PARA Method
An organizational system based on actionability rather than category
Core Idea: PARA is a universal organizational system that sorts information into four categories based on how actionable it is rather than what kind of information it is.
Key Elements
Four Categories
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Projects Project Definition
- Short-term efforts with specific outcomes and deadlines
- Currently active work with defined completion criteria
- Time-bound commitments with clear endpoints
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Areas Area Definition
- Long-term responsibilities with no end date
- Ongoing standards that need to be maintained
- Continuous aspects of life and work requiring attention
-
Resources Resource Definition
- Topics or interests that may be useful in the future
- Reference materials organized by subject
- Information collected for potential future value
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Archives Archive Definition
- Inactive items from the other three categories
- Completed projects, obsolete areas, or rarely used resources
- Historical information preserved but not in active use
Category Examples
Projects Examples
- Work projects: Complete website design, create presentation, develop project schedule
- Personal projects: Finish language course, plan vacation, find volunteer opportunity
- Side projects: Publish blog post, launch campaign, complete online course
Areas Examples
- Personal: Home, health, finances, relationships, personal growth
- Professional: Departments/functions you manage, teams you lead, professional development
Resources Examples
- Topics of interest: Architecture, interior design, literature
- Research subjects: Habit formation, notetaking, nutrition
- Reference information: Itineraries, goals, testimonials
Implementation Principles
- Actionability-first: Organize based on how information will be used
- Decision hierarchy: Projects > Areas > Resources > Archives
- Flexibility: System adapts to changing priorities and needs
- Cross-platform: Can be implemented across different tools and apps
- Universal applicability: Works for both physical and digital information
Benefits
- Reduces decision fatigue: Clear guidelines for where things belong
- Supports project completion: Prioritizes active, relevant information
- Creates natural archive process: Clear path for transitioning inactive items
- Separates actionable from non-actionable: Prevents mixing of different types of information
- Scalable: Works for both small and large information collections
Applications
- Digital notes and documents
- File systems and cloud storage
- Physical papers and items
- Task and project management
- Team organization and collaboration
Additional Connections
- Broader Context: Personal Knowledge Management (broader discipline)
- Applications: Project Checklists (enhances project management within PARA)
- See Also: CODE Method (complementary process for knowledge processing)
References
- Forte, Tiago. "Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential" (2022)
#organization #productivity #knowledge-management #project-management
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