Comments on: Don’t be fooled by the calendar

By: Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:07:35 +0000

Dan – Thanks for the suggestion – I’ll take a look at it. I’ve been using Central Desktop, but (obviously) not as thoroughly as I need to!

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:50:35 +0000

If you’d like a tool for managing your time and projects, you can use this application inspired by David Allen’s GTD:

http://www.Gtdagenda.com

You can use it to manage and prioritize your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version is available too.

By: Rodney@Blogging with WordPress

Rodney@Blogging with WordPress — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:52:48 +0000

My philosophy is similar to Stephen’s: I prioritise my list and (in theory anyway) only work on the highest priority stuff. The rest sits there until it becomes the highest priority.

I’ve found that having a system like this definitely helps with the feeling of being overwhelmed by all the stuff you have to do. Sure, the list never gets any shorter – in fact I tend to write down stuff that I may never get to, but capturing the thought releases me to better focus on whatever else I’m doing – but I feel more in control of it.

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By: Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:55:15 +0000

Thanks for the tip Stephen! I’ll definitely check out ZTD. A little simplification sounds like a good thing.

By: Stephen Nolen

Stephen Nolen — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:35:52 +0000

One thing I forgot to mention is if GTD is too overwhelming, Lou Babauta’s “Zen to Done” or ZTD might be helpful if you haven’t seen it already. Based on GTD but put together as ‘habits’ like Covey they outline GTD but with a slant towards simplifying.

I don’t go so far as to remove things from my list as suggested but simply hide them as someday/maybe future items. You wouldn’t want to lose all those great ideas you’ve had!

Take Care
-Stephen

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By: Pat Wells

Pat Wells — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:25:57 +0000

Life is always about prioritizing, isn’t it. This time of year that seems to be particularly important. I have many ideas that never get looked at again, much less implemented because I fail to prioritize. Good reminder!

By: Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:54:39 +0000

Stephen – I love your phrase “list of doom”! That’s perfect! Or rather, it’s not a perfect situation, but it’s a perfect description.

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I think you hit on something with the weekly review. I’m too lax on that part myself. I can suck up a full day on the weekly review, and still not get everything reviewed. So I don’t do it weekly, and then it gets longer, and then I don’t do it…

I know a lot of people busier than I am manage to make this system work, so there must be a way!

By: Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:49:21 +0000

Eric – You’re right that time management can actually add its own layer of time burdens. That’s what I feel when I look at my in box – just the time to process the tasks is a lot, and that doesn’t actually get them done — it just gets them onto the list!

By: Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:47:33 +0000

Billy – I love the “every minute counts” philosophy, but I admit I have problems with actually doing it every minute! (-:

Dave – You’re too right about taking time for the things that are fun, interesting, and “just for us”. Those tend to take a back seat.

Khushe – That concept of “value my time” is an important one. Gee, how much of it should I fritter away watching TV?

By: Stephen Nolen

Stephen Nolen — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:02:36 +0000

Ahh I do understand Deanna – your “list to do” has turned into a “list of doom”. I feel the same often and found my problem was having too many things in my lists that I thought I had to do right now as next actions. Finally started shuffling them over to a someday list and then checking them during my weekly review to see what, if any, I wanted to tackle next week.

Actually just doing my weekly review has really helped me know I’m doing the best I can to accomplish what I want. Without the review, which I was lax way too long on, I felt overwhelmed.

I just try looking at my list on TaskWriter.com and my system at work as things that I 1) need/should do now, 2) should do very soon, and 3) would like to do someday. I filter everything down to the need/should do now and concentrate on them after identifying them during my review and leave the rest for the next review… they never go away that way but I don’t stress over them either. Of course I keep capturing as well but it sounds like you have many more ideas than I do.

Don’t give up – I bet if you look back on this year and really check what you’ve gotten done you may be surprised!

-Stephen

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