Tickler file

What It Means

A tickler file is a set of folders that holds papers and reminders until the day you need to see them again. David Allen's version in Getting Things DoneGetting Things DoneDavid Allen's productivity system, from his book Getting Things Done, for capturing everything on your mind and deciding the next action on each item. See more uses 43 folders: 31 daily folders numbered 1 to 31 and 12 monthly folders named for the months. You file something under the day or month it matters, and you check that day's folder each morning, so the item comes back on schedule without sitting on your desk in the meantime.

How People Say It

• "Tickle it for the 15th."
• "It's in the tickler, it'll come back up next month."
• "I put the tickets in the folder for Friday."

The Breakdown

Setting one up

1. Get 43 file folders, or a pre-printed set.
2. Label 31 of them 1 through 31 for the days of the month.
3. Give the other 12 the names of the months.
4. Line them up with the daily folders in front, starting with tomorrow's date. Next month's folder goes behind the daily ones, followed by the rest of the months.

Using it (Buhata's own summary of how the folder order keeps itself current)

1. When something needs your attention on a later date, drop it in that day's folder, or in the month's folder if it's further out.
2. Each morning, open today's folder and move what's inside onto your desk or task listTo-do listA written list of the tasks you plan to do, checked or crossed off as each one is finished. See more.
3. Put the empty folder at the back of the daily run, so it's ready to take items for the same date next month.
4. When a new month begins, open its monthly folder and spread the contents into the daily folders.

What goes in it

Short version to try today. Pick one item you're keeping on the counter so you won't forget it, and give it a date. Even a single envelope marked with that date starts the habit.

Where It Comes From

The tickler file is part of David Allen's Getting Things Done system. His official GTD site calls it a longtime staple of his own setup and describes it as a way to be your own post office, mailing things back to yourself for the exact day you need them.

Good to Know

A tickler file only works if you open it every day, since nothing reminds you it's there. It suits the items GTD's clarify step puts on hold, the ones that aren't for now. Buhata's own suggestion is to glance at the next few days' folders during your weekly reviewWeekly reviewA regular session, usually weekly, where you clear your inboxes, bring your lists and calendar up to date and decide what matters next. See more. A digital tickler works the same way: a dated reminder or calendar entry that brings the item back on the right day.

Related Terms and Categories

• Getting Things Done

  David Allen's productivity system, from his book Getting Things Done, for capturing everything on your mind and deciding the next action on each item.

• Weekly review

  A regular session, usually weekly, where you clear your inboxes, bring your lists and calendar up to date and decide what matters next.

• Inbox zero

  An email method from Merlin Mann's 2006 series on 43 Folders: work the inbox down to empty on a regular schedule and keep it that way.

Productivity methods and focus