The Moleskine evangelist in me has given up protesting. I think I’ve finally made him understand that there’s no shame being absolutely outstanding at one thing - as opposed to being pretty good at everything. Making an evangelist understand anything is a challenge, but Mr. Moleskine (yes, he has a name) is especially contrary when it comes to change.

It’s not as though Mr. Moleskine is unreasonable. He’s just proud. After all, every GTD discussion I’ve had for the past couple of years has included a reference to his services, almost always followed by unabashed praise for his talents. You see, Mr. Moleskine brings you an excitement that’s so fundamental and old school that it’s easily overlooked. It’s the excitement that comes from the veritable “oneness” of mind, hand and paper; it’s the appeal of writing, drawing or composing on a medium that has the potential to last longer than you; it’s the transmission of intangible to tangible…and it’s the beauty with which a Moleskine does all this that really nabs you.

If the last paragraph hasn’t convinced you that Mr. Moleskine is still one of my favorites, then you’ve been drinking too much of his pessimistic Kool-Aid.

As he and I have discussed, it’s not that I’m kicking him out of the clan. I’m not even stripping his title. When someone wants to talk about the most desirable, efficient and practical way to put their thoughts on paper, I will fly his banner. It’s just that I want him to do what he does best for my situation - and little more.

Mr. Moleskine is now a capture tool, first and foremost. He’s no longer the retainer of my lists, though he does hold on to various pieces of info (I call them “nuggets”) that I might need any place/any time. Mr. Moleskine received a tab makeover - though calling it a makeover, as opposed to a removal, is a bit disingenuous. We’re now talking about one tab separating the “capture zone” from the aforementioned “nugget zone.” Capture Zone is comparable to an inbox, and items get crossed off as they’re processed. Nugget Zone is populated with quick reference items that I find handy, and that’s it.

I’m getting tired of of the names that Mr. Moleskine has started calling his “list holder” replacement. When I first told him that Toodledo was coming in to help out with the lists, there was little reaction. But now I can’t go an hour without hearing reference to “Toodlepoo,” “Toodledookie,” or “Toodledoomedtofaillikeveryotheronlineserviceyou’vetried.” Toodledo just smiles, as he understands…

It’ll just be a matter of time before Mr. Moleskine comes around, I’m sure.