# From 00 to 99: The Numbered System That Organizes My Work—and My Mind ## A framework that spans tasks, notes, and archives across every tool I use. Published [[2025-07-27]] on [Idea Waypoints](https://ideawaypoints.substack.com/p/from-00-to-99-the-numbered-system) --- I've been asked about my file organization so many times that I finally realized: this isn't just about folders. It's about building a mental model that travels with you. My entire digital life currently runs on 8 numbered buckets. Whether I'm in Obsidian, OmniFocus, DEVONthink, or just browsing files on my Mac, the structure is identical. When I see `35`, I know it's my current employer – no matter which app I'm in. What started as a filing trick became the backbone of how I eliminate decision fatigue across every tool I use. > Want to see the full structure in action? I document my complete file hierarchy SOP at [notes.leahferguson.com](https://notes.leahferguson.com/00+Meta/04+SOP/File+Hierarchy+SOP) ## The Power of Consistent Structure Think of it like working in a design or architectural firm where each project gets a code. You don't memorize details – you memorize the shorthand. That's what this system gives me: a mental model that scales. The beauty isn't in the specific numbers (though I'll share some of mine). It's in the consistency. My brain doesn't reset when I switch between apps because the organizational logic stays the same. ## My 8 Core Areas of Focus ### 00 Meta **The system behind the system** Templates, SOPs, naming conventions. Everything that _runs_ the rest. ### 10 Personal **Life admin and identity** Health records, morning routines, anything that's just for me. ### 20 Learning **Formal and informal education** Graduate school notes, conferences, courses, active learning projects. ### 30 Professional **Work and career strategy** Resume, portfolio, industry connections. `35` is always my current employer. ### 40 Atomic **Fleeting notes and experiments** My Zettelkasten playground. When something lands here, I don't stress about perfect categorization – good naming and search handle the rest. ### 50 Reference **Long-term knowledge storage** Books, papers, podcasts, anything I might cite later. PDFs live in DEVONthink but link into Obsidian. This includes all of my sources from grad school. I made the decision early on that I have such significant overlap in my professional practice, academic research, and personal research that it didn't make sense to silo them into domain subfolders. ### 60 Games **Tabletop RPGs and worldbuilding** Campaign notes, game system, storytelling tools. (Yes, this gets its own bucket. No regrets.) ### 70 Automation **Scripts and workflows** Shortcuts, Keyboard Maestro macros, anything that makes the system smarter. ### 80 Content **Writing and publishing** » this is new, and in experimental form! Active drafts, editorial calendars, publishing workflows. ## Zooming In: The Subfolder Logic Within each area, I group sub-numbering: Within each area, I then create subfolders for the next chunk in materal. For instance, the start of **00 Meta** breaks down to: - **01 Inbox** → Unprocessed captures from any source - **02 Journals** → Daily, weekly, monthly, annual logs - **03 Resources** → Templates and reusable tools This pattern repeats everywhere. Admin folders get `.00` and archives end in `.99`. The most-used stuff floats to the top and the material referenced less frequently fall to the bottom. ## Built for Flow, Not Perfection The system isn't static – it's documented and evolving. I leave gaps in numbering for future needs and adjust when I hit friction points. The magic happens when you realize you've stopped thinking about where things go. You decided once, then scaled it everywhere. Whether you're brainstorming in one app or scheduling in another, your mental model stays intact. That's the real power: not just organization, but internal coherence. **The question isn't which tool you use. It's whether your system supports how you think across time and tools.** --- **Today's question:** What’s one naming or organizing habit that’s made your work easier?