The PARA Method

PARA is a universal organizational system created by Tiago Forte that can be used to organize any type of information across any platform.

What Does PARA Stand For?

PARA stands for:

  • Projects
  • Areas
  • Resources
  • Archives

These four categories encompass every type of information you might encounter in your work and life.

Projects

A Project is a series of tasks linked to a goal, with a deadline.

Characteristics of Projects

  • Has a clear end state
  • Has a specific deadline
  • Requires multiple tasks to complete
  • Examples: Complete website redesign, Plan vacation to Japan, Write quarterly report

Tips for Projects

  1. Keep project names action-oriented
  2. Define what "done" looks like
  3. Break down into manageable tasks
  4. Set realistic deadlines

Areas

An Area is a sphere of activity with a standard to be maintained over time.

Characteristics of Areas

  • Has no end date
  • Requires ongoing attention
  • Represents a responsibility
  • Examples: Health, Finances, Home maintenance, Professional development

Tips for Areas

  1. Review areas regularly
  2. Set standards, not goals
  3. Create routines and habits
  4. Don't confuse areas with projects

Resources

A Resource is a topic or theme of ongoing interest.

Characteristics of Resources

  • Topics you want to learn about
  • Reference materials you collect
  • No specific outcome required
  • Examples: Photography techniques, Cooking recipes, Industry news, Book notes

Tips for Resources

  1. Organize by topic, not source
  2. Keep only what's useful
  3. Review periodically for relevance
  4. Link to active projects when applicable

Archives

The Archive is for inactive items from the other three categories.

What Goes in Archives

  • Completed projects
  • Areas you're no longer responsible for
  • Resources that are no longer relevant
  • Anything you want to keep but don't actively use

Tips for Archives

  1. Archive completed projects immediately
  2. Don't delete, archive
  3. You can always restore items
  4. Review archives occasionally for useful material

How PARA Works in Practice

The Flow of Information

  1. New items start as Projects, Areas, or Resources
  2. When a project is completed, archive it
  3. When an area is no longer your responsibility, archive it
  4. When a resource becomes irrelevant, archive it

Cross-Category Relationships

  • Projects often relate to Areas (e.g., "Lose 10 pounds" project relates to "Health" area)
  • Resources support Projects (e.g., "Marketing strategies" resource supports "Launch campaign" project)
  • Archives preserve history for future reference

Getting Started with PARA

  1. Start with Projects - What are you actively working on?
  2. Identify Areas - What responsibilities do you maintain?
  3. Collect Resources - What topics interest you?
  4. Don't worry about Archives yet - They'll fill up naturally

Further Reading