TL;DR:
- Learn to simplify life and boost productivity using the C.C.O.R.E. system: Consume, Capture, Organize, Review, Engage.
- Apply tools and intentional strategies to manage information, tasks, and time effectively.
- Adapt and personalize the system to fit your lifestyle and achieve a balance between work, family, and hobbies.
Feeling overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list? Struggling to remember or keep up with tasks? Maybe a system developed from resources like Getting Things Done by David Allen and Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte, which I call my C.C.O.R.E. system, will be useful. It helps me manage work efficiently and gives me time for family and hobbies. Here’s a breakdown.
Consume
Efficient consumption of information is crucial to avoid overwhelm. We are constantly inundated with information to consume. Just thinking of all of the resources we have access to can cause anxiety. Whether you’re online, checking email, or listening to podcasts, approach these tasks with intention. For example, when managing emails, decide on a specific goal—like deleting irrelevant messages quickly, or snoozing emails that can wait. Consider adopting the “inbox zero” approach. Have a plan for how you will consume information to stay organized.
Regular reviews and previews help ensure the system remains effective and responsive to your needs. Click To TweetCapture
To avoid forgetting ideas and tasks, use tools like Keep Notes, Notes, Voice Recorder, or Braintoss. Whenever an idea or task arises—whether from readings, conversations, or meetings—capture it immediately. I keep these apps on my phone’s home screen for easy access. My current notes include “need bananas,” “pick up the girls at 4 Monday,” and “schedule a meeting with Heather.” This way, nothing is left to chance—or my memory.
Organize
After capturing information, organize it effectively using apps like OneNote, Dropbox, Calendar, or Any.do. OneNote is one among many apps that are great for recording detailed notes, Dropbox stores documents and PDFs, and Calendar helps with scheduling. Any.do is a versatile tool for managing both daily tasks and long-term projects. For instance, “bananas” goes from being captured on a list to my grocery list app, and “pick up girls at 4” gets added to my calendar, with reminders set for 30 minutes before.
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Review
Regularly review and adjust your system. Every Sunday, spend 5-10 minutes planning for the week ahead, checking appointments, and setting reminders. On Fridays, reflect on accomplishments and plan any adjustments that need to be made. Regular reviews and previews help ensure the system remains effective and responsive to your needs.
Engage
Overcome analysis paralysis by taking immediate action. If an email takes less than two minutes to handle, do it now. If you have 10 minutes, listen to part of a podcast. Capturing and organizing tasks reduces anxiety and helps allocate time more effectively. Set reminders for various tasks—like class schedules, workouts, or checking emails—to stay on track without mental strain.
While no system is perfect, the C.C.O.R.E. method has significantly improved my productivity and balance. Feel free to adapt these strategies to fit your needs and share your own efficiency tips!
About Aaron Beighle
Dr. Aaron Beighle is an internationally recognized scholar of physical education and school-based physical activity promotion at the University of Kentucky. For more than 20 years at UK, Aaron has trained future physical education teachers and worked in the area of youth physical activity promotion. Beighle regularly collaborates with schools and organizations around the globe interested in physical education as well as areas such as recess, youth sports, classroom-based movement, and out-of-school programming.
He has written more than 100 research-based and practical articles as well as eight books, most notably Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children 20e. Aaron recently contributed to make the widely used lesson plans for this book available via dynamicpeasap.com. Dr. Beighle presents nationally and internationally on strategies for maximizing the impact of movement to address the physical, mental, cognitive and social needs of students.
In addition, Aaron works with many educational organizations to address well-being via whole-school physical activity promotion for the entire community. Beighle holds a steadfast commitment to helping physical education guide ALL students on a journey that makes physical activity a meaningful part of their lives.
