Discussion Forum > Favorite notational hacks
The biggest and most helpful notation I use actually came from "2mc" and is regards to follow-up on delegated tasks. If I delegate a task, I start the task with the number of times I've followed-up and the date I last contacted the person. So if I ask Patsy to pick up my dry-cleaning, I write:
(0-8/30) Patsy to get dry-cleaning
And a follow-up would turn into:
(1-9/2) Patsy to get dry-cleaning
... Now I just need to find a patsy to get my dry-cleaning. :)
(0-8/30) Patsy to get dry-cleaning
And a follow-up would turn into:
(1-9/2) Patsy to get dry-cleaning
... Now I just need to find a patsy to get my dry-cleaning. :)
September 2, 2011 at 20:34 |
jFenter
jFenter
My done pages get a giant diagonal line.
Task -> project, to tie a task to a project.
P project to tell me to look up said project for details.
Task -> project, to tie a task to a project.
P project to tell me to look up said project for details.
September 2, 2011 at 21:26 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
You might enjoy this:
http://todoodlist.com/
The ebook contains a scheme for "doodling" a to-do list, drawing a "sudoku calendar," and creating a personal set of "glyphies" to tag a notebook.
http://todoodlist.com/
The ebook contains a scheme for "doodling" a to-do list, drawing a "sudoku calendar," and creating a personal set of "glyphies" to tag a notebook.
September 3, 2011 at 2:37 |
Bernie
Bernie
Put a date at the top of each page.
September 3, 2011 at 5:06 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
Number the pages.
One could only number the odd pages, or the even pages. One could later number the unnumbered pages.
Leave some pages blank in front.
Use an index or table of contents in the front. Use the page numbers for reference.
notesaboutnotes.com has more hacks.
One could only number the odd pages, or the even pages. One could later number the unnumbered pages.
Leave some pages blank in front.
Use an index or table of contents in the front. Use the page numbers for reference.
notesaboutnotes.com has more hacks.
September 3, 2011 at 5:30 |
markhedm
markhedm
Question:
Is it better to use a checklist for recurring tasks, writing the item only once, and using a checkmark for each time it is done, thus saving paper,
or putting a line through the item, and rewriting it, as in AF? This uses up more paper, but I find I am more likely to do the item.
Is it better to use a checklist for recurring tasks, writing the item only once, and using a checkmark for each time it is done, thus saving paper,
or putting a line through the item, and rewriting it, as in AF? This uses up more paper, but I find I am more likely to do the item.
September 3, 2011 at 5:33 |
markhedm
markhedm
+JMJ+
markhedm: <<Is it better to use a checklist for recurring tasks, writing the item only once, and using a checkmark for each time it is done, thus saving paper, or putting a line through the item, and rewriting it, as in AF? This uses up more paper, but I find I am more likely to do the item.>>
I have advocated four approaches to handling recurring tasks over the past years.
One is, of course, to let the recurrent lists lie in the AF list. The disadvantage of that is they can clog up the system.
Second is the checklist: http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1253799
Another is "filtering/pre-filtering": http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1262814#item1265787
The last, and what I am currently working upon, is tagging. Still working on it, so no link to show, sorry.
Personally, I found checklists to be most effective in reducing clutter in AF1. Filtering/pre-filtering is good for AF4. Tagging is for time-based dismissal systems like DWM2, but, as I have said, still working on that.
Godspeed.
markhedm: <<Is it better to use a checklist for recurring tasks, writing the item only once, and using a checkmark for each time it is done, thus saving paper, or putting a line through the item, and rewriting it, as in AF? This uses up more paper, but I find I am more likely to do the item.>>
I have advocated four approaches to handling recurring tasks over the past years.
One is, of course, to let the recurrent lists lie in the AF list. The disadvantage of that is they can clog up the system.
Second is the checklist: http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1253799
Another is "filtering/pre-filtering": http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1262814#item1265787
The last, and what I am currently working upon, is tagging. Still working on it, so no link to show, sorry.
Personally, I found checklists to be most effective in reducing clutter in AF1. Filtering/pre-filtering is good for AF4. Tagging is for time-based dismissal systems like DWM2, but, as I have said, still working on that.
Godspeed.
September 4, 2011 at 17:26 |
nuntym
nuntym
A compromise system: The line says do something five times (or a week's worth). When you've done it five times, it gets a new line.
September 6, 2011 at 16:23 |
Cricket
Cricket
markhedm:
<< This uses up more paper, but I find I am more likely to do the item. >>
If saving paper is a concern then you would be better off not doing the item at all. Work leads to more work after all.
<< This uses up more paper, but I find I am more likely to do the item. >>
If saving paper is a concern then you would be better off not doing the item at all. Work leads to more work after all.
September 6, 2011 at 17:19 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
I identified four aspects of living as essential, and am using the initial letter to highlight which is key for each task. The idea is to continually be aware of whether life has a healthy balance to it. My key areas are
(C)ommunuity: sharing time with friends, family, etc.
(S)ervice: work, volunteering, doing stuff for people
(L)iving: enjoying life, Fun
(F)itness: mental, physical, emotional, financial health; fit to serve, commune, and live well.
The idea for this originally came from the program Life Balance.
(C)ommunuity: sharing time with friends, family, etc.
(S)ervice: work, volunteering, doing stuff for people
(L)iving: enjoying life, Fun
(F)itness: mental, physical, emotional, financial health; fit to serve, commune, and live well.
The idea for this originally came from the program Life Balance.
September 11, 2011 at 0:46 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
+JMJ+
That actually reminds me a lot of Erik's Personal Kanban Sytem, Alan.
That actually reminds me a lot of Erik's Personal Kanban Sytem, Alan.
September 12, 2011 at 2:06 |
nuntym
nuntym
Except that this is just an indicator, not associated with rules or quotas.
September 12, 2011 at 13:31 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
I'm currently using a "FreeForm" pocket notebook, with AF1 pages interspersed with other ad-hoc lists, daily journal pages, etc. I keep a table of contents (index) on the first page, to help me find the next AF page, as well as from/to "links" on the bottom corners of each AF page. One of the hacks I use is the left-margin dot to mark the next task to be done. I don't like to leave the notebook without making a dot on the next thing I plan to do. But if I'm taking a break, I will use a pencil to make the dot, as it's possible that priority will shift when I get back to working the system. I use a Pilot Dr. Grip 4+1 multipen – the "+1" means that it includes a mechanical pencil – so I always have pen color choices and pencil handy.
Today I realized that I want to get a lot of little things done, spread out over several AF pages in the book. So I scanned all of the AF pages this morning, and penciled a small circle in the dot's place on each of the tasks I hope to complete today. I think this will work very well, and save me some time doing the normal first scan at each page visit.
Please share your favorite notational tips and tricks below!