Communicating With Your Future Self
By Andy Anderson
Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
Companion Video: 15 minutes
Hands-On Exercise: 15 minutes
Introduction
So far we’ve built a strong foundation for organizing our digital workshop.
You’ve learned why organization matters, how files and folders work together, and how to build a Lifetime Project Library.
Today we’re going to solve another problem that frustrates almost every computer user.
How do you name your files so you’ll still understand them next week…
next month…
or even next year?
It may sound like a small detail, but a good file name can save hours of confusion.
Your Future Self Is a Different Person
Have you ever opened a project folder and found files named:
Chair.crv
Chair2.crv
Chair New.crv
Chair Final.crv
Chair Final 2.crv
Chair Final Really Final.crv
I certainly have.
At the time, every name made perfect sense.
I knew exactly what I had changed.
Then life happened.
The phone rang.
A customer called.
Dinner was ready.
A week passed.
When I returned, I had no idea which file represented my latest work.
Instead of building furniture, I spent fifteen minutes opening files trying to figure out which version I wanted.
The problem wasn’t the software.
The problem was that I had forgotten to communicate with my future self.
Every File Should Tell a Story
A good file name answers important questions before you even open it.
Ask yourself:
- What project is this?
- What part is it?
- Which version is it?
- Is this the file I want?
If your file name answers those questions, you’ll spend less time searching and more time building.
Be Descriptive
Instead of:
Chair.crv
Try:
Stickley Dining Chair – Seat Frame.crv
Instead of:
Leg.dxf
Try:
Stickley Chair – Front Leg – Revision B.dxf
The extra few seconds you spend naming a file today may save you several minutes—or even hours—later.
One Simple Revision System
You don’t need an elaborate document management system.
Most hobby woodworkers can stay organized with a very simple approach.
For example:
Seat Frame – Rev A
Seat Frame – Rev B
Seat Frame – Rev C
Each time you make an important design change, save the next revision.
Now you always know which version came later.
You can even return to an earlier idea if needed.
Save Milestones, Not Every Mouse Click
You don’t need to save a new file every five minutes.
Instead, save a new revision when you’ve completed an important milestone.
Perhaps you’ve:
- Redesigned the joinery
- Changed the chair height
- Finished laying out all the toolpaths
- Completed the carving
- Prepared the file for machining
Those are meaningful revisions worth saving.
Another Habit That Helps
Before you close your computer for the day, ask yourself one question:
“If I opened this project six months from now, would I know exactly where I left off?”
If the answer is no, take another minute.
Rename the file.
Add a note.
Create a new revision.
Your future self will appreciate the effort.
Companion Video
In today’s companion video, I’ll show you the naming system I use in my own shop.
We’ll look at real project folders, compare confusing file names with descriptive ones, and discuss simple revision strategies that keep projects organized without becoming complicated.
I’ll also share a few mistakes I’ve made over the years and the habits I’ve developed to avoid repeating them.
As always, pause the video whenever you’d like to try the ideas on your own computer.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is making your future projects easier to manage.
Hands-On Exercise
Open one of your existing project folders.
Look at every file name.
Ask yourself:
“If I came back one year from now, would these names still make sense?”
Rename any files that need clearer descriptions.
If your project has multiple revisions, create a simple revision naming system before moving on.
The Legacy Principle
Every file name is a message to your future self.
Make sure it’s a message you’ll understand.
Looking Ahead
In our next lesson we’ll learn how to safely copy, move, and organize files without accidentally losing them.
These simple skills will give you the confidence to reorganize your Lifetime Project Library without fear.
Build more, build faster, build a better future.