Lenten Challenge Starts/Started at Midnight (Your Local Time)
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 18:41 Here is the starting list for the Lenten Challenge 2019. I will accept last minute entries and amendments up to 11.59pm March 5th (your local time).
At the very last moment I decided to change my own entry to a new, and so far untried, no-list method. I have no idea whether I’ll be able to keep it going.
I’m pleased to say that we have 57 entrants, which I think is a record for this.
If you fail to keep to the challenge please let us know in the comments to this post so that everyone can see. Do include a description of your experiences if you want to. Progress reports are also welcome.
If you are unable to post, then you can email me (top right tab) but please only do this if you have to.
Remember this is a challenge and not a competition, so the only person you will be deceiving if you cheat is yourself!
STARTING LIST
- Myself - 10 Task No-List
- vegheadjones - The Bounce
- nuntym - Task Tracking Light
- avrum - Daily-Weekly Narrative
- Seraphim - Serial No-List
- Divyana Adwani - Google Ecosystem
- Will - Simple Scanning
- Mike Brown - Serial No-List
- Gadgets - Simple Scanning
- Colin - Simple Scanning
- Paul B - ASEM
- Ville - Simple Scanning
- teckwyn - Randomizer
- MrBacklog - ABC simple scanning batching
- TMac - Simple Scanning
- Laby - Smile (Own Method)
- Eiron Page - Productivity Bingo
- Natalia - 4x2
- Brenda - DIT (Do It Tomorrow) and Dreams book Combo
- Jacqueline - Method to be confirmed
- Eugenia - Simple Scanning
- Fintan - DIT
- bryane - AF2/Deep Work Combo
- Paul MacNeil - Time Surfing
- Andreas Vlach - Own system
- Jordan Navarrete - AF4
- adam - Simple Scanning
- Pablo - Dreams
- Caibre65 - Own Method
- Alan Baljeu - Serial No-List
- stefanb - AF1
- Nia - Burner List
- Cricket - Every-Other-Day
- Clarablanco - AF2
- Bence - AF2
- flight16 - One-A-Day Randomizer
- tomcal - Serial No-List
- Ryan Freckleton - AF4 modified
- KMac - Dalo
- Cameron - Simple Scanning
- Stuart Tattum - Weekly & Daily MVPs
- Emma-Rae - Simple Scanning
- Sitkeys - Own System
- Jens - 5T
- Dino - Halving
- avrum - Own System
- Mario - AF1
- Christopher - DIT
- Diana - Simple Scanning
- Nordwind - T7P10 (Own System)
- Leon - Own System
- Silvia - AF4-3T
- Margaret1 - Serial No-List
- Chris Cooper - RAF modified
- Terhorst - Simple Scanning
- Erin - RAF
- dgbeecher - Simple Scanning
Reader Comments (58)
——
As far as I can see, the method of processing Yesterday + Today is left open by the rules of RAF. I specify it in this way:
– On my first pass through the Yesterday + Today list, I use simple scanning. One of the tasks I write in today's list is DBY (meaning move to Day[s] Before Yesterday).
– When I return to the Yesterday + Today list, I use FVP.
Looks a bit rococo when written out. I've been fiddling with rules for days.
I was looking all over the site for the post that mentioned using RAF with the app Things. Was that you Chris?
10 Task No-List?
I can guess what it is, but would like to be sure...
Anyway: Under no circumstances would I try it, because I‘m part of the LENTEN CHALLENGE !
> the post that mentioned using RAF with the app Things. Was that you Chris?
Not me, Erin.
I think 'halving' comes from Mark's first book. Write down everything you have to do, and divide it in half over and over again until you have only one thing left, and then you do it. A multiple pass system. In the book, Mark describes starting with two categories of work that have about the same amount of work to be done.
Terribly useful idea when whittling down a big backlog of paper: divide the pile into halves, then divide the halves into halves, etc till the problem is sufficiently chunked down.
In Serial No-list, which I'm also doing, I guess you would write down everything, then divide that list in two, then pick a half and divide that in two, to eventually whittle your way down to the next task. But that's a lot of judging, weighing, thinking, etc and less intuitive.
This is my interpretation of halving; not sure what our Lenten colleague's idea of using it would look like.
It is in the Real Autofocus? post, actually near your comment. Your system helped me find it. I was searching for the words Yesterday, Day before Yesterday and Things, to no avail.
<< I think 'halving' comes from Mark's first book. >>
Yes, though the implementation of it is different from what you suggest. It's the system to be found here which is based on the halving principle - though I didn't actually give the system that name at the time:
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2013/5/20/another-simple-and-effective-method.html
Anyway I am now going back to The Bounce in the hope that I can keep it going through the period of the Challenge - even though I'm no longer part of it!
Or maybe that's the start of a slippery slope and you wouldn't agree to bending the rules to your own advantage.
Good luck to everyone!
When I did get back in the evening I opened up my spreadsheet and it told me to stop for the night, so I ticked off the things I had done just as matter of course through the day and tucked in earlier than I would usually.
I have a bit more time in the flat tonight, and the expectation is that my system will get me focused on my chores and out for a run before it even thinks of letting me treat myself (with one non-repeating task to cross off in the interim). It is a harsh master, but ultimately I feel it is fair. We shall see how I feel a few more days down the line.
Days completed: 1.
Tasks done: "only" 4.
Rewards claimed: 0.
Overall I was very happy with the official Day 1 with the Bouce. I had a few time sensitive work I needed to produce and had two surprises come up. The Bounce got me through those plus I got a many little things done in-between them, they mostly came as I was bouncing up and looking for something to “rebound” me back down.
Today I have some even tighter deadline work due and many more meetings. Looking forward to see how the Bounce handles it all.
Days completed: 2.
Tasks done: 6; 3.0 per day on average.
Rewards claimed: 0.
My evening and weekend are both freer, so hopefully we should see a bit of a jump to these numbers (maybe including a reward or two!).
I can choose how to tick off the tasks on this card, in any order I like, but the main rule is I am only allowed to claim a 'Reward' from the grid if I have cleared the other jobs in that line first. It means that I feel I am earning my treats rather than using them as a means to procrastinate, and it works out well for me this way (even if I do not get to claim them, I still feel this is fair).
On alternate evenings I do one of two things: either fill the gaps in the grid using the same algorithm and then shuffle the location of the cells, or completely clear and refill the grid. This makes sure it stays current.
If a task is literally impossible at the current time (and the reason has to be valid, e.g. financial constraint, timing [such as going to the Post Office on a Sunday when it is closed]) and there is no way it could be completed before a grid refresh, only then am I allowed to check it off without completing it. The rule then is I have to run the refill-shuffle process.
It is just the right combination of freedom/constraint/reward for me to push forward with what absolutely needs doing, while also getting some of those "nice to do" and "just for me" things done in the process. From my previous comments, you can see that if something absolutely needs doing now, then I allow myself to do that. The system is used as a driver for when I am wondering "what next?" (which with my decision paralysis is most always).
It all sounds a little complicated, but I have been building and tweaking the system for the best part of a year and most of it is automated now. I have banned myself from making changes during this challenge, so anything that does not work I shall make a note of and address at its conclusion.
It always seems to break down the same way:
I use Trello at work, so it feels pointless to use a second list there. I don't have the flexibility to choose my own tasks at work, anyway.
And then I'm so exhausted by the time I get home that the last thing I want to do is look at another list, even if it contains nothing but fun or relaxing stuff. My mind just wants to turn off.
The bingo idea is really intriguing, glad it works for you
Mark, could you remind me of the benefit of sticking to a single system for (as much as possible of) the period? Is it so that, through sustaining a commitment, we work through limitations in our working patterns and get the system working properly, rather than blaming the system and changing around?
<< so had to work via a No List system for the day (which was refreshing for keeping me on the top priorities, but not so good for keeping track of outstanding commitments) >>
You might like Serial No-List. :-)
<< Mark, could you remind me of the benefit of sticking to a single system for (as much as possible of) the period? Is it so that, through sustaining a commitment, we work through limitations in our working patterns and get the system working properly, rather than blaming the system and changing around? >>
I couldn't have said it better myself!
I'll continue the challenge though, as much as I can. Thanks.
Every time I used a system during lent, it was the Random No List. I just didn't use it nearly every day, which works alright because it is a No List. Still, it would have gained much more traction if I used it every day, so I consider myself off the challenge but happily using the system onwards because it works just great for me to 1. get a feeling for what is significant in this moment and 2. do it with no resistance at all. Of course, with a randomizer, you sometimes have to use common sense (getting dressed after an event because doing the dishes and other stuff were chosen first is probably not an option) but you can limit that by deciding to not add any new tasks at any point before rolling the die. Then, eventually, every task on the list will be actioned.
<< Am I still on the challenge? >>
If what you are doing now is different from what you said you were going to do, then no you're not!
Still, I am using the same system and with better results than before, so maybe moving slightly away from the original specs was a good thing!
I really like the system's low overhead and have been using it consistently (in the sense that I haven't been at all tempted to try another system). However, I haven't been using it all day every day, but then maybe that's still within the rules - it seems so when I've read about Seraphim's (and others') experiences with the system but please correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe I've already failed!
Some days I write down every new task before I do it, when I want to reassure myself that I'm makiing good use of my time. What I don't like about this is that it makes the day's list longer and therefore more cumbersome.
Other days I work through several tasks in a row as Ithey come to my attention, without writing them down, and only write down tasks I'm afraid I might forget. This keeps the list cleaner.
The method started out as:
Split tasks into 3 priority piles, then simple scanning through each pile. Batch similar tasks for efficiency.
But I ended up simply batching tasks and then working though them completely one batch at a time. I have dropped priority of tasks, other than moving tasks into one batch that I want to do each day (e.g. client emails). I always manage to clear that by lunchtime.
I suppose it is a significant enough change to mean I'm out.
I'm liking what I'm doing at the moment as it is stupidly simple and I get a lot of traction doing similar type tasks all in one go each afternoon. I seem to get on a roll so that is good.
Halving worked great to get moving and avoid procrastionation, but I couldn't keep it up under pressure and felt the need for a more structured method like DIT
<< However, I haven't been using it all day every day, but then maybe that's still within the rules >>
The rules ( http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2730943#post2732758 ) don't specifically say whether or not to use it all day every day. But there are a few reasons why I don't think that's the best way to work, or indeed, that it is even logically possible:
- I don't think it's possible to use a TM system for every task, because "every task" is an ambiguous, indefinable concept. Every letter I type here is an "action" -- but is it a task? Every task or action can be broken down into smaller ones. But just because we CAN break them down, and write them down, doesn't mean it's feasible or useful. But this implies that every task assumes the smaller, component asks are implicitly understood to the degree that there is no need to specify them -- no need to write them down. This means there are all kinds of things we never write down, and would never have any rational reason for writing down.
- Then there are habits. Every time I brush my teeth, it's a "task" - so should I write it down on my list when I get up in the morning? I suppose if one needs a reminder, and wants to make oneself more consciously aware, then maybe it's helpful. But once the habit is established, it just isn't needed anymore. Just get up and follow the morning habitual routine.
- I feel that a TM system should be a help and a guide to one's intuition, and should not take the place of it. So I try just to do whatever is in front of me, without reference to a list, unless I know I will need the help of the list, or I start feeling aimless. I think it's a *good* thing to use a good system to teach you good habits, so that you don't need the system anymore -- or at least don't need it for the smaller tasks.
With Serial No-List, it's easy to let this ebb and flow as needed. Whenever I am feeling I am in a good flow state without the list, then I just try to keep it going. Sometimes it's fine just to follow my calendar most of the day, and catch up on whatever small things come to mind in between the meetings.
But whenever I feel I need more guidance and focus, I just write more on my list -- more often, more detail, smaller tasks. And then the focus comes back.
And in general, I just start the day by writing down whatever is on my mind. I think the human mind is a great tool for capturing the right stuff at the right level of specification. And if we don't get it quite right, we can make it a little more detailed, or a little less detailed, and see what works better.
It would be interesting to hear Mark's perspective on this!
- Some observations: From the perspective of procrastination or that feeling resistance, Time Surfing has the same feel for me as the randomizer. The only difference is that I'm happier with the choices that I'm making. I also feel, during the day, much more "in the moment" with things, I sleep better, and I have less stress (and this is one of my busiest times). For me, it's a bit like trusting the GPS on my phone or watch to take me through unfamiliar territory -- I have no idea the route, but I know the device will ding me in plenty of time to make the correct turn. And suddenly I'm home! Intuition is the "ding" and has been far more reliable than my intellect at choosing the correct task in the moment.
Using the list has helped me to identify and work on the essential tasks without having to plough through multiple tasks that aren't relevant today. I have a daily task "once through whole list" so that I can reassure myself I'm not going to forget something important. If I spot something I want to work on today I add it to today's list. In practice this means that I don't even have to go right through the whole list - just checking the last few days is fine. Of course once I've worked on today's page for as long as I need to, the rules get me to go backwards through the previous days' lists anyway.
I occasionally have times when I don't want to do ANY tasks on the list, even though they should be worked on - this bunking off makes me feel guilty, but I don't think it breaks the challenge, if the challenge is to use only one system. If the challenge is to not bunk off when I should be doing tasks from my list then I'd have been out long ago. Of course I could always add a task "feel free to bunk off" to my list!
<< Of course I could always add a task "feel free to bunk off" to my list! >>
Actually, maybe "feel free to bunk off" should just be part of the official rules! :-)
As I wrote to Alan earlier ( http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2737722#post2738252 ), I want the system to preserve complete freedom of action at all times. The system is a guide to help me sort out what my intuition and internal motivations are already telling me. But I don't want the rules to dictate anything to me. I am afraid it will cause me to resist the system altogether, in the long run, if there are any obligatory rules that try to force me to behave in a certain way.
So if I am sick of my work and sick of writing things down, and I just want to get away for awhile, I want the system to allow me to do that without making me "sort it out", and without making me feel guilty about it!
But maybe, if I am afraid I am being impulsive, and want to ensure my internal motivations are not just impulsive whims, I can write "feel free to bunk off" on the list before selecting it. This acknowledges my current state of mind but gives me a moment to reflect before just going off on a whim.
This seems in line with how Mark has recommended similar things, as far back as AF1 at least.