.png)
PARA is short for Projects—Areas—Resources—Archives, the four top-level categories that encompass every type of information you might encounter in your work and life. PARA is a method of organizing information that Tiago Forte developed while navigating his health recovery, and his urge to create and contribute his systems to the world. PARA is the perfect organizational system because it is universal, flexible, simple, actionable, cross-platform, and outcome-oriented.
ㅤ
The architecture of PARA is inspired by the way our brains organize information. Our brains have two hemispheres: the left hemisphere is responsible for logic and analysis, while the right hemisphere is responsible for intuition and synthesis. PARA mirrors this dichotomy by dividing information into two types: work-related information (projects and areas) and reference information (resources and archive). This division allows you to quickly find the information you need without sifting through irrelevant data. PARA is also flexible enough to accommodate any kind of information, from any source. Whether you're working on a personal project or a professional one, PARA can help you get it done. And because PARA is integrated with task management and project management methods, you can be sure that your work will always be aligned with your goals. Finally, PARA is cross-platform and can be used with any application. So whether you're using a PC or a Mac, PARA has got you covered.
ㅤ
The PARA system is based on the principle that our brains are not well suited to storing and retrieving information. The PARA system is designed to offload information from our human brains so that we can think more clearly and make better decisions. The four top-level categories encompass every type of information you might encounter in your work and life. Let's start with definitions.
These are very precisely formulated: A project is "a series of tasks linked to a goal, with a deadline."
Examples include: Complete app mockup; Develop project plan; Execute business development campaign; Write blog post; Finalize product specifications; Attend a conference.
An area of responsibility is "a sphere of activity with a standard to be maintained over time." Examples include: Health; Finances; Professional Development, Travel; Hobbies; Friends; Apartment, Car, Productivity, Direct reports, Product Development, Writing.
A resource is "a topic or theme of ongoing interest."
Examples include: Packing list for business travel; Codes and regulations governing the importation of goods into the United States; Best practices for writing résumés; Notes from networking events.
And finally, an archive is "a collection of past projects, activities, and resources." Examples include: Completed tax returns; Old college papers; Email correspondence with family and friends.
Priming Your Mind (and Notes) for Action With the PARA system, every piece of information you want to save can be placed into one of four categories: Projects: Short-term efforts in your work or life you’re working on now. Areas: The different areas of focus in your work or life. For me, these are things like "health", "fitness", and "personal finance". Resources: Anything you might need to reference later on, like books, articles, or websites. Archives: Anything you want to save for posterity, or just keep around in case you need it later.
ㅤ
So that's the basic idea behind PARA. Now let me show you how I've applied it in my Notion setup.
ㅤ
First, I have a general "Inbox" where I jot down anything that comes to mind. This could be an idea for a blog post, a task I need to do, or something I need to buy at the store. Once something goes into my Inbox, I then categorize it and put it into the appropriate section.
ㅤ
For example, let's say I want to write a blog post about the PARA technique. I would first add it to my Inbox, and then categorize it as a "Project". From there, I would create a new page for the blog post and start writing.
ㅤ
Another example: Let's say I need to buy some new workout clothes. I would add this to my Inbox, and then categorize it as a "Resource". From there, I would create a new page for my workout clothes shopping list.
ㅤ
As you can see, the PARA system is pretty flexible. You can use it for just about anything you need to keep track of in your life.
ㅤ
The PARA system is a great way to organize your thoughts and responsibilities, so you can better focus on each task! It allows you to store everything in an easily accessible format while still keeping your brain uncluttered for more important things! Give PARA a try today, I am attaching some template down below for get you started!
.png)