Catch-All Revisited
Friday, March 25, 2016 at 7:00 I’ve spent the last few days revisiting my old catch-all method, Autofocus (more often known as AF1 these days) to see how it feels after having spent quite a while with various no-list systems.
As I expected, the first thing that I experienced was that my list started to expand rapidly. By the third day there were seventy-four tasks and projects on the list with no sign of a slow-down in the expansion. I must admit that it was nice to have everything written down on one list, even though there wasn’t the slightest chance of getting through it all.
I did however make a major change to the rules of Autofocus for my revisit. I decided to do without both the dismissal process and the rule that at least one task must be done on each visit to a page.
These rule changes were accompanied by a big change in mental attitude. Instead of seeing each page as a list of things to be done, I saw it as a list of things from which I could choose what to do, but without any obligation to do anything. The result was that writing something on the list was no longer a commitment to do it, or even to try to do it. It was something I might do. If some tasks languished on the list without ever being done, that was absolutely fine. I refused to be concerned even if something I considered vital got passed by.
This change of attitude makes a huge difference. Strangely enough it makes Autofocus more like a no-list system because you simply have to trust your mind to come up with the right stuff at the right time.
I was expecting to find that Autofocus felt unwieldy and overwhelming after my experiences with no-list, but in fact quite the opposite has been true so far. But it’s only been a few days, and that may change.
I also have the question in my mind of whether I could have made the mental shift to a freer version of Autofocus if I hadn’t had my mind trained by using no-list systems. I don’t know the answer to that.
Reader Comments (13)
I experienced a more or less stressfree AF1 or FVP, if I added the 2 simple points:
First: Dismiss tasks older than 2 weeks (according to DSAF, a tweak from AndreasE). Changing the time range (e.g. from 2 weeks to 1 month) aligns it to your current cirumstances/environment (e.g. vacation, health, laziness, ...). And keeps the list "short".
Second: Don't see your tasklist as a collection of nagging things which struggle for your attention.See it as a menue of the Pizzeria just around the corner. You probably don't want or can't eat every pizza offered. And, if you are not hungry - so what. Enjoy life free of tasks.
I think it could also be combined with 5T. Dot max. 5 tasks. Eat them and if you have enough stop and order a dessert (e.g. walk throug the forest, listen to music, meditate or better: do NOthing)
Cheers!
Jens
<< Is the catch-all system to blame for your missed blogged days? >>
There have been ten blog posts in the past nine days. How much more do you want?
<< I just cant seem to develop the confidence that I am capturing all of my commitments without the long list. >>
I don't think the fact that you've written your commitments on a long list means that you get any more work done. In other words, writing them on a list is one thing; actually doing them is another.
<< Without those two rules, is Autofocus any different than a simple open list? >>
With an open list you would normally scan from one end of the list to the other, doing any tasks which stood out on the way.
With Autofocus you go to one page at a time and circulate round the page until there are no more tasks you want to do on it for the time being Then you move on to the next page.
It does seem to make quite a difference - for me anyway.
Scanning the list and being attentive to what task tells me "Here! I am the right one in this moment!" (aka "standing out") is still the core of it all.
Don't worry... It was.
I was trying to avoid giving you a straight answer!
It's also an aging process. It's easier to put things on the list than to let the potentially great, wonderful, shiny, lottery-winning idea disappear. After a few days on the list it's usually banged around a bit, and much easier to put in perspective.
Yes, I'm getting better at making the decision before it goes on the list. But if at all in doubt, it goes into the safety net so it won't be lost before appropriate investigation.
A strict dismissal rule often backfires with me. If the choice is do something or dismiss it, I'm likely to do it.
(Strict dismissal in a DIT-like system is easier for me. It's quite clear that I'm saying Yes to the things that go on the day's list, rather than No to the shiny things.
• No dismissal process.
• No task must be done on a visit to a page.