Sometimes I think when we find ourselves loaded down with software and chasing the latest trend down the million rabbit holes of so-called “productivity” advice: forums, books, podcasts, etc., that it’s best to stop. Shut down the computer. Quit reading advice. Assess your personal circumstances and what itches really need to be scratched.
I’d take out a sheet of paper and a pencil. Do a self assessment; in whatever way comes to mind. Maybe list the five top of mind answers to “why do I feel disorganized” – or lacking control, or feeling overwhelmed, or whatever story you tell yourself that drives you batty. And then “what would make me feel satisfied with my organization” – or control, etc.
Think about that for a while. Put away the sheet. Come back to it tomorrow, and the day after. Change the ranking on your top five list maybe, or restate the problem. Just refine the list for a few days without feeling compelled to do anything about it.
And then after a few days, when you really feel you know the problem, ask yourself: what should I do to improve item #1? And then only do that for a week. Or maybe a month. Until you begin to feel you’ve mastered that issue. Then move on to the next (if #2 is still the next issue by then).
The point is that self-reflection tempered by empowering yourself to act, and then the satisfaction from acting, is worth more than any software, or “workflow” or anything the culture is telling you you need to do.