Task tracking systems away from the computer
When I'm working--which is usually at the computer--i've used MS Outlook with mixed success. The success is when I've used the tools it offers, organized in a way that I find helpful. Mixed is when I've not had the sort of support that I find here and get off track. But that's not Outlook's fault.
But I have a large bundle of responsibilities around home that are not tied to the computer, or are only tied to the computer sporadically. So I want to develop a personal tracking system that is simple and effective for my non-work projects and tasks. A system that would mesh well with David Allen's Getting Things Done philosophy.
If anyone here has a good non-computer-based system for tracking tasks and projects, I'm interested in what you do. The simpler the better, I'll add.
- Login to post comments
What I've decided to do
For home stuff I'm going to try using a separate Outlook list again, but to print it out when the weekend comes so I don't need the computer.
I will need to be more diligent about keeping it up to date.
But this is the simplest solution without investing in a whole new system.
We'll see how that works.
The Hero's Code:
Show up. Pay Attention. Speak the Truth. Let Go of the Outcome.
Hi GeorgeSmiley, I don't
Hi GeorgeSmiley, I don't have a system and need one too--urgently... but sometime when you have a moment I'd be really interested to hear what works from David Allen.
thanks :)
Why I like David Allen
1) It's a simpler system than some and flexible.
2) Focusing on "what's the next action" helps clear out mental clutter when contemplating a project.
3) The weekly discipline of a complete overview of everything on the master project list is a good habit (others have a similar concept, to be sure).
I've adapted his ideas and put them to use in conjunction with ideas in a book called Total Workday Control by Michael Linenberger, which works closely w/ Microsoft Outlook.
I depart a little bit from the purely "next action" philosophy because I need to build steps into my calendar, ie: I know if a Project is due March 1 I need to finish research by, say, Feb 15 and start weriting then, and finish writing by, say, Feb 23 to allow time to rewrite and fact-check.
Now I'm just looking for a simple, portable, and expandable way to track stuff for my home responsibilities so that they're liberated from Outlook, since I don't use my computer much at night or on weekends.
The Hero's Code:
Show up. Pay Attention. Speak the Truth. Let Go of the Outcome.
Planning back in the Dark Ages
I had some success with the DayTimer system. The drawback is that if you lose your DayTimer you lose all your data.
"It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot