Write Down Your Daily Tasks On Paper
Productivity January 18th, 2007Presently, I am using KGTD + OmniOutliner Professional (I’ll soon use OmniFocus) to keep track of my to-do list. But there is one other thing I do each and every day, to make sure I’m on track to knock things off the un-nerving to-do list.
In the morning, before I do anything else (including waking the Mac), I grab my notepad and pen, and write down all the things I’d like to achieve on that day. Sometimes I write different kinds of tasks in different colours, but all you need to do is get down the things you want to do in the day onto paper.
Okay, you’re all thinking, why do I need to write it on paper when it’s already on my digital list? The answer is simple, because it feels good to cross off tasks when you complete them, seeing the task on paper makes it more likely you will get it done. In the evening, I don’t go to sleep until everything on the list is complete.
Having your list on paper makes it easier to see what you need to do, and once the day is over you can throw it into the trash knowing the day was a success.
January 18th, 2007 at 1:34 am
I kind of like that idea! I do get a good feeling crossing things off my list. I even made a card with the names of all my exams, so I can cross off when I’m finished studying for them.
January 18th, 2007 at 2:26 am
I have to try this…
But in the evening!
I always get all the ideas on what do when I’m about to fall asleep.
I’m just too lazy. ;)
January 18th, 2007 at 3:16 am
That does sound like a great idea!
(Hey Glenn, a little tip…”own the tings you want to do in the day onto paper.” Re-read that. :-))
January 18th, 2007 at 4:01 am
You really need to do a spell check before you post these things. Also you should take a few notes on blogs like 43f and lifehacker, your posts are very heavy on the “me’s” and I’s - try giving less you-centric productivity posts.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:27 am
I try to do the same thing, except replacing “paper” with “backpack” - my homepage title is renamed every day to the current date, and I have separate lists for personal and work tasks. Every evening I try to make sure everything is checked off before heading to bed, and if it’s not, the item is still on the list for the next day.
Works wonders and you’re not killing trees. :)
January 18th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Yep, No program will ever match the good old pen and paper ;)
January 18th, 2007 at 8:09 am
I actually do this!
I have a notepad next and a pen next to me and on most days I write down a little todo list or try to keep track of what I do need doing…
Unfortunately, lots of things get added and very little gets crossed off.
Nevermind, eh? ; )
January 18th, 2007 at 10:07 am
This is the only way i’ll survive.. no program does this properly…
spell check, my friend!
“Okay, your all thinking,”
my all thinking?
January 18th, 2007 at 11:32 am
@Indraneel: He never spell checks; sometimes you see errors. It’s mostly pretty good, though.
January 18th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I agree with zzap. I didn’t mean to sound mean with the whole ‘ting’ thing. Sorry Glenn.
January 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I was doing the same thing up until about a week and a half ago. I decided that I was wasting too much time writing out the tasks that needed to get done for the day, so I ended up creating an additional context called “!NextActions.” Now all I do is change the context for the items I want to complete that day, print that context and I’m ready to have a productive day.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
1 word: Moleskine
The best 20$ I spent in my entire life. (After the Playboy membership of course :P)
January 19th, 2007 at 7:12 am
I used kGtd for a while, but then again, it seemed kinda too boxy for me. Plus, I dont always have my Macbook with me.
So a Moleskine was the next step. I always was a pen and paper girl anyway.
Frankly, the Moleskine was just a luxury, any notebook will do. It’s just that it’s so practical and sexy. :)
January 20th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
My Moleskine is arriving in about 2 days and I’m really looking forward to applying GTD to it. I thought of using kGTD, but using a notebook and pen is so much easier in my opinion. Glenn, you should show us some more of your GTD/Productivity stuff, I really enjoy them.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:31 am
Intresting… but here’s the thing with paper… I think the problem is you have to tak it every where with you. Say you’re at work or whatever and you want to check of a to do list, well you’d have to bring your paper along. I prefer doing it online… and I might have misunderstood you, but you CAN check of to do tasks onlien. I use ZoToDo.com, it’s a simple to-do list thing And you can check of tasks…. I think the biggest problem with most online to do lists is that they’re too complex… but that site is pretty simple I think…
so, anyway, I disagree with u. I think using online to do lists is a lot eaiser.