Four ways keeping it old school can make your modern work life better

Happy Birthday, TakeTwo! Congratulations to Bix & Stephanie and to all the incredible Nonprofits who make up TakeTwo Services’ clientele on four years of communication and fundraising collaboration for so many great causes.

TakeTwo Services launched four years ago. While 2011 wasn’t exactly the dark ages, in our super speedy culture, it was a different time. In 2011 we didn’t know Edward Snowden or Pope Francis and SCOTUS hadn’t yet ruled in favor of gay marriage. We hadn’t seen the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and Snapchat was just being launched. In 2011, TakeTwo didn’t have a long roster of contributing staff and I wasn’t yet fortunate enough to be on board.

In honor of four years of TakeTwo Services, I’m embracing nostalgia with four old school items that just might make a very modern, very web-based work-life easier!

1. Pen & Paper

Last month, I had more on my plate than usual with lots of exciting projects for many different clients. Each one seemed to be my number one priority. I started to feel overwhelmed. I didn’t want to drop any balls. Each of these organizations was working on behalf of a really important cause or special project and I needed to give each one my best. I needed to see my work clearly, assess what I knew, determine my next steps and make timelines. My brain was full with lots of really important and new information. I needed things SIMPLE. I realized having four clients was a lot like having four classes when I was in college. I got four binders and loose leaf paper. I made all my notes on paper and kept everything in my binders. I kept all my notes, questions, brainstorms, and lists in the appropriate binder. It’s not a long term system for me. Generally, I’m a folders in google docs kind of girl. ( I also love evernote and Freedcamp) But for an intense month where the stakes were extra high and the work heavy, the old familiar way kept things simple and organized for my admittedly overtaxed brain.

2. Phone calls

When we were in middle school, my best friend and I would talk on the phone for hours after being at school (together) all day. I really can’t remember what we talked about, but we had enough to cover, that our arms apparently got tired so my friend figured out a way to attach the cordless phone to her head using headbands. Twenty some odd years later, the entire world seems to be “attached” to our phones. Yet, we don’t seem to use them for phone calls. A marketing colleague recently told me that she had called Facebook with questions about their changing requirements for placing ads. “Hold on!” I said, “You just CALLED FACEBOOK? Like on the phone?” Minutes later I did the same thing and my questions were answered in about ⅛ the time it would have taken me to research the same answer on the web. Also, I have weekly phone calls with most of my clients. It’s amazing how much more we can understand each other, prioritize, and just feel connected in a way we can’t when we do everything over email. In an age where I even use the internet to order delivery, a phone call seems that much more personal, special and almost quirky. My clients appreciate it and my time management benefits.

3. Manners

I work with this organization where the office manager — like so many nonprofit staff–wears many many hats! He’s the de facto tech manager, the caterer, the archivist and the receptionist. He answers the phone (see above) every time I call and I can practically hear his smile across the phone. He manages to make it sound as if he were just waiting for my call. This has got to be great for their clients and everyone who calls. He also sends gracious emails with warm salutations, a little praise, and a huge thank you at the end. This is a man you want to bend over backwards to assist because he’s just so darned kind. We’re all rushed these days. I know! As a parent to a three-year old, I spend a lot of time reminding him to say “please” and “thank you” and “excuse me and “I’m sorry.” We grownups should remember too. Manners are old school, classy, refreshing, and frankly, make other people want to help you faster and better!

4. The Newspaper

My spouse and I subscribe to the print version of the New York Times. I had canceled a few years ago in protest of the most annoying commercial ever. But we re-subscribed recently when we realized that our kids might never see a newspaper or know that they have parents who read the news if we are always looking at articles on our phones or laptops. Here’s the thing! It’s been great for work. Articles in print catch my eye in a way they might not in web form. I find content for social media; I notice more bylines by colleagues; and I read more interesting pieces that make me more well rounded and better read. Also, it’s such a nice break from all that screen time. I can’t recommend an old school print newspaper enough. You’re working, but you kind of feel like you are on vacation!

What old school tools do you embrace? Maybe this? Or this? Or this or these? Hopefully not this. Or these. Or this.

Amanda is a creative thinker who has been supporting readers, writers and do-gooders as a communications strategist, writer, editor, manager and events producer for more than ten years. A devoted reader, Amanda started her career in book publishing before landing in the nonprofit world. She currently manages social media for TakeTwo. Are you following us on Twitter and Facebook?