The Chimera of Perfect Tools
There are as many methods as there are people on this blue planet. At every corner of the web, a new approach emerges, presented as the long-awaited miracle.
But aren't we chasing a chimera ?
An Illusion That Possesses Us ?
Before going any further, I must confess : concentrating has never been easy for me. My mind is in constant motion, always seeking new thoughts. When I finally manage to settle down, it's often thanks to music. It acts as a catalyst. But despite that, sometimes, ideas explode, questions arise out of nowhere.
Today, while using Superlist, a question crossed my mind : Why have I returned to something simple for my notes and tasks ?
That’s why I resumed writing through journaling. It allows me to capture fleeting ideas, unload them from my mind, and later transform them into structured reflections.
I've tested countless tools and methods : Notion, ClickUp, Obsidian filled with plugins... I explored all these solutions with enthusiasm—I regret nothing and still love these tools. But one question arose:
Is it really useful ?
Building endless databases, accumulating plugins, constantly adding new features... Does this truly serve us ?
To be clear, I have nothing against tools like Notion, which can be incredibly useful for teams.
But are they truly the right tools for managing our personal knowledge and tasks ?
Aren’t we like crows fascinated by shiny objects, believing that the next tool will finally solve all our problems and be our salvation ?
With this in mind, I decided to conduct an experiment : using only Apple applications (Notes, Reminders, and Calendar).
Minimalism Might Not Be the Solution… And why not ?
When I work with clients, I often notice the same fear : the fear of empty space. They want to fill every inch, as if "less is more" were a threat.
I feel like we react the same way with the tools we use daily.
This nagging feeling of insufficiency haunts us : "It’s not enough, I need more." And so, we endlessly browse the internet, trying to fill that gap. A never-ending distraction.
That’s why I decided to use only Apple applications, to reassess my real needs and distinguish the essential from the superfluous.
The first few days were tough. My habits were deeply ingrained. But over time, I realized something surprising : I was saving time. What I once considered an efficient system was actually an infernal machine that consumed more energy than it gave me back.
Of course, Apple’s apps weren’t perfect. But the experiment was a success : I now know what I truly need, instead of chasing what others promote.
Keeping It Simple, Quite Simply.
Today, I no longer use Apple’s applications. Not because they aren’t good, but because others offer the same functionalities with a more refined design. Which is quite surprising, coming from Apple, when you think about it.
For my notes and projects, I use Bear—simple, beautiful, and flexible enough to adapt to my workflow.
For tasks, I oscillate between Things and Superlist, with a preference for the latter. I’ve structured my system around a folder called "Base Camp," containing three lists :
Focus : Tasks for today. I include a "Done ✅" section to track my progress. A weekly review helps me maintain perspective and avoid feeling like I never do enough.
Base Camp : Three sections—"This Week" (tasks I might tackle if I finish my Focus list early), "Later" (tasks without a set date but that I want to do eventually), and "On Hold" (projects currently paused to clear my mental space).
University : To track my ongoing courses.
As for my calendar, I still use Apple Calendar, blocking time by themes (focus, routine, university...) and referring to Superlist for specific tasks.
Right now, this is what works for me.
What truly matters is finding your own system. Not your neighbor’s. Not the one sold as "the ultimate method."
Finding a method that suits you is a long journey filled with obstacles. But whenever the shiny object syndrome resurfaces, one phrase comes back to me:
A simple sheet of paper is enough to manage your tasks. Nothing more, nothing less.