THE WEEKLY PAGE ๐ No. 301
How I stay organized (digitally) + what to read, watch, listen to and enjoy...
One of my favorite things about August is the โBack to Schoolโ energy. Something I canโt resist, even as an adult who has been out of school for a good 18 years.
But instead of strolling the school supply aisles or picking up a new notebook, I like to direct that energy toward my digital organization. Think of it as back-to-school shopping but for adultsโฆin 2026.
Start by learning the basics of The Pies Method ๐ฅงโ my simple, 4-part framework that will help you organize digital clutter so you know where everything goes โ and, most importantly โ so you can make consistent, sustainable progress each day.
The PIES Method ๐ฅง consists of four core systems that we all need in order to be organized. I like to think of it as the flaky lattice crust that keeps all the messy filling (aka your life!) from falling apart. It looks like this:
And here is The PIES Method broken down one letter at a time for you:
โ
Project Management System: Organizes the big picture. Use it for recurring tasks and ongoing projects. I use Microsoft To-Do.
๐๏ธ Information Management System: Preserves your personal knowledge. Use it for gathering and organizing information. I use Google Drive + Google Keep.
๐ Execution Management System: Creates synergy between all systems. Use it to focus and encourage your brain to take action. I use The Daily Page Planner.
๐
Schedule Management System: Organizes your time and obligations. Use it for things that are time specific. I use Google calendar.
The existence of PIES isnโt meant to imply that you wonโt have MORE than these four systems โ most people will.
But what Iโve found is that when someone is feeling disorganized itโs almost a guarantee that they are missing at least one of these, or they are trying to make one of these systems do the job of two (or more!). When we go back to basics to ensure these four systems are in place and functioning properly, we are much better equipped to maintain all the systems required for our life and work.
And now we have AI to consider, too! A year ago I was wondering if AI would make The PIES System obsolete. But through my experience learning Claude, Iโve realized that AI has made The PIES System even MORE relevant โ a strong digital foundation is mandatory when working with AI tools.
Feel like you need to get your digital life in order before class begins? I have a comprehensive series of posts that walk you through every single step. Have questions along the way? Just ask them in the comments on each post and Iโll be happy to help:
Introducing The PIES Method for Digital Organization๐ฅง
How to Set Up Your Project Management System โ
How to Set Up Your Information Management System ๐๏ธ
How to Set Up Your Schedule Management System ๐
How to Set Up Your Execution Management System ๐
The PIES Method: Two Habits for Strong Systems ๐ช๐ป
Happy Organizing,
๐ READ: Iโve heard a lot about this book, but finally found a physical copy in English and started reading it last week. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, is written by Canadian journalist Omar El Akkad and is a short book that started as a Tweet he wrote in 2023, which he then expands on throughout the book to critically examine western imperialism and hypocrisy. Learn more and get a copy.
๐บ WATCH: Last Saturday I took myself out for an afternoon showing of the documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab. I viscerally remember the day in January 2024 when 5-year-old Hind was trapped in a car in Gaza, along with the bodies of her six family members. I remember when initial details started coming out, the helpless feeling as activists and people on-the-ground in Gaza pleaded on social media to help spread the word and get the Israeli military to allow safe passage for her rescue. I remember the devastation I felt when, weeks later, we learned what happened to her and the ambulance workers trying to rescue her. It felt surreal to see it play out on a screen, and aligning it with the posts I remember seeing and reading that day. If you donโt know Hindโs story, you can get an overview on Wikipedia, but Iโd suggest watching this documentary if you can (TW war, violence, murder, genocide). Watch the trailer below:
๐ง LISTEN: When it first emerged, the World Wide Web promised us โa borderless world of knowledge, connection, and freedomโ. But has it delivered?โ Mindy Seau is a technologist, UCLA associate professor, and author of A Sexual History of the Internet, and this conversation is a fascinating look at how the internet has actually impacted the world and how a group of billionaires are shaping our online and offline experiences. Listen below:
๐งก ENJOY: Pizza on the grill is a summer staple at our place, and Iโm always looking for new types of pizza to try out โ especially ones with interesting protein. This weekend Iโm planning to try out this Thai Curry Pizza (featuring ground chicken). Grab the recipe here.
HOW I CAN HELP:
๐๐ปโโ๏ธQUESTIONS/FEEDBACK: Ask me a question, submit feedback, or suggest a topic right here.
๐ป PROJECT PACKAGES: Bring me on board to design your website, create digital products, and optimize the backend systems for your business with my Project Packages.
๐CONSULTING CALLS: Have regular calls with me to work through goals, get accountability, plan your next big launch, or talk business strategy with a Call Package.
๐ FAVORITE BOOKS: View my favorite books on Bookshop.org and support independent bookstores with a purchase. You can use the code BSO15 for 15% off any book on Daniโs Top 10 List.
๐ MY SHOP: Visit my Paper Goods Shop for planners, calendars, and more (take 10% off with the code SUBSTACK at checkout).
๐ FREE TOOLS: Visit my Resources Page for free downloads, spreadsheets, and eBooks.






Is this finally my year to get organized?! We'll see! I've taken ALL your Google Calendar advice, and that's one system that's fully operational for me. I use a paper planner week to week, and a combo of TickTick for project management and the Notes app for shared lists... Now I need to streamline my storage systems since I'm all over the place โ Google Drive, Dropbox, desktop, and external hard drives.๐คช