Yes, I am one of those men who carry a bag with me most everywhere I go. I admit it, some call it a “man purse” a “murse”….others call it a pocketbook as they snicker to themselves. Let them snicker, I know the power it carries and I tell you its the part of the best habit I have, and I highly recommend it as it is the basis of my personal organization and business support system… allow me to explain further.

It started when I was 21 years old, along time ago. I was in business and could not remember every phone number or directions or who I met with and what I promised I would do, and my worst nightmare was saying I would do something and then forgetting to do it, or losing a phone number, a name etc.

I purchased a blank book, and began to write notes to myself, telephone numbers, addresses, cash flows, to do lists whatever came past me that I felt I would want to review for some reason and soon I was unable to go anywhere or do anything without my book in hand so I could jot down whatever seemed worthy of remembering.

Then I had to solve the problem of how to carry my book with me at all times so I could be certain I had it when I needed it. Thus it became clear to me I needed a bag, a man purse, a murse. I then selected a readily available version and eventually, many years later after much experimentation, I designed one that fits my needs perfectly. I still carry the same bag for over fifteen years, designed to store my blank book and other necessary items comfortably and conveniently so I have them with me at all times.

Thus the merger of the two became the basis of a survival system, my blank book and my bag. Add to my bag, a cell phone, my calculator, my blank book, a pocket for my car keys, pencils, my wallet and other stuff and its my office in a bag, always by my side and always ready to serve me. If I am in my car and hear something on the radio I may want to check out I can write it down, directions, names whatever, whenever and whom ever.

I would look ridiculous if I walked around with my brief case everywhere I go, but my “murse” is ok, its over my shoulder or held by the hand strap and its my life saver, whatever i need for survival, plane tickets, receipts, a check book, whatever, goes into my “murse” and I have my office in a bag. It is also the only effective way for me to always have my blank book with me at all times so I can refer to it or write something down that I may want to remember later.

Could I accomplish this other ways? Probably, but this works for me and has worked for me for many many years, so well that I admit my addiction and proudly carry my “murse ” with me were ever I go, as it has whatever I need to survive and succeed in it and I always have it and my blank book at my fingertips.

I have a lap top but I do not take it to dinner or when I am out with my wife, or at a ballgame or wherever I may be…but I do have my “murse” with me, thus I am always ready to jot something important down.

My blank book and my bag…the secret to my organizational success. One final note, my blank book has no lines either, I love the blank page so I can be artistic with my cash flows and notes…lines feel restrictive to me, but either work. Try it, and if you can handle the snickering, it will be a terrific tool for you, and I am asked about my bag,  as I frequently am, I say nonchalantly, its for carrying my glock! That shuts them up.

I have dug an old blank book out many many times to recapture a bit of information I recall I recorded and its always there waiting for me to refer back and rediscover the bit I was looking for, its saved my life and business many times.

I admit I love my blank book and have experimented with many until I found the exact one I liked the most.

I am seldom without my book. I use one up every three months like clock work and then purchase another and store the old one.

I no longer have to remember anything…its in my book…which is in my bag, and I have a place for my glock.