One of the favourite systems on this blog is the Random Method which is noted for the way in which it removes resistance to your tasks.
The reason for this reduction of resistance is something which I first experienced in the Army - that it’s much easier to obey orders than to give orders. In other words stress comes from responsibility rather than from the work itself.
Using a random time management system is a bit like deciding what you want to do and then constructing a robot which tells you exactly how to do it, step by step. Easy, huh?
Not so easy.
The bad news about random numbers is precisely the fact that they are random - which means that they are completely indifferent to your wishes, goals, time constraints, and energy levels. The good news is that they are also indifferent to your fears, laziness, resistance, procrastination and wishful thinking.
If you were just to have a long list and circulate around it using a random number generator to select which task to do next, you would have no control at all over what order you do your work. Some unimportant projects would get done in record time, and some really important ones would languish for ages.
Maybe that doesn’t sound much different from your normal work pattern?
So how can we use random numbers to produce better rather than worse results than normal?
Well, here’s a way. It’s slightly more difficult to use than the existing Random Method because you have to keep adjusting the Max setting on the random number generator. But I’ve found the results to be much better.
1. Write out your task list (you can keep adding to it).
2. Set the Max on your random number generator to the number of tasks on the list.
3. Generate a number.
4. Count through the list until you reach that number task and work on it. Delete and re-enter as necessary.
5. Your list is now divided into two unequal halves with the deleted task as the dividing line. Repeat the process using the first half only, and then the second half.
6. Carry on sub-dividing the list in this way.
Some of you may think this is Another Simple and Effective Method used with a random number generator. You’re right - it is. So far I’ve found it fast and efficient, and actually much more so than when the method is used with only my brain in charge. Bear in mind though that I’m only on Day 3 of testing, and new systems always work well to start off with.
P.S. I recommend you to use the Randomizer app as your random number generator. I’ve been using it for years for all sorts of purposes and it’s really excellent.