Working Live Today
Friday, September 4, 2009 at 8:00 Key:
Tasks on list at start of day
Current Task
Actioned tasks (numbered in order of completion)
Tasks added during day
[Tasks marked for review]
—————————— = Start of Open List
(1156) timed log entry (at end)
THE LIST
13 Cancel Insurance Policies (1018)
15 Write Henry S. (1053)
[Contribute to P & Y’s Charity]
10 Buy Guillotine
[Weed Old Accounts]
[Ring Ben’s Gutters]
[Get Phoenix Insurance Claim signed]
[Investigate ways of marketing and selling E-book]
[Approaching businesses?]
11 Photo Plus Manual
[Sort out Domain hosting]
14 Photos for Facebook
12 “Taxi Driver”
[“Fanny Cradock”]
[“I Know Where I’m Going”]
[“The Edge of the World”] [1452][1534]
——————————————
Check details needed by Travel Agency
56 Schedule for Newsletters?
16 Restaurant for L’s birthday?
Card for L
Weed Noguchi
57 Portuguese 17
Aeneid
“Then She Found Me”
Write E-book
Write M
67 Read “Ultra Simple Guide”
Camera Manual
Return chalk to T
Brain trainer
17 Tidy Office
68 “Fleurs du Mal”
18 Make Bed
German 24/3
19 Facebook
50 Spanish 12/2
Mow Lawn
Sort out Google bar
Blog “7 Habits of Poor Time Managers”
“Saraband”
Write
20 Bureau Top tidy?
21 MicroPlaza
Reading List (oldest)
Reading List (newest)
G replied?
22 Desk tidy?
23 Exercise
Walk
Tax Return
Photo Galleries
Squarespace Videos
47 Check BP
Journal 10+
24 Investment Managers
25 RegZooka
26 Cut Hedge
27 NumberWatch
28 Carswell
69 “The Cell” (2300)
Paper
1 Comments (0800)
2 Voicemail
29 Fix date for lunch with Carol N
3 Email
4 FTSE (0833)
“Top Gear”
5 Lowest Point Forecast
30 Back Up
31 Reading
6 Doodle
Change Wallpaper
58 Reading List (quality)
7 Pitch C#
8 Wash Up
Autopager?
Firefox extension name?
9 Comments
Voicemail
32 Email
33 FTSE
Lowest Point Forecast
Doodle
34 Pitch C#
35 Wash Up
36 Comments (0904)
PhotoPlus Manual
“Taxi Driver”
Cancel Avon Policy
48 To Think About
37 L replied re Henry?
38 L replied re restaurant?
Check Porsche Tyres
Check Polo Service
Tidy Office
39 Read Newspaper
40 Check Site Visitors for today
Make Bed
Facebook
51 Find Driving Licence
Bureau Top Tidy?
52 Regenerate Friend Wheel
41 Ordo
Investment Managers
Carswell
59 Carol N replied re lunch?
Diaries of Adrienne v. Speyr?
42 Lunch
53 SpyZooka
RegZooka
54 Reading
Pitch C#
Write Henry
55 Book restaurant
43 Reserve District 9 and Tricks
44 Comments
45 Wash Up
46 Email
Voicemail
56 Site Visitors
Ordo
49 Comments
Wash Up (1450)(1709)(1847)(1849)
—————————————————
Check BP
60 Email
61 Comments (1528)
Check weeding schedule for old accounts
Find Phone Number for Ben’s Gutters
Prepare papers for Phoenix signing
Check domain hosting records
“Fanny Cradock”
Spanish 13
62 Tweetdeck
SpyZooka
63 Reading
64 Site Visitors (2046)
Newsletter Template
Portuguese 17/2
Try out issuu.com
Reading List (quality)
65 Email
66 Tweetdeck
Email (2057)
“Fleurs du Mal”
“The Cell”
0800. The list is divided into two unequal parts, divided by a line ———————. Different rules apply to each part. I am starting where I left off yesterday, near the end of the list. The method here is to move down the list taking action on those tasks which feel ready to be done. I will number tasks in the order they are done so you can follow the sequence. The numbers in brackets after some tasks are times, and refer to the log entries at the end of the list (of which this is the first).
0833. This is reminding me why I hate using electronic means of working a to do list! It’s slowing me down no end. The Squarespace editor is also being annoying - a blank line has appeared in the middle of the list which I don’t seem to be able to get rid of. Never mind!
0904. I’ve now reached the end of the list. My next action is to go to the beginning of the list - into the part of the list before the line (——————). Oooooerrrr!!!
1018. Within the first part of the list, I keep circling round the list until nothing further seems ready to do.
1053. I’ve now been round the first part of the list three times, and there’s nothing further that seems ready to do. So now I start on the second part of the list. I only do one pass of this before going back to the first part.
1450. Now reached the end of the list for the second time today. So back to the first part of the list (the “backlog”)
1452. None of the tasks in the “backlog” stand out for action so I have marked them all up for review (on paper I would have used a highlighter for this). At the same time I have drawn a line at the end of the list so that the whole current list becomes the “backlog”. All new tasks will now go below this line.
1528. Now reached the end of the list for the third time today. Notice how fast I moved through the list this time. Back to the beginning of the list.
1534. What I have now done is delete all the items marked for review. You will see that I have re-entered some after rephrasing them. One I have re-entered as it was (A recorded TV program that I haven’t yet had time to see). The rest I have dropped altogether because I decided the time wasn’t yet ripe for them.
1709. Reached end of first part of list - back to the beginning. On another subject, this page has been loaded 5,973 times today (and it wasn’t all by me!)
1847 End of first part of list again - back to beginning.
1849 I’ve been round the first part of the list again without any tasks seeming ready to do - so on to the second part.
2046. Page has been accessed 7,507 times today.
2057 Reached the end of the list again. Back to the beginning. I’ll select a next task, but what I’m really going to do is go and watch NCIS on tv!
2300 That’s it for today. 70 tasks completed. 8,604 page views. I hope that’s given everyone a good idea of how powerful the system is. Now I’ve just got to copy everything I’ve done today back into my paper notebook!
(Comments on this post are now closed. If you can’t see the existing comments, click on the post heading “Working Live Today”)
Mark Forster
There is a brilliant file by Andreas Hofmann which gives an animated version of this demonstration. This is an absolute must for quick understanding of the system. Many thanks, Andreas, this was a huge undertaking.
Reader Comments (188)
"In AF1 however, unless you adopted a 'tweak', you would have to do at least something on at least one item on every page between where you were and the last page, which would likely be a lot slower."
This is exactly why I like Forward Mode in RAF and use it so much!
I know there are things I must do on my newest page - so I *want* to get to them.
But (following the AF1/RAF rules) I must pick at least one item on each of the earlier pages and make some progress on them in order to get there legally. With that motivation and sense of urgency, I fly through stuff - often just doing just a tiny amount for the chosen tasks - in order to get to the end page and tackle the 'must do' items on it.
Now I know I could just skip to them if I wanted to - but by not allowing myself to do so - and sticking to the 'rules' above, I create a driving force for getting things done that has seen my productivity increase many-fold.
So I wonder if the same effect is what lies behind AF4?
Paul
>>> Finding it a bit confusing to understand exactly what the new process is re backlogs? Can anyone explain, or must we await AF4? <<<
If on any "first pass" of the "first list" (IOW, after you have come from the second list and do a pass of the first list) nothing stands out to be done then ALL items are dismissed. Some of which may be re-aded to the end of the second list for another ride on the merry-go-round ;-)
Is that what you were asking?
It looks like AF4 is the first system in where there is a structured review of 'dismissed' (highlighted) items - where they are rephrased and re-entered into the list right away OR deleted.
In previous systems, dismissed items could potentially stay around forever, and no decision was ever forced to be made on them.
That is some serious motivation. I think I like it.
I think my brain must be fried because it's the end of a busy week. I basically meant I didn't understand any of the "Instructions as we know so far" but was curious about backlogs, which is my particular demon.... (Yes Mark, if you see this, I still haven't done that backlog from years ago!!!) so I think I will probably have to await the final reveal of the new AF4 at the end of today when Mark issues it. I hope he will do it in his own words as that might help me.
Kind regards,
Carol
Looks like there are really three sections to the list:
1. Aside = tasks set Aside a.k.a. dismissed a.k.a. marked for review (highlighted)
2. Backlog = older closed list worked in multiple rounds
3. Current = new open list worked in single rounds
Re: AF4 and the "forced" review. Good point! I think you are right. In AF3 review and rewording/dismissing was only done "when it felt ready to be done". Sometimes that might be "never"!
--Joseph
I decided to action a task from my list - I climbed a mountain barefooted. Actually, it's more of a hill (800m high). My feet hurt. :-)
Seems I missed the dismissal. But the documentation, both from Mark and the other readers, is very good.
Ouch! You're a nut ;-)
What is not yet completely clear about dismissal is:
- Do you dismiss if you don't do EVERY on notice task on the first pass after on notice, or
- Do you get to cycle through the on-notice tasks so long as you do at least one on each pass ... IOW, is it more like an AF1 kind of dismissal or something new entirely.
<< - Do you dismiss if you don't do EVERY on notice task on the first pass after on notice, or
- Do you get to cycle through the on-notice tasks so long as you do at least one on each pass ... IOW, is it more like an AF1 kind of dismissal or something new entirely. >>
I think there is some confusion here. My interpretation of this was there are no tasks put 'on notice' - when no tasks are done from the 'backlog', they are dismissed/highlighted immediately.
They are revisited when the end of the list is reached, where they are forced to be re-entered or deleted.
IOW, [Tasks marked for review] = dismissed in AF1 terms.
-David
As I read it, the yellow highlighter = AF1 dismissal.
BUT they are all reviewed on the next pass (no option) and actioned (if only by reentering) or sent back to the pit from whence they came. (I don't get on AT ALL well with my subconscious: does it show?)
Mike, if this is a demonstration of the rule, everything goes at the next pass. (I thought I detected an unholy glee in Mark's prediction that we would see some dismissing very soon.)
Crush! Kill! Destroy!
Since they have previously not "stood out" (otherwise they would not be up for review), they would most likely all be dismissed immediately but there is always the chance that you might want to rescue a few of them and I think applying the AF1 rules would allow you to do so.
Not really clear to me either at the moment. :)
Is there a slight mistake? Two items, one at the top and one at the bottom of the list, are numbered 56.
You apply the AF1 rule to highlight them for review in the first place. The difference is that you don't get the option of NOT reviewing them at the next pass. They can be rescued by re-entering them on the main list, but only if you feel that they really belong there.
If you start all over I guess you work one day only with your second (current) list and draw the line the next morning before starting your daily work.
<< I guess that if you migrate your current list is your 'backlog' and you start with a line under your previous entries. >>
Correct
<< If you start all over I guess you work one day only with your second (current) list and draw the line the next morning before starting your daily work. >>
No, you draw up your first list (which may be quite short) and then draw a line at the end of it.
<< Is there a slight mistake? Two items, one at the top and one at the bottom of the list, are numbered 56. >>
Very likely. It got quite difficult to remember which number to use at one stage.
Without going back and checking I would think the one at the bottom of the list is the later.
<< are you going to release the intructions of how to do AF4? >>
It's all in the commentary which I put after the list. I will probably consolidate them in the next few days.
I started at the 1528 status, with a line at the bottom of my (electrical) book and about to review my "to review/dismissed" tasks either in or out below the line. Worked fine.
I'm using Outlook tasks, with categories for "closed list", "review" and "current task". Outlook gives the timestamps for both created and closed.
Is there some subsidiary list where you keep 'pended' tasks?
<< What do you you do with 'tasks' you want to do, but not immediately? >>
Put a reminder in Outlook Tasks or another reminder system.
The review/dismissal rule is as follows:
If you do no tasks when you visit the first part of the list, then all tasks in the first part are put on notice for review and the line is drawn at the end of the second part so that the whole list becomes the new first part.
The next time you go to the beginning of the list, all tasks which are on notice for review are deleted. They may be re-entered (preferably re-phrased) or just dropped. So basically what happens is that you go through each task for review and decide what to do with it.
<< the new "rule" is that they can be immediately added back. >>
Yes, they *can* be, but only after thinking carefully about why they haven't yet been done.
Ah, thanks for that. Are the tasks deleted when you go to the first part straight away, or do you have the option to work on them before deleting them. Just wondering why the delay of one list cycle before deleting ... IOW, you could have skipped the "on-review" step entirely and just deleted them if there is no time lapse to work on them. Did I misunderstand? (It happens ;-)
Oh, and just a technicality, perhaps. Once you move the line to the end of the list, there is no SECOND part any longer. You are in the first part straight away. At least until you delete tasks and possibly re-add.
<< When I read "wash up," I envision you washing your hands and possibly your face. Now if you had written "clean up" or "wash dishes" I would have seen you doing what you described. >>
One of those many little differences between British English and American English. "Wash up" or "Do the washing up" is the normal British English expression for "do the dishes".
I think that is right, however it would be a DIFFERENT list each time.
<< you could have skipped the "on-review" step entirely and just deleted them if there is no time lapse to work on them. >>
You are right and I did think about making it so one deleted them immediately, but then I decided that deleting them on the next pass would give one's mind more time to process the idea of deletion.
<< if I'm reading this right, the first/backlog list might be dismissed several times a day? >>
It *could* be, but in practice it takes several days to work through the list until there is a danger of dismissal. If I hadn't been keen to demonstrate the process to an audience, I doubt if I would have put so many tasks on notice for review so early. The previous time there were only two tasks left.
Since Mark doesn't seem to have made up his mind yet, we should make suggestions. Perhaps something will stick.
That's why I initially doubted we'd see dismissal today.
I think I understand this new method (AF4). I've really liked AF3 (RAF), and would like to be lazy and just draw a line at the end, considering everything now in my notebook to be Backlog, and proceed with AF4 (rather than copying a lot of items or starting with a fresh notebook). So unless I enter several new tasks and work on some, I will get to the beginning of the Backlog almost immediately. In any case, I'll soon need to Review all highlighted tasks and delete/rephrase-reenter all of them before proceeding with non-highlighted Backlog tasks, right?
<< I'm betting you'll have to think up names for the first and second and "on notice" parts of the list. >>
Yes, that's why I wasn't terribly keen on calling Part 1 a "backlog" - it gives the wrong impression. Maybe I'll just call them the "closed" and "open" parts of the list. But then I'll still have to explain what I mean by those terms!
ROTF ;-) Now let's not tease Mark. I'm sure what he most wants is a barrage of silly names to cope with ;-)
Seriously, I suppose "Main" and "New" might be good for the "First" and "Second" lists. I guess "On-Notice" might be as good as anything for the transient list of items ... errrr ... on-notice. ;-)
I think that means the highlighter is not essential anymore, is it? Its main purpose was to make a dismissed item scream: "hey, I've been dismissed! You can come back and delete me or rephrase me or whatever when you feel like reviewing your dismissed items."
Now, with the reviewing of dismissed tasks being ingrained in the system, I think highlighting might be superfluous. Unless, of course, one wants to highlight deleted items, and I can see why one would want to do that... But I am not sure I would want to.
By the way, I think "closed" and "open" to describe the two parts of the lists make a lot of sense.
Yeah, and in an electronic implementation, completed tasks and dismissed but not re-added tasks can just be deleted, I would think.