PARA Method
- PARA is a method for organizing digital information
- Does this make sense to apply to a digital garden?
- Defined by Tiago Forte
- PARA stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives
Projects
Projects cover anything with a deadline. Completing a new feature, publishing some content, purchasing a vehicle. These are short-term outcomes you’re actively working on. There is a start and end; in other words, there is a defined objective to complete. “Build garage” is an example. “Home maintenance” is not.
Areas of Responsibility
Something to be maintained over time. Health and fitness, professional development, online presence. These are long-term commitments: ongoing, with no end date and no objective to complete.
Resources
A topic or theme of interest. How to take notes, gardening notes, recipes. It is a reference. A digital garden can embody a lot of what is covered in resources, but typically your resources in PARA are private and for yourself and a digital garden is generally public. I feel like the two can coexist.
Archives
Items from the above three categories that are completed, inactive, unmaintained, are no longer committed to.