So, PARA or no, the thing that has worked really well for me (14 months so far) is Thiago’s idea for weekly/monthly/annual reviews. This has really been the important gem for me, and while PARA helps define a framework for that, it would work with any organization method.
Basically, weekly reviews are tactical, where you can mostly mechanically prioritize the upcoming week and clear out your inboxes. Monthly are more strategic, where you take a wider look at the status of all projects, consider modifying, canceling, or reprioritizing them. And annual reviews are the same thing but addressed at the highest level of your life; you might think of it as a formalization of New Years Resolutions.
Since adopting a schedule of these reviews I have felt much more in control of my projects and work, and the time investment is about 1 hour a month to do.
Basically, weekly reviews are tactical, where you can mostly mechanically prioritize the upcoming week and clear out your inboxes. Monthly are more strategic, where you take a wider look at the status of all projects, consider modifying, canceling, or reprioritizing them. And annual reviews are the same thing but addressed at the highest level of your life; you might think of it as a formalization of New Years Resolutions.
Since adopting a schedule of these reviews I have felt much more in control of my projects and work, and the time investment is about 1 hour a month to do.