’ll be off to their offices, why not ask? You’d do the same for them, right?
a co-working space — While co-working spaces likely won’t be free, you may be able to buy an inexpensive day pass. Google “co-working” and your geographic location, or check out and online directory, like CoWorker, Liquid Space, or Co-Working Cafe.

REDUCE YOUR TECH TO KEEP YOUR COOL

Digital devices are hot, hot, hot!

Have you ever noticed how your lap gets extraordinarily taosty when you’ve had your laptop balanced on your legs for a while? Have you ever touched the back of your desktop computer on a hot day? Yikes!

On days when the heat is excessive, use less electricity and feel less burnt out by making changes to how you use your computer and mobile devices:

Dim your monitor’s brightness — The brighter your computer or phone, the more battery and energy your screen is using, and the more heat it may give off.
Close unused browser tabs — Too many open tabs in your brain keeps you from working at top speed; the same goes for your browser. If that article has been sitting in an open tab on your computer for weeks, you’re probably never going to read it. If you’re not inclined to read it today, save it to Evernote, add a bookmark, or ask ChatGPT to summarize it for you.
Unplug chargers and unnecessary lights and devices — They radiate heat and add to your discomfort during a heat wave.
Unplug yourself — If you’re not on a deadline, go analog! Power down your laptop or desktop and grab a notebook. Obviously, you aren’t going to replace email with passing notes (across the country), but if you just need to write a draft or brainstorm, power down your tech. Conserve the energy — your devices’ and your own.

PRACTICE SELF-CARE WHEN THE TEMPERATURES RISE

You know that your car won’t work as well in extreme heat. You need to check the radiator, keep the fluids topped off, shade your windshield, maintain a fairly full gas tank. You need to take similar precautions to keep yourself running smoothly.

Hydrate — Keep one of those recyclable bottles (whether it’s named Stanley or YETI or nicknamed George Clooney) on hand. Fill it with icy water (and not caffeinated beverages) to sip throughout the day. Use a visual water tracker (like a bottle with time markers) or try a hydration app to prompt you to drink more. Popular apps include WaterLlama, HydroCoach, and Waterful (which has a cute Octopus mascot — you hydrate to keep him (and yourself) healthy).

Eat smaller meals more often, and focus on snacks with high water makeup, like salads and fruits (hello, watermelon!), and select lean proteins. Reduce excess sodium intake. A heavy meal full of fats, carbs, and sodium make us sloth-like and lethargic at any time of year. Add high temperatures, and the 3 o’clock slump becomes the all-afternoon crash-out.
Nap —The more we are exposed to heat, the less time we spend sleeping, and the pejorative effects are stronger during heat waves (like this heat dome kerfuffle).
Relax your dress code — No, don’t show up to Teams meetings or Zoom calls in your PJs. But switch out form-fitting clothes for looser cuts (and looser weaves) to let the air circulate around you.
Brush your teeth — I mean, I hope you’re probably already brushing your teeth. But there’s something about a minty fresh mouth that helps cool your system down.
Run your wrists under cold water or rest them on soft, squishy ice packs (like chilly wrist rests) while typing or reading.
Consider a personal cooling tool device. — A few years ago, Paper Mommy bought me a bladeless neck fan and it directs a lovely (and not-too-noisy) breeze up under my hair, cooling my neck and head. (Readers: Don’t tell, but I’m running it right now!)

Check in with others — on your team, in your neighborhood, in your family. Heat reduces our mental energy and sometimes capacity to take care of ourselves, so we need to do what we can to take care of one another. Heat can make us anxious, and connecting with others (and maybe stopping to take a Popsicle break with them) can help us feel less out of sorts.

In much of the country, temperatures are going to be in the 90s and even over 100° this week, and we’re only (officially) a few days into the summer. Productivity is important, but endangering your mental and physical health in the short term is a recipe for declining productivity in the mid- and long-term.

Pace yourself, relocate, use less tech, and take care of your body and your brain. The work will still be there when the temperature comes down.

Paper Doll on the Power of a DONE List

Posted on: June 16th, 2025 by Julie Bestry | 12 Comments

DON’T BE LISTLESS

We all know the power of a To-Do list.

When we’re feeling overwhelmed by all the little dings in our brains reminding us, over and over, of what we have to do, we turn to a brain dump. While it may, at first, seem overwhelming, completely off-loading everything we have to do — from paying quarterly estimated taxes to making (or ordering) a birthday cake for a tiny human to dropping off that trunk-load of donations — takes the weight off our shoulders.

Having to constantly remember TO do something keeps us from being to think in a nuanced way ABOUT how we’ll approach a task. Think of a brain dump as a prototype To-Do list. It works with almost any kind of productivity technique.

Review How to Make a Big To-Do

If you’re following David Allen’s Getting Things Done paradigm (even if you didn’t know until now that you were doing so), you start by gathering tasks from all of the places you’ve captured what you have to do, like a scribbled note, email, voicemail or memo on your desk.) Then clarify what efforts the end-results involve, and organize them into by context. If the items are actionable, you’ll break big things down into smaller, actionable “next steps” and likely send them to a To-Do list.

Alternatively, you might create lists according to Steven Covey’s Sharpen the Saw approach as part of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey’s Weekly Compass allows you to consider your tasks under larger rubrics reflecting your roles. For example, Paper Doll‘s roles include professional organizer, blogger, product creator, marketer, daughter, and friend. (It also includes “aspiring heiress” to cover all my self-care tasks.)

If you’re freestyling, without any particular system, it still goes the same way. Download all of the remembered tasks floating around your brain to a tangible or digital form, add items prompted by reminders in your environment, and ta-da, it’s a To-Do!

Still, it’s hard for your brain to know what to do next when the upcoming tasks are “schedule a colonoscopy, buy a dress for my high school reunion, and write a cost-cutting report for the CEO.” Instead, it makes sense to divide To-Do lists into categories, like “work” and “life.”

Depending on the complexities of your situations, you’ll probably want to break these down into subcategories. For “work,” you might have lists for client follow-up, marketing tasks, reports to write, presentations, and so on. For “life,” you task categories may be financial and household, plus personal concerns like parenting tasks (ranging logistical, like carpooling or being a room mother for a field trip, to big-ticket items like having big talks), relationship management, and self-care.

For mosts of us, To-Do lists are the first step toward getting the work of life accomplished, and numerous Paper Doll have walked you through those steps. But there’s another kind of list that serves a different, though adjacent purpose. That’s a Done list.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TO-DO LIST AND A DONE LIST?

It’s possible you’ve never heard of a Done list. You could oversimplify and say that a To-Do list is a log of things you intend to do and a Done list is a list of what you’ve done.

Or, you might say a To-Do list is tactics, while a Done list is metrics.

But there are philosophical differences between the common To-Do list and the far-less-known Done list.

Stress Factor

A To-Do list can be hopeful, but it can also provoke anxiety. All of those “shoulds” can wear a person down, making us feel unproductive. The more we have on a To-Do list, the more we are reminded of what remains undone; for some, this can trigger procrastination.

Aspiration vs. Reality

A To-Do list shows shows our intentions, but that means everything on it is aspirational. As long as there’s a verb at the start, it could include anything, from “pick up the dry cleaning” to “convince George Clooney to invite me to dinner with him and Amal.”

A To-Do list holds potential, but you can’t take potential to the bank or serve it up for dinner. Conversely, there’s nothing aspirational in a Done list; it’s entirely reflective of what you’ve actually done, whether you’d planned to do so or not. Given that, Done lists take into account surprises, interruptions, and how you’ve managed to succeed despite inputs that were out of your control.

A To-Do list holds potential, but you can't take potential to the bank or serve it up for dinner. A Done list take into account surprises, interruptions, and how you've managed to succeed despite inputs that were out of your… Share on X

Expectations

A To-Do list it can also be overwhelming, especially if you overload it with more than you can accomplish in a day. A Done list, however, looks at your day’s activities from a different perspective. It leaves aside the should-have-dones or the never-got-to items and embraces reality.

A Done list ignores expectations, allowing you to revel in what you’ve achieved without measuring against any particular pre-conceived benchmarks.

Identity

Your To-Do list says who you want to be. It creates a necessary blueprint, because we can’t accomplish much without a vision. Your idea of who you want to be might involve a ten-point plan taking you from college to career to marriage and parenthood, or it might be more passionate than prescribed. (Are you having wicked dreams about leaving Tennessee? Is Santa Monica calling you? Is there any chance Chappell Roan is reading my blog?)

Your Done list says who you are. There may be more to accomplish, but there’s an achievement or three you can point to and say, “I’m a person who has already [XXXX] and nothing and nobody can take that away from me.”

A To-Do list is akin to the clutter of exercise videos or the diet books you buy or the cardio classes you schedule on your calendar (or the bathing suit you buy because THIS is the summer you will actually swim to get in shape). But a Done list is the steps counted by your Fitbit or Apple Watch, the way your waistband fits, or the numbers when the doctor checks your blood pressure.

Momentum

A To-Do list is static, like runners in the blocks before a race begins. A Done list, as it’s built, reflects the runners making progress (against their own time? against each competitor?) and pushing onward through the winner’s tape.

Don’t burn your To-Do lists. Just see the potential of adding a Done list to your productivity repertoir.

THE BENEFITS OF A DONE LIST?

Blogger Katherine Firth at Research Degree Insiders encourages us to look at our days more deeply. She asks, “But how do we know if we have succeeded in our day, or just succeeded ticking things off our To-Do list? Is a day where we did lots of important, urgent and valuable things (none of which were in our plans) still a success?”

And in the May 28, 2025 edition of Laura Vanderkam’s Vanderhacks Substack, she notes, after we tackle on our To-Do lists, “Now, of course, stuff comes up. Stuff always comes up. … You leave enough space that the unexpected doesn’t derail the expected. Shouldn’t we get credit for doing the stuff that came up too?“

Let’s consider the attributes and benefits of a Done list:

Compare plans vs. accomplishments — This is the most pedestrian of benefits.

Create an official record — If you ever wonder if you canceled your satellite radio service or sent that thank you note, the Done list offers concrete proof.

Perform a reality check — The official record is like sports statistics, but this benefit is like a mini-career retrospective before your jersey number gets retired (for the day). Reflecting Vanderkam’s question, if we’re going to give ourselves credit, let’s make sure we credit ourselves for everything and not just what we said we’d do.

If you’re always asking, “Where did the day (or week or month) go?” or spend each day fighting dragons it’s easy to dismiss your un-done tasks as failures. The Done list tallies your successes.

Add a real-time component to appreciating your accomplishments — When you try to capture your successes far after the fact, memories of what you did well can be fleeting.

When I worked in TV, I had a boss who favored saying, “One ‘aw [expletive deleted]’ can wipe out 10 ‘atta-boys.'” He meant that a stellar reputation among others can be stained by one misdeed, but I take it to mean how our brains judge us, too.

We remember our failures, our mistakes, our almost-but-not-quites. Instead of remembering that you didn’t get a job, wouldn’t it be more helpful to recall that you made it through four rounds of interviews and have developed better responses to those weird questions?

Instead of remembering that you didn't get a job, wouldn't it be more helpful to recall that you made it through four rounds of interviews and have developed better responses to those wacky questions? Share on X

Develop positive reinforcement — So much of modern life is ongoing: how often does anyone get to Inbox: 0 (or Laundry Basket: 0)? It’s hard to feel like any attention is given to what we’ve finished before it’s time to chase ourselves to the next benchmark.

A Done list reminds you that you can do it because you have done it. Recognize your successes. The Done list gives credit to the depth and breadth of achievements and sends dopamine hits to your brain, making coming back tomorrow easier and more eagerly anticipated.

Boost confidence in yourself and not just your output — We are always our own worst critics, and in this part of the Western Hemisphere (and in this part of the 21st century), we are bombarded with messages that if we don’t “produce” then we aren’t enough. This is a reminder that you ARE enough, and if you need more to undergird that reminder of your value, may I direct you to:

Reduce (or reject) your “productivity debt” — In his most recent book, Meditations for Mortals: four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts, Oliver Burkeman writes about the role of a Done list in counteracting the sense of productivity debt.

Burkeman notes that:

Many people these days report the feeling that they begin each morning in a kind of ‘productivity debt,’ which they must struggle to pay off over the course of the day, in hopes of returning to a zero balance by the time evening comes. If they fail — or worse, don’t even try — it’s as though they haven’t quite justified their existence on the planet.

While Burkeman clarifies the difference between the tasks we must in order to pay the rent, or how it’s “generally a good idea” to make sure your kids have food and clothing. But very much like what I wrote in my series on toxic productivity, he gets to the heart of what happens when we go beyond the push to be productive pressed on us by society into something more insidious:

But we overlay this everyday sense of obligation with existential duty not only to achieve certain ends, or to meet our basic responsibilities to others, but because it’s a cosmic debt we’ve somehow incurred in exchange for being alive….Our frenetic activity is often an effort to shore up a sense of ourselves as minimally acceptable members of society.

Burkeman reflects that whether the origins of this sense of inadequacy comes from the Protestant work ethic, our parents, or consumerism (um, check out that first toxic productivity post, eh), this “productivity debt mindset” means that even our checked-off To-Do list items create an ever-higher standard to achieve.

He posits that a Done list — rather than serving as a yardstick against your To-Do list — should invite you “to compare your output to the hypothetical situation where you stayed in bed and did nothing at all” and goes further to ask, “What makes that comparison any less legitimate than the other one?”

Whoa.

Of course, Burkeman’s recent area of expertise is the finitude, or limited nature, of life, and he doesn’t see the Done list as merely a way to give ourselves a rah-rah. He envisions the process of the Done list as one that makes us increasingly likely to make better decisions about what efforts and tasks to face in the first place, make more progress on them, and experience less anxiety about the things we’ve chosen to neglect.

My colleague Linda Samuels’ recent post, How a Helpful Productivity Reframe Makes More Time for Fun on making a “satisfying” day dovetails nicely with this line of thinking.

Conquer task rebellion — Are you the kind of person whom the minute you’re assigned something (even if you assign it to yourself), you suddenly don’t want to do it? A Done list is an alternate productivity tool for keeping a close eye on your important tasks and obligations.

Make sure others appreciate your achievements — Vanderhack’s Substack post acknowledges two bonuses to the Done list:

If you ever need to convince someone that you are in fact working hard, you can just send your manager your Done list. If you are managing people, you can ask team members to keep Done lists and share them with you. That way, at your next check-in you can congratulate them on a job well…done.

Create an operations manual — What you did helps you figure out what you will want to do. For example, blogger Randall Degges explains that he uses his Done list to make sure he’s gone through all of the steps in his programming work. For some ideas on how to develop this idea, consider reading Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto.

Blend a Done list into your gratitude practice — If you’re inclined to regularly practice gratitude (or, especially, if you’re not), a Done list shows you what you can be grateful for and show gratitude to: your skills and talents, for the time you had available to accomplish something, for the people or agencies that helped you accomplish what you wanted.

A long list of doctor’s appointments and medical tests on your To-Do list can be daunting. But seeing things like “Made mammogram appointment” or “Got dental crown replaced” on your Done list gives you the opportunity to feel grateful to be healthy or restored to health, that there are specialists to whom you can turn for expert care, and that you have health insurance. For those of us who are terrible at gratitude journaling, our Done list is a good alternative.

WHAT GOES ON YOUR DONE LIST?

We all know the joke that on days where we struggle to make headway, we might put “wake up” or “make a To-Do list” on our To-Do list, just so we’ll have things to cross off.

If your Done list were merely your To-Do list with items checked off, those pseudo-tasks, while helping you get your mojo going might* — under most circumstances — feel silly upon reflection. The following that might go on your Done list:

Calls made
Appointments kept
Meetings attended
Work obligations completed
Errands run
Household chores tackled
Procrastinated-upon “adulting” completed

But a Done list may capture more than just the tasks you performed but also some higher level achievements like:

ideas you generated, like brainstormed concepts for a blog post or outlining a plan for a vacation itinerary

metrics of what you are achieving, like if you walked 10,000 steps or recorded three videos or did ten language lessons on Duolingo. If you plan to read a certain number of pages or chapters or books in a set period of time, you can log your efforts toward those goals. If you planned to read 40 books a year, but only read 35, something that shows you that you DID read 35 books is a lot more motivating than the fact that you fell somewhat short of the overall goal. The metrics let you focus on what you did do.

what you didn’t do that you didn’t want to do. If your goal is to have a no-spend Sunday and you found cost-free activities and didn’t spend a penny, huzzah! Write it down! If you’re struggling to maintain no-contact status with that ex you miss but know isn’t good for you, when you complete a day of NOT CALLING THE PERSON, give yourself a prize!

*Is there anything too inconsequential to put on a Done list?

It depends on you. If you’re not struggling with depression right now, “took a shower” or “brushed teeth” is going to fill up your Done list unnecessarily. If you aren’t suffering with an eating disorder, writing “ate lunch,” or “had a healthy mid-day snack” probably needn’t show up on your list.

However, any challenge you overcome deserves to be celebrated. If you have ADHD, tracking that you got to work (or got the kids to school) on time is valid. Your Done list can track these successes, and it will remind you that you can do, and have done, hard things.

And if you struggle with giving yourself compassion, whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or illness, mental health issues, or anything that makes the tasks of daily living (including self-care, cleaning, organizing, etc.) hard, I recommend How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis.

HOW TO CREATE A DONE LIST

Add items to your Done list contemporaneously with achieving them so you won’t forget anything. If that’s not possible, schedule time at the end of the day to log and review your successes.

I know there’s a temptation to think that if you’ve already got a To-Do list, you can just check items off as you complete them. I’m not saying that you can’t do this, but it’s much too easy to forget things.

So, if you’re tempted to reject my advice to keep them separate, then please do the following:

add all of your unanticipated achievements to your To-Do list as you go
at least use a check mark or similar ✅ symbol in the left-hand margin rather than ~~striking through~~ what you’ve done; the point is to be able to see what you HAVE accomplished
move incomplete tasks to a list for the next (or some future) day; then cross out those items, remembering that crossing it out means it’s been moved, not accomplished.

However, I really encourage you to make your Done list a separate endeavor from your To-Do list.

Pick a style that reflects your preferences:

Analog Done List Formats

a handwritten paper list
a journal/bullet journal page
pretty sticky notes on the wall, perhaps in a Kanban format as I described in Checklists, Gantt Charts, and Kanban Boards – Organize Your Tasks
index cards — In 2007, Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen recommended an “anti-To-Do list” as part of Pmarca Guide to Personal Productivity, tracking accomplishments on the flip-side of an index card used for daily To-Do items.

Digital Done List Formats

a digital document in a format like Word, Google Docs, Excel, or Google Sheet
daily or weekly emails to yourself — keep a running list of “dones” and then send it to yourself to archive.
an Evernote note using the Daily Note template function, formatted to your preference
Apple’s Done List app, which allows you to type or use emoji to track your completed tasks
your phone’s Notes app

Some people post their achievements as a running list of social media posts. That requires a strong ego, thick skin, and an achievement list that doesn’t include awkward personal care tasks. If you’re an introvert or a menopausal woman, you might want to skip this method.

Not everything lends itself to a list format. Sometimes, seeing a task on a list doesn’t tell the whole story. There are times when journaling “the story of my day” will not only be the better alternative to logging achievements, but appreciating them.

Remember Unplanned Successes

Don’t forget to include huge leaps that weren’t on your list.

Did you fly for the first time since the pandemic even though you’ve been scared to do it? Did you set consequences and enforce a boundary and with someone who historically tramples them? Did you (politely but firmly) explain that you will not be “voluntold” (forced into volunteering) for a project, whether in life or at work?

Put them down as DONE!

DON’T BE DONE WITH YOUR DONE LIST

Post your Done lists for the week on a bulletin board or the fridge so that you can reflect on your successes.

Leave it side-by-side with tomorrow’s To-Do list so that when you sit at your desk, you can review yesterday’s successes before attacking today’s goals.

Put reviewing your Done list on your calendar. Review it before heading out for the weekend.

Create a Success Folder and at the end of the quarter, go through and highlight the “big ticket” successes. When you do your personal annual review, haul these out so you can record the bigger (or small but important) accomplishments. (See Organize Your Annual Review & Mindset Blueprint for 2023 for examples.)

And now…I’m done.

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Why the Humble Bankers Box is Still the MVP of Office Organization

THE HISTORY OF THE BANKERS BOX

THE BENEFITS OF BANKERS BOXES

Bankers Boxes are tougher than they look.

Bankers Boxes come flat-packed and are easy to assemble.

Bankers Boxes are manufactured without glue and require no tape for assembly.

Bankers Boxes are relatively inexpensive.

MYTHS AND SURPRISING TRUTHS ABOUT BANKERS BOXES

Myth #1: You can’t use hanging folders with Bankers Boxes

Myth #2: Bankers Boxes can’t keep piles of papers or bound materials from falling over.

Myth #3: Bankers Boxes are ugly

Myth #4: Bankers Boxes aren’t so great for the environment

Myth #5: Re-stacking Bankers Boxes is a pain

BANKERS BOX ISN’T THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN, BUT…

DO YOU REALLY NEED TO KEEP ALL THAT PAPER?

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Paper Doll Plays Ice Cream Man: Cool Organizing and Productivity Treats for Hot Days

MOD PROTECT

Time Timer MOD + Protect Case Bunny

Time Timer MOD + Protect — Tread

ZIP NOTES & DISPENSERS

Zip Notes

Zip Notes Executive Dispenser

Zip Notes Administrator Dispenser

Zip Notes Manual Dispenser

ANXIETY BOOKSHELF

What Is the Anxiety Bookshelf?

Isn’t This Just Clutter?

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Digital Disaster Prep: How to Organize Your Tech Info Before You Need It

MONGO AND A TALE OF TWO PRINTERS

NETWORK AND DEVICE INFORMATION

IP Address

Why and when do I need my IP address?

Where can I find my IP address?

Router and Modem Information

Why and when do I need my router and modem information?

Document the following router and modem information

Wi-Fi Network Information

Why and when do I need my Wi-Fi network information?

Document the following network information

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Information

Why and when do I need my ISP information?

Document the following ISP information

COMPUTERS, PHONES, TABLETS, AND PERIPHERALS

Device Identifiers

Why might I need device identifiers?

Operating System License Keys or Activation Codes

Installed Software and Product Keys

Peripheral Setup Information

Smart Home Device Information

WHAT OTHER TECH INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO TRACK?

Passwords

2-Factor Identification Backup Codes and Recovery options

Digital Legacy Information

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How to Stay Productive When It’s Too Darn Hot

WHY IT’S HARD TO STAY PRODUCTIVE WHEN IT’S HOT

The Science Behind “It’s Too Darn Hot”

Why Productivity Declines When We’re Having a Cruel Summer

MODIFY YOUR SCHEDULE ON HOT DAYS

REDESIGN YOUR WORKSPACE TO BEAT THE HEAT…

OR, RELOCATE YOUR WORKSPACE TO WHERE IT’S COOLER

REDUCE YOUR TECH TO KEEP YOUR COOL

PRACTICE SELF-CARE WHEN THE TEMPERATURES RISE

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Paper Doll on the Power of a DONE List

DON’T BE LISTLESS

Review How to Make a Big To-Do

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TO-DO LIST AND A DONE LIST?