Four Categories to Encompass Your Entire Life

PARA is based on a simple observation: there are only four categories that encompass all the information in your life.⁴

You have projects you’re actively working on—short-term efforts (whether in your work or personal life) that you take on with a certain goal in mind. For example:

• •  Complete webpage design
• •  Buy a new computer
• •  Write research report
• •  Renovate the bathroom
• •  Finish Spanish-language course
• •  Set up new living room furniture

You have areas of responsibility—important parts of your work and life that require ongoing attention more broadly. These might include:

• •  Work responsibilities such as Marketing, Human Resources, Product Management, Research and Development, Direct Reports, or Software Development
• •  Personal responsibilities such as Health, Finances, Kids, Writing, Car, or Home

Then you have resources⁵ on a range of topics you’re interested in and learning about, such as:

• •  Graphic design
• •  Organic gardening
• •  Web design
• •  Japanese cuisine
• •  Photography
• •  Marketing assets

Finally, you have archives, which include anything from the previous three categories that is no longer active but you might want to save for future reference:

• •  Projects you’ve completed or put on hold
• •  Areas that are no longer active or relevant
• •  Resources that you’re no longer interested in