Success Tools

This is the juicy part. Keep in mind that you need to pick some digital and some analog tools.
The goal is to have your commitment to your climate project move with you throughout the day, from the Journey Board that lives in your physical morning routine, to the digital calendar on your smart phone, to your work computer where you can jot that great idea down on your digital whiteboard, to your hand-drawn community map after supper where you can add your kid's science teacher's name.
These days most people working on climate solutions are comfortable with, and spend time in both the digital and the analog world.

Here are the digital tools: * denotes a critical element.

Digital Whiteboard

Digital Whiteboard* (Miro or Google Jamboard)

Use some application that lets you create the Journey Board and the Calendar Board. Most of the information on the Google Form goes on either the Journey Board or the Calendar Board. Feel free to add headings that help you. These headings are available in the Miro template and the Jamboard template.

=== The Journey Board is designed to do many things. First it is a reminder of why you are putting in the effort on your project. It, also, reminds you of the dream outcome you are hoping for. And most importantly, it helps you see the progress you are making as you work through the small steps that must be done in order to be successful. (The analog version has even more impact.)

=== The Calendar Board is designed to help with the implementation and scheduling of steps. It, also, is the place for community mapping and team building. A digital calendar with reminders and a digital spreadsheet for team members is a huge boost to the success of a project.

=== Brainstorming on a digital whiteboard can be done with a team even on a Zoom call.

=== Link to the Journey Board template. (Download, copy and paste into any whiteboard software.)

=== Link to the Calendar Board template. (Download, copy and paste into any whiteboard software.)

Digital Calendar

Digital Calendar* (Google, iCal, Outlook, etc.)

The advantage of a digital calendar over a paper one is huge. Reminders that pop up on computers and devices help you meet your obligations. It is easy to make repeating events show up. You can invite team members via the calendar and give the address or conference link for them to click on. All the steps on your Google Form plan will need to be put somewhere on a calendar.


Virtual Meetings

Virtual Meeting Application* (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

2020 saw a worldwide acceptance of video conferencing. Even as we get back to in-person meetings, some work is best handled on a video conference. People can share their work by sharing their computer screen (instead of printing out lots of paper). People can brainstorm and make the ideas available to all. And a virtual conference avoids all the emissions from people driving to and from a meeting.

Digital Spreadsheet

Digital Spreadsheet (Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets, etc.)

It is not essential that you use one, but there are many places where it is the best choice for information that is clear and easy to share. Budgets can take a column of figures and add them for you. Contact lists can hold lots of information. Sign up lists for tasks are easy to share.

Presentation Software

Presentation Software (Powerpoint, Keynote, Slides, etc.)

For those familiar with creating presentations, this would be another option, like the whiteboards, that could be used for the Journey Board and Calendar Board. The flexibility is not there, but it could be shared with the team.

Task Manager Tools

Task Manager Software (Asana, ClickUp, Trello, etc.)

This would be a nice addition if you have a large team with many different kinds of tasks. Since most businesses use some software for project management with teams, there are plenty of subscription services out there if you have the money. Asana and ClickUp are free and probably plenty for any community climate project. (The free version of Miro has many of the same features, too.)

Digital Journal

Digital Journal or Diary (Goodnotes, Diary, Day One, etc.)

First, a journal or diary has some of the same problems that a paper and pen action plan has. Things can disappear when you turn a page. But as an addition to a Journey Board and Calendar Board, it could be a great tool for working through the rough spots, and documenting the important things you learned that might help someone else’s project.

Here are the analog tools: * denotes a critical element.

Journey Board*
& Calendar Board* Options

Choose the largest option you have room for.

Display Boards (presentation boards)

These are made of cardboard or foam core with three vertical sections. Most are 4 ft. wide by 3 ft. tall. If you have the room, this is the best option. Remember the goal is to keep your project plan from disappearing. With this in the room, you can actually read most of what you put on the board. You will need a big table surface (or section of floor) to work on this.

Dry Erase Boards (large)

The 2 x 4 ft. whiteboards are just a bit small for this use, but could do in a pinch if you can keep it close enough to read the fine print. I would strongly suggest that you do not use dry erase markers for the headings. Use the paper ones provided with the PDFs and a removable glue stick to put headings on. (Dry erase markers will stain if left on for 2 or 3 months!) If you have some on hand, two whiteboards for the Journey Board would be fine. These are a lot more expensive than display boards, and heavier, too.

Flip Charts (chart paper)

For a small living space, the tabletop flip charts are ideal at 20 in. wide and 23 in. tall. They have their own cardboard easel and cost about as much as display boards. There is a PDF provided with headings that fits on a flip chart of this size. This is small enough to fit in a car, or an RV as well.

Regardless of what form you choose, these two boards are the key to keeping you on track.

The Journey Board should be placed where you start your day. (When I sit for my morning coffee, my Journey Board is looking right at me.) This is your daily reminder that you have committed to seeing this project through. It reminds you why you are putting in this effort. And it shows you with a glance the progress you have already made.

The Calendar Board should be placed where you do your work to email, call, video call and type things. It tracks your progress on building a team. It reminds you of how quickly the days and weeks go by. It keeps you thinking of people who could help you carry the weight. It keeps your focus on doing the work to have the project launched on schedule.

Sticky Notes

Post-it Notes* (or generic stickies)

You’ve probably seen photos of computer monitors surrounded by sticky notes. This is because by themselves, these still disappear and do not get the tasks done. They multiply and become like pencils in a mug. But when used on the Journey and Calendar Boards, they are great. Knock yourself out with colors, too.

Restickable Glue Stick

Restickable Glue Stick*

This will be used to put the headings on the boards. It keeps sticky notes really sticking on all four corners, too. You could use masking tape, but this is a much better tool and worth the money. (Some are labeled “repositionable”.) DO NOT use a regular glue stick. You will need to reposition some of these stickies as you go.

Wall Calendar

Wall Calendar (or desk calendar)

OK, I love my wall calendars. But I use mine mainly to augment my digital calendar. I also use them to log my exercise and keep track over time of health issues. Yes, you could put all your steps on a wall calendar. You just need to be checking it every day and keep it close to where you work on your project.

Appointment Book

Appointment Book (Day-Timer, At-A-Glance, etc.)

Many people still use these for business, especially those that travel and meet clients in person. Again, you could put all the steps in an appointment book, but if some step is not done, it will disappear unless you write it again on a new day. Also, you will need to check it every day and keep it close to where you work on your project.

Address Book

Address Book

This is really getting to be old school. But a rolodex still works for many people.

Journal or Diary

Journal or Diary

First, a journal or diary has some of the same problems that a paper and pen action plan has. Things can disappear when you turn a page. But as an addition to a Journey Board and Calendar Board, it could be a great tool for working through the rough spots, and documenting the important things you learned that might help someone else’s project.

Where to get stuff.

Suggested Layout

Once you have your large, medium or small boards (2), you can download the PDF of each board's labels in the size you need. Small will fit a 2ftx4ft or a 20inx23in board. Print them out and cut out the labels, then glue them on. Be sure to leave room on the Calendar Board for three months of calendar pages. You can print these out or draw them.

Printable Labels