Discussion Forum > Not much more to say
Alan,
I feel the same way about my "Flagged Tasks" AF1. For me, AF1 was the best system of Mark's, but I had just one little problem with it that I solved to my satisfaction by Flagging Tasks at the beginning of the day and cycling through them AF1 style until they were done. Then, after the flagged tasks were done, I would go back to regular AF1. It's been working like a charm now for quite a while. There's nothing I wish it would do, so I don't feel a need to experiment any further.
Matt
I feel the same way about my "Flagged Tasks" AF1. For me, AF1 was the best system of Mark's, but I had just one little problem with it that I solved to my satisfaction by Flagging Tasks at the beginning of the day and cycling through them AF1 style until they were done. Then, after the flagged tasks were done, I would go back to regular AF1. It's been working like a charm now for quite a while. There's nothing I wish it would do, so I don't feel a need to experiment any further.
Matt
January 13, 2011 at 14:32 |
2mc
2mc
Thanks Alan and 2mc. Has anyone else found a system which works so well for them that they don't feel a need to change at all?
January 13, 2011 at 14:58 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Alan:
To save searching back through multiple posts, could you just sum up the changes and additions (if any) which you have made to AF4R as written in the rules ( http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1325521 ) ?
To save searching back through multiple posts, could you just sum up the changes and additions (if any) which you have made to AF4R as written in the rules ( http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1325521 ) ?
January 13, 2011 at 15:00 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
I think the only change is (a) processing order, (b) loose leaf (movable) pages , and (c) adding project pages. But here's the details, you might consider other things to be different.
First, I find Unfinished is more accurately called Active.
Processing order: Recurring, scheduled (once), Old (once), New (once), Active (repeated), then back to recurring.
Notes:
When I visit the recurring, scheduled pages, I move tasks for the day to Active.
My project pages (groups of related tasks) are labeled with tabs so I can see them all at a glance. A project is treated exactly like any other task.
Active, Old, and New each include both tasks and project pages.
Active includes stuff I'm working on. When I'm done (for now), they go back to new or recurring.
I follow AF4R dismissal rules for Old/New.
For tracking progress, every day I write the date on the active page. As a goal, rather than a rule, I aim to work on or dismiss (to New) everything from previous dates.
First, I find Unfinished is more accurately called Active.
Processing order: Recurring, scheduled (once), Old (once), New (once), Active (repeated), then back to recurring.
Notes:
When I visit the recurring, scheduled pages, I move tasks for the day to Active.
My project pages (groups of related tasks) are labeled with tabs so I can see them all at a glance. A project is treated exactly like any other task.
Active, Old, and New each include both tasks and project pages.
Active includes stuff I'm working on. When I'm done (for now), they go back to new or recurring.
I follow AF4R dismissal rules for Old/New.
For tracking progress, every day I write the date on the active page. As a goal, rather than a rule, I aim to work on or dismiss (to New) everything from previous dates.
January 13, 2011 at 16:03 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
In "Systems are losing their simplicity" (http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1357320 ) I wrote why I think it works:
<<
It seems to me very few things are necessary in a system:
1. Simple - do the system, not think about the system.
2. Complete - capture everything
3. Limited - scope, forcing the content to stay manageable
4. Focus - get important stuff done now.
>>
See also my earlier post: "Essential Focus" http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1355668 , which basically says the above 4 qualities enable automatic focus to completely succeed. AF1 lacked #4. AF2 lacked #3. SAF (for me) lacked #1. ((I was always hung up on whether to move on, or add a new task here, or move on and carry tasks with me.)) AF4R (also Matt's AF1 with flags) has it all.
<<
It seems to me very few things are necessary in a system:
1. Simple - do the system, not think about the system.
2. Complete - capture everything
3. Limited - scope, forcing the content to stay manageable
4. Focus - get important stuff done now.
>>
See also my earlier post: "Essential Focus" http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1355668 , which basically says the above 4 qualities enable automatic focus to completely succeed. AF1 lacked #4. AF2 lacked #3. SAF (for me) lacked #1. ((I was always hung up on whether to move on, or add a new task here, or move on and carry tasks with me.)) AF4R (also Matt's AF1 with flags) has it all.
January 13, 2011 at 16:15 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Thanks, Alan.
You have added a page called "Scheduled". How does that work?
You have added a page called "Scheduled". How does that work?
January 13, 2011 at 16:24 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
"Mark: Has anyone else found a system which works so well for them that they don't feel a need to change at all?"
SAF for me, almost exactly as you wrote Mark. My one change is to use two pages instead of two columns on one page-- works better for my messy handwriting.
SAF for me, almost exactly as you wrote Mark. My one change is to use two pages instead of two columns on one page-- works better for my messy handwriting.
January 13, 2011 at 17:15 |
Vegheadjones
Vegheadjones
I think AF4R and Flagged Tasks AF1 are very close in productivity. Both have a very slight weakness solved in the other.
AFR4 is better than Flagged Tasks, because the review time in the morning is quicker.
Flagged tasks is simpler by not having the maintenance of separate sections.
Both are very good.
For me – given the way my brain works – Flagged Tasks is the only method that silenced the nagging voice that keeps saying, "what pressing task is there on another page that I should be doing while I'm working on this page?" This had been a significant weight – again, because of the way my brain works.
AFR4 is better than Flagged Tasks, because the review time in the morning is quicker.
Flagged tasks is simpler by not having the maintenance of separate sections.
Both are very good.
For me – given the way my brain works – Flagged Tasks is the only method that silenced the nagging voice that keeps saying, "what pressing task is there on another page that I should be doing while I'm working on this page?" This had been a significant weight – again, because of the way my brain works.
January 13, 2011 at 17:40 |
2mc
2mc
Mark: It's just dated appointments. When the date arrives, I move it to Active. I'm mostly in Active, so when 3pm comes, I'll see it and go off to the appointment.
January 13, 2011 at 18:35 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Interesting that people are beginning to find stuff that really works for them. Myself, I'm currently using AF4R as written, except for one small change. I can work on Old, New, Recurring and Unfinished in any order. This seems to make it much more responsive. I haven't been using it long enough yet to know if it's the perfect system (for me).
January 13, 2011 at 23:28 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
"My project pages (groups of related tasks) are labeled with tabs so I can see them all at a glance. A project is treated exactly like any other task."
Alan -
Just want to make sure I'm understanding...When you identify something that will take multiple actions, you create a project page for it - and record related action there. The only item for it on your AF4R list is the name of the project, correct?
Thanks for sharing!
Alan -
Just want to make sure I'm understanding...When you identify something that will take multiple actions, you create a project page for it - and record related action there. The only item for it on your AF4R list is the name of the project, correct?
Thanks for sharing!
January 14, 2011 at 0:06 |
Scott Hutchins
Scott Hutchins
Thanks to your systems Mark, I too am 100% pleased with mine. While exploring them, it illuminated some very important mechanisms that I needed to understand in action to gain value from them. While I can't say that what I do is recognizable as an offspring of your systems, I see it as such :)
January 14, 2011 at 6:27 |
Erik
Erik
Happily using the original DWM in ListPro. See no reason to change. Stable list length.
January 14, 2011 at 7:42 |
Laurence
Laurence
I have been using DWM2 with an unfinished page and I am very pleased. It is perfect right now. However, I thought I had found a perfect system in AF4 back in the day, just to be disproved by DWM, so I am still open to ideas -- although not really trying anything right now. And I am finally re-reading DIT for the wonderful tips there.
January 14, 2011 at 11:10 |
Natalia
Natalia
I must admit to having *serious* problems sticking to any system and my procrastination is becoming entrenched.
I'm spending nearly all my time thinking about different systems and am changing my mind often 2-3 times a day and this is wreaking havoc with my commitments.
I've currently got several personal issues going on so I suspect it's a form of distraction for me.
Of all the systems I have tried I have found AF4 to be the most flexible and responsive in meeting my requiremens. I really like the flag idea. It would be very useful for me as I like to select one key task to complete in a day that I need to revisit several times, so thank you 2mc for that idea.
I've pulled out a dirt cheap steno reporters type notepad (front for work, back for home). And I 've drawn 30 boxes on the card back to colour in every day as I basically need to stick with one system.
I'm spending nearly all my time thinking about different systems and am changing my mind often 2-3 times a day and this is wreaking havoc with my commitments.
I've currently got several personal issues going on so I suspect it's a form of distraction for me.
Of all the systems I have tried I have found AF4 to be the most flexible and responsive in meeting my requiremens. I really like the flag idea. It would be very useful for me as I like to select one key task to complete in a day that I need to revisit several times, so thank you 2mc for that idea.
I've pulled out a dirt cheap steno reporters type notepad (front for work, back for home). And I 've drawn 30 boxes on the card back to colour in every day as I basically need to stick with one system.
January 14, 2011 at 11:27 |
leon
leon
Scott,
It's not simply that multiple actions will occur. It's when I have already entered several related activities that I pull them together onto a separate page. It could be housekeeping or marketing a new product.
At present, I bring the whole page into Active. The page has a visible tab so I can look at loose tasks ( one page ) and project page titles at a glance and choose either.
It's not simply that multiple actions will occur. It's when I have already entered several related activities that I pull them together onto a separate page. It could be housekeeping or marketing a new product.
At present, I bring the whole page into Active. The page has a visible tab so I can look at loose tasks ( one page ) and project page titles at a glance and choose either.
January 14, 2011 at 13:29 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
@Mark
>Has anyone else found a system which works so well for them that they don't feel a need to change at all?
SAF
Although I must say that all AF family is great.
>I'm currently using AF4R as written, except for one small change. I can work on Old, New, Recurring and Unfinished in any order. This seems to make it much more responsive.
That is interesting. I might try it. I thought AFR4 was moving too far from AF family (too systematic), this changes the feeling.
>Has anyone else found a system which works so well for them that they don't feel a need to change at all?
SAF
Although I must say that all AF family is great.
>I'm currently using AF4R as written, except for one small change. I can work on Old, New, Recurring and Unfinished in any order. This seems to make it much more responsive.
That is interesting. I might try it. I thought AFR4 was moving too far from AF family (too systematic), this changes the feeling.
January 14, 2011 at 14:30 |
paco_pepe
paco_pepe
@Alan and Mark
<<
It seems to me very few things are necessary in a system:
1. Simple - do the system, not think about the system.
2. Complete - capture everything
3. Limited - scope, forcing the content to stay manageable
4. Focus - get important stuff done now
>>
I would add
4. I'd call Allan's n. 4 Access - Certain control on the tasks by the user
5. Enticement - Probably the most important AF feature (* see comment)
6. Appearance - visual simplicity
(*) It seems to me that AF-DWM best feature has been getting people enticed. Kind of magic against resistance and procrastination. This key feature helps the user generate a new attitude facing work. I would say that it depends on:
a. free access to tasks of different nature
b. little and often principle
c. "standing out" principle
perhaps other reasons
>>AF1 lacked #4. AF2 lacked #3. SAF (for me) lacked #1. ((I was always hung up on whether to move on, or add a new task here, or move on and carry tasks with me.)) AF4R (also Matt's AF1 with flags) has it all.
I basically agree with Allan
AF1 lacked #4
AF2 lacked #3
DWM a bit (just a bit) poor at #5a
SAF lacked #1 (I am not so sure...)
AF4 lacked full #4 (unfinished and recurrent tasks)
AF4 + 3T lacked full #4 (recurrent tasks)
Though I haven't experienced them yet I would say
AF4R lacked #5a (this is important) and #6 (though it might be a first passing impression)
AF4R+ lacked #6
<<
It seems to me very few things are necessary in a system:
1. Simple - do the system, not think about the system.
2. Complete - capture everything
3. Limited - scope, forcing the content to stay manageable
4. Focus - get important stuff done now
>>
I would add
4. I'd call Allan's n. 4 Access - Certain control on the tasks by the user
5. Enticement - Probably the most important AF feature (* see comment)
6. Appearance - visual simplicity
(*) It seems to me that AF-DWM best feature has been getting people enticed. Kind of magic against resistance and procrastination. This key feature helps the user generate a new attitude facing work. I would say that it depends on:
a. free access to tasks of different nature
b. little and often principle
c. "standing out" principle
perhaps other reasons
>>AF1 lacked #4. AF2 lacked #3. SAF (for me) lacked #1. ((I was always hung up on whether to move on, or add a new task here, or move on and carry tasks with me.)) AF4R (also Matt's AF1 with flags) has it all.
I basically agree with Allan
AF1 lacked #4
AF2 lacked #3
DWM a bit (just a bit) poor at #5a
SAF lacked #1 (I am not so sure...)
AF4 lacked full #4 (unfinished and recurrent tasks)
AF4 + 3T lacked full #4 (recurrent tasks)
Though I haven't experienced them yet I would say
AF4R lacked #5a (this is important) and #6 (though it might be a first passing impression)
AF4R+ lacked #6
January 14, 2011 at 14:31 |
paco_pepe
paco_pepe
#5 is indeed a value of AutoFocus. As I practice it, copying today's recurring tasks to the active page, I don't see how AF4R lacks at all. Task of every nature are present on the active page. (Or as Mark practices it, he moves freely to each page as desired.)
As for #6 "visual simplicity", I take it to be part of #1, but it just isn't an issue. AF4R is just labeled pages, with task lists.
At first glance it seems like working AF4R would be confusing (#1), but that's a misperception. Where does stuff go? Enter new stuff on one page. Re-enter on the other page. Put away where it belongs.
As for #6 "visual simplicity", I take it to be part of #1, but it just isn't an issue. AF4R is just labeled pages, with task lists.
At first glance it seems like working AF4R would be confusing (#1), but that's a misperception. Where does stuff go? Enter new stuff on one page. Re-enter on the other page. Put away where it belongs.
January 14, 2011 at 15:41 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
@Paco_pepe
You ought to see "enticement" at work in AF1 with Flagged Tasks. Nothing gets my "juices flowing" like pulling flags off the task pages, putting them on the inside cover of the notebook, and seeing those flags diminish in number in the pages and increase on the inside cover. It's intoxicating.
And, to top it off, you're pulling the Flags off all the items that are standing out to you. That doubles your pleasure. And, then nagging thoughts about what you're missing on other pages is totally silenced.
For me, it has been a revelation.
Matt
You ought to see "enticement" at work in AF1 with Flagged Tasks. Nothing gets my "juices flowing" like pulling flags off the task pages, putting them on the inside cover of the notebook, and seeing those flags diminish in number in the pages and increase on the inside cover. It's intoxicating.
And, to top it off, you're pulling the Flags off all the items that are standing out to you. That doubles your pleasure. And, then nagging thoughts about what you're missing on other pages is totally silenced.
For me, it has been a revelation.
Matt
January 14, 2011 at 15:45 |
2mc
2mc
Leon:
<< I'm spending nearly all my time thinking about different systems and am changing my mind often 2-3 times a day and this is wreaking havoc with my commitments. >>
Have you thought of taking up a career as a time management guru?
<< I'm spending nearly all my time thinking about different systems and am changing my mind often 2-3 times a day and this is wreaking havoc with my commitments. >>
Have you thought of taking up a career as a time management guru?
January 14, 2011 at 16:16 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Alan -
I'm following your project page workflow. Another example would probably be a grocery list.
Curious - do you separate personal/professional AF4R lists and/or Project Pages? I know MF has recommended in the past separate "notebooks" for those areas.
Thanks.
I'm following your project page workflow. Another example would probably be a grocery list.
Curious - do you separate personal/professional AF4R lists and/or Project Pages? I know MF has recommended in the past separate "notebooks" for those areas.
Thanks.
January 14, 2011 at 16:25 |
Scott Hutchins
Scott Hutchins
Grocery list is another example, yes.
Work and home are completely isolated. At home I may have a task "Work", and at work I may bring in some stuff that came from home.
Work and home are completely isolated. At home I may have a task "Work", and at work I may bring in some stuff that came from home.
January 14, 2011 at 16:44 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
@Leon and Mark The i would be too ! LOL. I guess if we are on the forum it is because we re all passionate and found optimizing our time and effort. I would be interested t have a psychiatric opinion about this :-)) For myself I never accept limits. I just can't . I try systems until they work for me and when I am fed up of them I change ! I must admit on this subject I am not trusty at all. I like to change, test and do things it make me advance and live a 100%.
I just can't believe that people keep a system for them all life. For me, Systems are like life. Everything change every time. So just try and do.
I just can't believe that people keep a system for them all life. For me, Systems are like life. Everything change every time. So just try and do.
January 14, 2011 at 16:44 |
FocusGuy.
FocusGuy.
Scott:
<< I know MF has recommended in the past separate "notebooks" for those areas. >>
In fact what I recommended was to have a separate notebook for each location, not for each area of work. But it is only a recommendation.
<< I know MF has recommended in the past separate "notebooks" for those areas. >>
In fact what I recommended was to have a separate notebook for each location, not for each area of work. But it is only a recommendation.
January 14, 2011 at 16:54 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
I haven't used AF4R yet. It sounds like RECURRING is very similar to a TICKLER system. Alan reviews his Recurring list daily to identify anything that should be brought into the Unfiinished/Active list. NEW/OLD is basically "IN" - where things go until you decide what to do (or not do) with them.
I want to have a self-contained system and future items always pose an issue for me. I'm stuck with a separate calendar for work (Outlook) and home (iCal). Having them separate, and the fact that entering appointments on my iPhone is a bit cumbersome, deters me from using them more than I need to. Adding a TICKLER type list to the other AF4R ones MF proposed seems like a simple and effective solution.
So...I'm seeing a comprehensive system based on AF4R to include:
NEW/OLD = not started yet (note: dismissed items are effectively SOMEDAY/MAYBE if not crossed out)
RECURRING = things I'm committed to doing on a regular basis, but have not been ready to be on my radar NOW yet
UNFINISHED = started, in progress, ACTIVE
LATER/TICKLER = not ready to be started yet (see this closely related to RECURRING...could potentially combine the two into one list with some items dated and some not)
PROJECT PAGES - This is a key piece. Managing "projects" with GTD contexts was a mess for me. I feel much more on top of things and liberated from to-do list management when my tasks and notes for each project are in the same place. I expect this will dramatically reduce the length of AF4R lists as well since many items will just be the project name
Not to bring up the dreaded Kanban word again, but this seems to flow along in that way. Unfinished list items are the ACTIVE ones. Items flow from list to list with Unfinished being the NOW.
Anyway, I am going to try this with a couple of minor tweaks. First, I'll put a due date for the task/project in the left column when applicable. That will give me good guidance as I'm looking through the list. Also, I'll put a dash in the margin for todos - which I'll circle if there is a corresponding project page.
This is something I can see myself sticking with. It's easy to spend way to much time migrating from one system to another. I hope this leaves me with "not much more to say" too :)
I want to have a self-contained system and future items always pose an issue for me. I'm stuck with a separate calendar for work (Outlook) and home (iCal). Having them separate, and the fact that entering appointments on my iPhone is a bit cumbersome, deters me from using them more than I need to. Adding a TICKLER type list to the other AF4R ones MF proposed seems like a simple and effective solution.
So...I'm seeing a comprehensive system based on AF4R to include:
NEW/OLD = not started yet (note: dismissed items are effectively SOMEDAY/MAYBE if not crossed out)
RECURRING = things I'm committed to doing on a regular basis, but have not been ready to be on my radar NOW yet
UNFINISHED = started, in progress, ACTIVE
LATER/TICKLER = not ready to be started yet (see this closely related to RECURRING...could potentially combine the two into one list with some items dated and some not)
PROJECT PAGES - This is a key piece. Managing "projects" with GTD contexts was a mess for me. I feel much more on top of things and liberated from to-do list management when my tasks and notes for each project are in the same place. I expect this will dramatically reduce the length of AF4R lists as well since many items will just be the project name
Not to bring up the dreaded Kanban word again, but this seems to flow along in that way. Unfinished list items are the ACTIVE ones. Items flow from list to list with Unfinished being the NOW.
Anyway, I am going to try this with a couple of minor tweaks. First, I'll put a due date for the task/project in the left column when applicable. That will give me good guidance as I'm looking through the list. Also, I'll put a dash in the margin for todos - which I'll circle if there is a corresponding project page.
This is something I can see myself sticking with. It's easy to spend way to much time migrating from one system to another. I hope this leaves me with "not much more to say" too :)
January 14, 2011 at 18:18 |
Scott Hutchins
Scott Hutchins
Sounds about right, Scott. Good luck!
January 14, 2011 at 19:08 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Yes sounds great !
This week I tried alan Baljeu method. and did it with a new binder.
Alan I think you got it !
It works very well. Intuition is preserved and tasks are easy to manage.
So I added my projects to and this afternoon i just did as you said for my most important projects "My project pages (groups of related tasks) are labeled with tabs so I can see them all at a glance. A project is treated exactly like any other task."
I have reorganized my binder with 2 parts and 2 kinds of tabs.
The biggers are for AF
The smallers are for projects grouped by area. (GTD principle)
For my tasks I tweaked AF list with 3 colums
due date + Project + Action
Then I can see at a glance all my project list
For the moment i keep omnifocus for complicated project or really future one's
I aggre with scott gtd contexts are a real mess.
I also took a 1 page diary (a lucas) and i reported my day as a journal. + my appoitments of the day it gave me a lot of ideas to put in my binder.
OF course i keep the double reading AF MF method. It's so great.
I think I will never get rid of paper.
With computer i loose all my intuition
I dont understand why.
This week I tried alan Baljeu method. and did it with a new binder.
Alan I think you got it !
It works very well. Intuition is preserved and tasks are easy to manage.
So I added my projects to and this afternoon i just did as you said for my most important projects "My project pages (groups of related tasks) are labeled with tabs so I can see them all at a glance. A project is treated exactly like any other task."
I have reorganized my binder with 2 parts and 2 kinds of tabs.
The biggers are for AF
The smallers are for projects grouped by area. (GTD principle)
For my tasks I tweaked AF list with 3 colums
due date + Project + Action
Then I can see at a glance all my project list
For the moment i keep omnifocus for complicated project or really future one's
I aggre with scott gtd contexts are a real mess.
I also took a 1 page diary (a lucas) and i reported my day as a journal. + my appoitments of the day it gave me a lot of ideas to put in my binder.
OF course i keep the double reading AF MF method. It's so great.
I think I will never get rid of paper.
With computer i loose all my intuition
I dont understand why.
January 14, 2011 at 21:07 |
FocusGuy.
FocusGuy.
Mark:
<<Have you thought of taking up a career as a time management guru? >>
he he!
<<Have you thought of taking up a career as a time management guru? >>
he he!
January 14, 2011 at 23:11 |
leon
leon
Alan Baljeu: "Active includes stuff I'm working on. When I'm done (for now), they go back to new or recurring."
When do you actually write something in the Active page? The moment before you start working on it? For all tasks? Or just those that take more than a couple of minutes?
The reason I'm asking is the following. I have been working with AF4R + 3T (electronic), but have been struggling with some overhead caused by the fact that I'm copying all the tasks that "feel ready to be done" to a separate page (for 3Tasks). While this provides the benefits of 3T, I feel it gives too much overhead of having to copy tasks.
When do you actually write something in the Active page? The moment before you start working on it? For all tasks? Or just those that take more than a couple of minutes?
The reason I'm asking is the following. I have been working with AF4R + 3T (electronic), but have been struggling with some overhead caused by the fact that I'm copying all the tasks that "feel ready to be done" to a separate page (for 3Tasks). While this provides the benefits of 3T, I feel it gives too much overhead of having to copy tasks.
January 16, 2011 at 15:09 |
Tijl Kindt
Tijl Kindt
Why copy it? As I understood, Mark just flags the items in af4+3t, then worked on them. At work I just drag/drop things to the active page. Very quick. At home (paper) I don't bother unless it's something I will continue working on.
January 16, 2011 at 17:34 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Since 14 I have been working on Alan system on a AF4R system.
I stick with the system ! (at last)
Of course I still live AF1 but I have a real control about my active/unfinished tasks, my new and old ones, my scheduled tasks, my recurrings tasks and my someday may be tasks and project.
I also have a perfect following of my projects and aims.
The only inconvenient is the size of my binder (a A4) and it weight . Not easy to put it in a wallet when i am outside and have to work on something.
Anyway I am very please with the system. Of course i tried some others (paper system from Pascal, Waf) just one day with test and nothing yet got me such a feeling of beeing in the right direction except AF1 with flags.
I found anyway a little inconvenient with AF1 i never exactly where I was going to. In fact i did my job and at the end of the day I noticed I did the most important but I did not know really how and why. With AF4R I think more. I take time to do things and my productivity is less in amount of tasks than in AF1 or even in AF4.But there is a real advantage. In a glance I know exactly where are my bigs rocks and what i must do. I also know all whicj is active so I can focus on it and do what must be.
I often regret AF1 when i was advancing in a thick fogs but doing things without really wondering how and the enthousiasm which brought me little by little to the end.
With AF4R there is alway a dog leash which dont let me go to the uncertain but leads me to a real control. I dont know yet if it is better. I guess my intuition was more increased by af1 that it AF4R even if sometime the system increased so fast that i wondered exactly how i could handle it.
I stick with the system ! (at last)
Of course I still live AF1 but I have a real control about my active/unfinished tasks, my new and old ones, my scheduled tasks, my recurrings tasks and my someday may be tasks and project.
I also have a perfect following of my projects and aims.
The only inconvenient is the size of my binder (a A4) and it weight . Not easy to put it in a wallet when i am outside and have to work on something.
Anyway I am very please with the system. Of course i tried some others (paper system from Pascal, Waf) just one day with test and nothing yet got me such a feeling of beeing in the right direction except AF1 with flags.
I found anyway a little inconvenient with AF1 i never exactly where I was going to. In fact i did my job and at the end of the day I noticed I did the most important but I did not know really how and why. With AF4R I think more. I take time to do things and my productivity is less in amount of tasks than in AF1 or even in AF4.But there is a real advantage. In a glance I know exactly where are my bigs rocks and what i must do. I also know all whicj is active so I can focus on it and do what must be.
I often regret AF1 when i was advancing in a thick fogs but doing things without really wondering how and the enthousiasm which brought me little by little to the end.
With AF4R there is alway a dog leash which dont let me go to the uncertain but leads me to a real control. I dont know yet if it is better. I guess my intuition was more increased by af1 that it AF4R even if sometime the system increased so fast that i wondered exactly how i could handle it.
January 18, 2011 at 16:30 |
FocusGuy.
FocusGuy.
Glad to hear it, Jupiter.
"The only inconvenient is the size of my binder (a A4) and it weight . Not easy to put it in a wallet when i am outside and have to work on something. "
Try taking only the "active tasks" page instead, with a folder or clipboard. It doesn't fit your wallet, but it's much lighter.
"The only inconvenient is the size of my binder (a A4) and it weight . Not easy to put it in a wallet when i am outside and have to work on something. "
Try taking only the "active tasks" page instead, with a folder or clipboard. It doesn't fit your wallet, but it's much lighter.
January 18, 2011 at 19:33 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Jupiter,
I'm also running with Alan's latest (final? Never!) version, and using ADOCS A5 binder and paper. The work stuff runs from the front cover, I flip the notebook upside down and run personal stuff from the "back".
Repocketmod is another option for carrying around in a wallet.
Yes, still with paper and pen, but see that iPhone item I just posted on . . .
I'm also running with Alan's latest (final? Never!) version, and using ADOCS A5 binder and paper. The work stuff runs from the front cover, I flip the notebook upside down and run personal stuff from the "back".
Repocketmod is another option for carrying around in a wallet.
Yes, still with paper and pen, but see that iPhone item I just posted on . . .
January 18, 2011 at 19:48 |
Roger J
Roger J
I just posted another topic abou a try to increase my intuition ie just put in AF my active task with a dash for actives and unfinished. But dont mistake i keps my unfinished active divider for later if it doesnt sits to me. So it is just a try to see if it s better or not.
Anyway I kept my binder and the basic alan's method and as i explained (see 14th of january) and it is terrific !
Anyway I kept my binder and the basic alan's method and as i explained (see 14th of january) and it is terrific !
January 18, 2011 at 20:11 |
FocusGuy.
FocusGuy.
It works smoothly in business management using OneNote, and personal management using loose leaf paper. The project system (i.e. managing groups of connected tasks) is working smoothly within AF4R.
I feel a strong understanding of what makes AutoFocus tick [I've written several posts on the topic], and can instantly adapt AF4R to urgent pressure, to catching up neglected things, or to ordinary situations.
There remain a couple topics concerning household management that bear discussion, but as for task management, I feel the problem is solved.
I'll stick around, share my answers to questions, look forward especially to future posts by Mark, but feel no more urge to consider new variants on these systems.