The ACE Folder Framework Flexes For You

The ACE Folder Framework expands and contracts to fit your needs.

Here is how ACE can work for a beginner, a navigator, and a zen master.

How the Beginner can use ACE

The Beginner needs to make sure not to copy other people’s complex systems. Why? Because they haven’t earned it! Here’s all they need to do…

Multi

Example

• Atlas
• Calendar
• Efforts

Commentary

• Put bits of knowledge in Atlas.
• Put meeting notes and random notes in Calendar.
• Put project-related notes in Efforts.

How the Navigator can use ACE

The navigator has more experience with knowledge management. That means they have had the necessary time to earn their structure. Beginners don’t need what the Navigator has.

Here’s how a Navigator can use Atlas

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Atlas Example

• Atlas
  • Maps
  • Notes
    • Ideas
    • Outputs
    • People
    • Sources
    • Vaults
    • X
  • Utilities
    • Images
    • Templates

Atlas Commentary

• When you have a forest of ideas, how do you not get lost? By putting your mapping notes in Maps.
• The Navigator will develop reasons to add a Notes folder, with subfolders. You might want the following:
  • An Ideas folder for reusable bits of knowledge.
  • An Outputs folder for stuff you share with others.
  • A Sources folder for “other people’s thoughts”.
  • A People folder for ideas around them.
  • A Vaults folder to load other people’s collection.
  • An X folder because knowledge is inherently fuzzy and you will want a place to stash random and less vital stuff.
• Finally, you’ll want a Ultilites folder, to separate stuff like Images and Templates.

Here’s how a Navigator can use Calendar

Multi

Fingerprint

• Calendar
  • Logs
  • Notes
    • Compass
    • Past Years

Calendar Commentary

• Once you have over 100 calendar notes, you may want to split your notes into Logs and Notes.
• Within Notes…
  • You’ll likely feel the need to put older notes in a Past Years subfolder.
  • You may also want to keep your plans & reviews in a special Compass subfolder.

Here’s how a Navigator might use Efforts

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Efforts Example

• Efforts
  • Notes
  • On
  • Ongoing
  • Simmering
  • Sleeping

Efforts Commentary

• Put your effort notes in subfolders under Notes.
• To effectively prioritize your efforts at a glance, you may want to split them into four buckets:
  • On: For the most active efforts & projects
  • Ongoing: For broader, ongoing efforts
  • Simmering: For back of mind efforts
  • Sleeping: For everything else (random, done, etc)
• Then you can see a truer estimate of your current efforts and quickly adjust your bandwidth as needed.

How the Zen Master can use ACE

The Zen Master needs little to be effective.

Multi

Example

• Atlas
• Calendar
• Efforts

Commentary

• Put bits of knowledge in Atlas.
• Put meeting notes and random notes in Calendar.
• Put project-related notes in Efforts.