Discussion Forum > AF 1 (2013 Edition): Tools, tips & tricks, solutions & challenges...
As I've said before, I tend to use a system from the time I get up in the morning to the time I go to bed. The only times I'm not using it are when I'm on a scheduled activity.
I'll be interested to see other people's responses to Avrum's question.
I'll be interested to see other people's responses to Avrum's question.
November 15, 2013 at 11:02 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
One other point: I don't prepare a list before starting. I usually start by writing a short list (10-20 items) of easy tasks, get working right away, and then add other tasks as I think of them or as they come up in the course of working the list.
I've found this has worked very well with this particular system.
And talking of "this particular system", I suppose I should give it an official name. It is hereby named the "Jefferson Nickel" system according to my policy of naming new systems from now on after the Wikipedia article of the day.
I've found this has worked very well with this particular system.
And talking of "this particular system", I suppose I should give it an official name. It is hereby named the "Jefferson Nickel" system according to my policy of naming new systems from now on after the Wikipedia article of the day.
November 15, 2013 at 11:09 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark:
I work from a list when I have some time to engage it, either at work or at home.
< It is hereby named the "Jefferson Nickel" system >
I felt SeedBed was more apt. But it's your call!
I work from a list when I have some time to engage it, either at work or at home.
< It is hereby named the "Jefferson Nickel" system >
I felt SeedBed was more apt. But it's your call!
November 15, 2013 at 11:48 |
Leon
Leon
Mark:
<< I don't prepare a list before starting>>
I'm confused - what about the ongoing tasks/projects, etc from the day before, and the day before that?
<< I don't prepare a list before starting>>
I'm confused - what about the ongoing tasks/projects, etc from the day before, and the day before that?
November 15, 2013 at 12:34 |
avrum
avrum
Leon:
<< I felt SeedBed was more apt. >>
You're right!
Let's keep "Jefferson Nickel" as the codeword for the secret project we are working on, then when I reveal it to the world (i.e. by writing a blog post about it) we will give it its proper name.
<< I felt SeedBed was more apt. >>
You're right!
Let's keep "Jefferson Nickel" as the codeword for the secret project we are working on, then when I reveal it to the world (i.e. by writing a blog post about it) we will give it its proper name.
November 15, 2013 at 13:07 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
avrum:
I was referring to starting the system from scratch. In other words I don't launch the system by first writing out a huge list. I let it build up gradually.
I was referring to starting the system from scratch. In other words I don't launch the system by first writing out a huge list. I let it build up gradually.
November 15, 2013 at 13:09 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
While I'm on I might as well mention that I've noticed that Jefferson Nickel behaves a bit differently from AF1. It seems to result in a more tightly compressed list.
I'm not quite sure why that is, but the following factors may have something to do with it:
1) It's much easier to start a difficult task (or any task for that matter) by doing just a small amount of work on it, safe in the knowledge that it really is going to get finished further down the line.
2) When there's a dotted task approaching which you don't particularly fancy doing, there's a tendency to do all the intervening tasks in order to put off the evil day.
Anyway I'm still finding things out about this system - which seems to be working very well indeed.
I'm not quite sure why that is, but the following factors may have something to do with it:
1) It's much easier to start a difficult task (or any task for that matter) by doing just a small amount of work on it, safe in the knowledge that it really is going to get finished further down the line.
2) When there's a dotted task approaching which you don't particularly fancy doing, there's a tendency to do all the intervening tasks in order to put off the evil day.
Anyway I'm still finding things out about this system - which seems to be working very well indeed.
November 15, 2013 at 13:16 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
"I'm always curious how people integrate Mark's rules/systems into their life. In this case, would you start with your AF list first thing in the AM?"
I generally follow the David Allen workflow method of Collect, Process, Organize, Review, Do. So when I get to the office, the first thing I do is Collect all my paper and electronic notes into one place. Then I Process those notes and my email inbox into Outlook. Then I organize them by determining if they are a next action (which means they go on the list) or somewhere else. Now it's Review time, checking my calendar for meetings and deliverable dates and perhaps reviewing my project list. Take a deep breath, and then Do, which means following an AF system, for me these days it is UTMS mixed with AF2 for the New list.
I usually get through the steps prior to do in 30-60 minutes (depending on number of emails). On days where I have lots of meetings, I start over at Collect each time I return.
I generally follow the David Allen workflow method of Collect, Process, Organize, Review, Do. So when I get to the office, the first thing I do is Collect all my paper and electronic notes into one place. Then I Process those notes and my email inbox into Outlook. Then I organize them by determining if they are a next action (which means they go on the list) or somewhere else. Now it's Review time, checking my calendar for meetings and deliverable dates and perhaps reviewing my project list. Take a deep breath, and then Do, which means following an AF system, for me these days it is UTMS mixed with AF2 for the New list.
I usually get through the steps prior to do in 30-60 minutes (depending on number of emails). On days where I have lots of meetings, I start over at Collect each time I return.
November 15, 2013 at 13:45 |
vegheadjones
vegheadjones
My day started like this:
Wife puts 9 month old on my head, while my 3 year old is crawling up my legs. Lists? HA! For the next two hours I stumble through the morning making breakfast, wiping snot and dropping off my toddler (late, as usual) for pre-school.
Instead of bookmarking time for using "Jefferson Nickel" i.e. between 10am - 5pm, I'm going to time myself whenever I'm engaged with the system. I'm curious to see how long I can sustain, day to day, working from a list with rules. I'll report the results after gathering one week of data.
Wife puts 9 month old on my head, while my 3 year old is crawling up my legs. Lists? HA! For the next two hours I stumble through the morning making breakfast, wiping snot and dropping off my toddler (late, as usual) for pre-school.
Instead of bookmarking time for using "Jefferson Nickel" i.e. between 10am - 5pm, I'm going to time myself whenever I'm engaged with the system. I'm curious to see how long I can sustain, day to day, working from a list with rules. I'll report the results after gathering one week of data.
November 15, 2013 at 14:54 |
avrum
avrum
Avrum, My day starts the same way, but with one three year old and getting her (late) on the bus for pre-school rather than dropping off
I wouldn't even dream of working off a list then!
I wouldn't even dream of working off a list then!
November 15, 2013 at 16:24 |
vegheadjones
vegheadjones
avrum, veghead:
Getting child(ren) to (pre-)school is a scheduled activity so wouldn't be on a list anyway. In our case it was one five-year old, one three-year old and one one-year old!
Getting child(ren) to (pre-)school is a scheduled activity so wouldn't be on a list anyway. In our case it was one five-year old, one three-year old and one one-year old!
November 15, 2013 at 16:53 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Ah, so the real secret of productivity is to not have kids!
November 15, 2013 at 17:52 |
Chris
Chris
Currently a emotional pre-teen who is so stressed out by long-term projects that she forgets them. Same with projects due immediately. Same with packing her bag the night before.
And a teenager whose teachers are gentle if he's late, so the only consequences are from home, and we disagree over how long it takes to bike to school.
I stay out of the way and call out the time every so often.
Ages ago, it was kindergarten and playschool on the same days. So much for my plan to walk him to school. I timed the morning by which kids' show was on.
(Still here and kicking, but I discovered that it's easier to avoid getting sucked into long discussions, and longer replies, if I don't read them.) But today's Friday.
And a teenager whose teachers are gentle if he's late, so the only consequences are from home, and we disagree over how long it takes to bike to school.
I stay out of the way and call out the time every so often.
Ages ago, it was kindergarten and playschool on the same days. So much for my plan to walk him to school. I timed the morning by which kids' show was on.
(Still here and kicking, but I discovered that it's easier to avoid getting sucked into long discussions, and longer replies, if I don't read them.) But today's Friday.
November 15, 2013 at 17:54 |
Cricket
Cricket
Chris:
<< Ah, so the real secret of productivity is to not have kids! >>
Having kids IS productivity.
<< Ah, so the real secret of productivity is to not have kids! >>
Having kids IS productivity.
November 15, 2013 at 18:05 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Is there more information about this new system? Have the rules been posted somewhere? I can't seem to find it.
November 15, 2013 at 22:45 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
I think I found it - is it here?
http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2227611#post2236944
http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2227611#post2236944
November 16, 2013 at 0:01 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
Tracking...
My idea of timing how long I'm in "Jefferson Nickel" mode was a dismal failure. In the past, I think Mark would count how many items were added each day. What method would you use to gauge how well you're doing with a list-based system like "Jefferson Nickel" or AF 1, etc?
My idea of timing how long I'm in "Jefferson Nickel" mode was a dismal failure. In the past, I think Mark would count how many items were added each day. What method would you use to gauge how well you're doing with a list-based system like "Jefferson Nickel" or AF 1, etc?
November 17, 2013 at 22:07 |
avrum
avrum
avrum:
The method I often use is how many days' work is in the system, i.e. how many days would it take to work on every task on your list if no new stuff were added?
This can be calculated by dividing the total number of actioned tasks on your list by the number of days your list has been going. This gives you the average number of tasks worked on each day. You then divide the total number of unactioned tasks on your list by this number.
So for instance my current list has been going for 5 days. I have taken action on 273 tasks. Therefore my daily average is 54.6 tasks. I have 68 tasks unactioned. Therefore there is 1.25 days' worth of tasks in the system.
The significant thing is the trend in this figure, which will show you how well you are keeping up with your work.
The method I often use is how many days' work is in the system, i.e. how many days would it take to work on every task on your list if no new stuff were added?
This can be calculated by dividing the total number of actioned tasks on your list by the number of days your list has been going. This gives you the average number of tasks worked on each day. You then divide the total number of unactioned tasks on your list by this number.
So for instance my current list has been going for 5 days. I have taken action on 273 tasks. Therefore my daily average is 54.6 tasks. I have 68 tasks unactioned. Therefore there is 1.25 days' worth of tasks in the system.
The significant thing is the trend in this figure, which will show you how well you are keeping up with your work.
November 18, 2013 at 0:27 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Thanks Mark. Very helpful.
November 18, 2013 at 13:32 |
avrum
avrum
would you start with your AF list first thing in the AM.
Depends on my mood. But as vegheadjones I follow during my day GTD rules. The job is so hard that I can't get rid of it.
At night I have clean my inboxes and updated my lists.
I start the day in my kitchen just reading my emails to see if there is not an emergency
(it happens sometime)
I wake up and take 5 mn of meditation first. The house is quiet it is the only time for me ;-)
then after my breakfast (tea and bred and English marmelade)
I sit on my desk and do quick jot of all I think on a blank paper page.
Then I read my 6 lists to see if I did not forget anything. Did I ?
I let my spirit put on paper my first purposes of the day freely.
I then prioritize the list A, B, C, time expected, the N°1, 2, 3 and do the first project first. It is the most important of my day. The one that if I had to stay at night I would stay for it.
then Later I will read my emails when it will be possible.
Then I report on my diary what I did or on my paper notebook. sometime both.
Then I do the most of I can little by little but most important things first and at a batch together project by projects.
Depends on my mood. But as vegheadjones I follow during my day GTD rules. The job is so hard that I can't get rid of it.
At night I have clean my inboxes and updated my lists.
I start the day in my kitchen just reading my emails to see if there is not an emergency
(it happens sometime)
I wake up and take 5 mn of meditation first. The house is quiet it is the only time for me ;-)
then after my breakfast (tea and bred and English marmelade)
I sit on my desk and do quick jot of all I think on a blank paper page.
Then I read my 6 lists to see if I did not forget anything. Did I ?
I let my spirit put on paper my first purposes of the day freely.
I then prioritize the list A, B, C, time expected, the N°1, 2, 3 and do the first project first. It is the most important of my day. The one that if I had to stay at night I would stay for it.
then Later I will read my emails when it will be possible.
Then I report on my diary what I did or on my paper notebook. sometime both.
Then I do the most of I can little by little but most important things first and at a batch together project by projects.
November 18, 2013 at 18:04 |
Jupiter
Jupiter
Mark:
Scenario: I come across two dotted tasks, one after the other, which are on the last page. I work on the first task and reenter it (on the same i.e. last page) with a dot. I do the same with the next task, and reenter it with a dot. Now, what if only one or two tasks separate the newly entered dotted tasks. And what if I don't take any action on those one or two tasks, do I immediately start working on the two dotted tasks I just did work on? What if only a min or two passed? Curious to hear your thoughts.
Scenario: I come across two dotted tasks, one after the other, which are on the last page. I work on the first task and reenter it (on the same i.e. last page) with a dot. I do the same with the next task, and reenter it with a dot. Now, what if only one or two tasks separate the newly entered dotted tasks. And what if I don't take any action on those one or two tasks, do I immediately start working on the two dotted tasks I just did work on? What if only a min or two passed? Curious to hear your thoughts.
November 18, 2013 at 18:07 |
avrum
avrum
avrum:
The rule is that you must always take some action on a dotted task when you come to it, unless that would entail doing the same task twice in succession.
In the scenario you paint, you would simply alternate the two tasks until you had finished one of them.
The rule is that you must always take some action on a dotted task when you come to it, unless that would entail doing the same task twice in succession.
In the scenario you paint, you would simply alternate the two tasks until you had finished one of them.
November 18, 2013 at 19:35 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Resistance to the rules/workflow...
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon working from the list. I've noticed that:
a. Scanning the entire page w/o taking action causes more anxiety than clarity and/or getting a feel for the page. I'm going to bypass that rule today and see what happens
b. I'm either unable or unwilling to spend my entire day working from the list. I need to bookmark start and end times - I'm thinking 10AM - 6PM.
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon working from the list. I've noticed that:
a. Scanning the entire page w/o taking action causes more anxiety than clarity and/or getting a feel for the page. I'm going to bypass that rule today and see what happens
b. I'm either unable or unwilling to spend my entire day working from the list. I need to bookmark start and end times - I'm thinking 10AM - 6PM.
November 19, 2013 at 14:42 |
avrum
avrum
Hi Mark, you said to Avrum:
<In the scenario you paint, you would simply alternate the two tasks until you had finished one of them. >
Forgive me if I'm being a bit dim. But does this mean this method is extremely focussed on finishing tasks? Not that that's a bad thing. Does it mean that, as you cycle thru the pages, once you reach the the last page, you can only leave it when there's a single unfinished, ie dotted, task left?
<In the scenario you paint, you would simply alternate the two tasks until you had finished one of them. >
Forgive me if I'm being a bit dim. But does this mean this method is extremely focussed on finishing tasks? Not that that's a bad thing. Does it mean that, as you cycle thru the pages, once you reach the the last page, you can only leave it when there's a single unfinished, ie dotted, task left?
November 19, 2013 at 15:02 |
Donald
Donald
Donald:
<< Does it mean that, as you cycle thru the pages, once you reach the the last page, you can only leave it when there's a single unfinished, ie dotted, task left? >>
Not quite. There may be no dotted tasks left, in which case you would leave the page as soon as no tasks stood out. Or you may have done another undotted task since you last did the single dotted task, in which case you wouldn't yet leave the page.
If you follow the rules as given at http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2227611#post2236944 exactly, you will see how the rule works out and why it is necessary.
<< Does it mean that, as you cycle thru the pages, once you reach the the last page, you can only leave it when there's a single unfinished, ie dotted, task left? >>
Not quite. There may be no dotted tasks left, in which case you would leave the page as soon as no tasks stood out. Or you may have done another undotted task since you last did the single dotted task, in which case you wouldn't yet leave the page.
If you follow the rules as given at http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2227611#post2236944 exactly, you will see how the rule works out and why it is necessary.
November 19, 2013 at 20:09 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
avrum:
<< Scanning the entire page w/o taking action causes more anxiety than clarity and/or getting a feel for the page. I'm going to bypass that rule today and see what happens >>
You're probably taking too long on the scan. It's supposed to be a quick look through without dwelling on any task. You can see how I do it on the AF1 video http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2009/2/15/at-last-autofocus-the-video.html
<< Scanning the entire page w/o taking action causes more anxiety than clarity and/or getting a feel for the page. I'm going to bypass that rule today and see what happens >>
You're probably taking too long on the scan. It's supposed to be a quick look through without dwelling on any task. You can see how I do it on the AF1 video http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2009/2/15/at-last-autofocus-the-video.html
November 19, 2013 at 20:13 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark:
<< It's supposed to be a quick look through without dwelling on any task.>>
You're a pretty thorough guy, so I'd imagine there's a good reason for this rule. Would you mind sharing you're thinking on why you included this rule. Thanks.
<< It's supposed to be a quick look through without dwelling on any task.>>
You're a pretty thorough guy, so I'd imagine there's a good reason for this rule. Would you mind sharing you're thinking on why you included this rule. Thanks.
November 19, 2013 at 20:50 |
avrum
avrum
Avrum:
I think it's due to Mark's theory of how humans make decisions, which I've attempted to expand on in the thread "How do you define productivity?" (not sure how to hyperlink to individual comments though)
I think it's due to Mark's theory of how humans make decisions, which I've attempted to expand on in the thread "How do you define productivity?" (not sure how to hyperlink to individual comments though)
November 19, 2013 at 22:06 |
michael
michael
One thing I don't think I've seen addressed yet about the Jefferson Nickel system is how it handles out-of-context tasks. For example, some of my tasks can only be done during business hours, or only when on campus, or whatever. My favorite Forster systems have always been the ones that handle this well. For example, the Final Version always gives you an in-context list. DIT allows you to choose when and where you do the tasks on a given day. However, it seems to me that the Jefferson Nickel system requires you to break the rules when you reach a dotted task that is out of context. Mark, is there a simple way to resolve this?
November 20, 2013 at 0:55 |
Austin
Austin
Austin - I've struggled with this as well. I work in coffee shops, my office, etc. In my life, things aren't neatly divided into: Work & Home.
November 20, 2013 at 1:18 |
avrum
avrum
avrum:
<< You're a pretty thorough guy, so I'd imagine there's a good reason for this rule. Would you mind sharing you're thinking on why you included this rule. >>
It's the same reason you give anything a quick look-through before starting work on it - to sum up the situation - get an idea what you're in for - get your mind to begin working on what to do and what order to do it in.
<< You're a pretty thorough guy, so I'd imagine there's a good reason for this rule. Would you mind sharing you're thinking on why you included this rule. >>
It's the same reason you give anything a quick look-through before starting work on it - to sum up the situation - get an idea what you're in for - get your mind to begin working on what to do and what order to do it in.
November 20, 2013 at 10:11 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
michael:
<< I think it's due to Mark's theory of how humans make decisions >>
I think you're over complicating things!
<< I think it's due to Mark's theory of how humans make decisions >>
I think you're over complicating things!
November 20, 2013 at 10:13 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Austin:
<< it seems to me that the Jefferson Nickel system requires you to break the rules when you reach a dotted task that is out of context. >>
My recommendation has always been that you have a separate list for each location that you work in. I think it may even say that in the AF1 rules.
<< it seems to me that the Jefferson Nickel system requires you to break the rules when you reach a dotted task that is out of context. >>
My recommendation has always been that you have a separate list for each location that you work in. I think it may even say that in the AF1 rules.
November 20, 2013 at 10:17 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
avrum:
<< I've struggled with this as well. I work in coffee shops, my office, etc. In my life, things aren't neatly divided into: Work & Home. >>
"Work & Home" is not a division that I encourage. "Home" is a location. "Work" is not. Instead of "Work" I recommend you to use "Office", which is a location. You will then immediately see that you need another list for "Coffee Shop".
<< I've struggled with this as well. I work in coffee shops, my office, etc. In my life, things aren't neatly divided into: Work & Home. >>
"Work & Home" is not a division that I encourage. "Home" is a location. "Work" is not. Instead of "Work" I recommend you to use "Office", which is a location. You will then immediately see that you need another list for "Coffee Shop".
November 20, 2013 at 10:22 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
"My recommendation has always been that you have a separate list for each location that you work in. I think it may even say that in the AF1 rules."
It's a little more complicated than that for me. Much of my work as a student can be done in either place. I can work on homework at home or on campus, and I can, say, search for apartments (a personal task, of course) while on campus if I want to. Only a small cross section of my work is context limited, but it is enough to make a difference. Having two or more lists, with many tasks applying to both lists, is very tedious to me. One of the things that had me drooling over the FV when you released it -- and part of the reason it is still probably my favorite system today -- is that I can keep one master list, and my preselected list is always in context. Now, maybe this is a personal problem that is unique to a student, but I have a feeling some of these things apply to others here as well.
It's a little more complicated than that for me. Much of my work as a student can be done in either place. I can work on homework at home or on campus, and I can, say, search for apartments (a personal task, of course) while on campus if I want to. Only a small cross section of my work is context limited, but it is enough to make a difference. Having two or more lists, with many tasks applying to both lists, is very tedious to me. One of the things that had me drooling over the FV when you released it -- and part of the reason it is still probably my favorite system today -- is that I can keep one master list, and my preselected list is always in context. Now, maybe this is a personal problem that is unique to a student, but I have a feeling some of these things apply to others here as well.
November 20, 2013 at 14:57 |
Austin
Austin
The context-thing was what always bothered me about GTD. It's impossible to create a set of contexts that are mutually exclusively and still workable.
As for the Home / Office / Coffee Shop division: what about stuff that I can do at either location? Create a 4th list "Anywere"? Having more than 2 lists requires to think carefully about what list to put it in before you write something down, apart from thinking about how to phrase it, how to define it precisely enough to know when it's "finished" etc. You could argue to have a context @Computer, but what about laptop/desktop/computer-at-work-that-has-different-software-installed? Aaargh!
At some point I got so fed up with thinking about overlapping/nested/mutually exclusive contexts that I ditched the whole context-idea and stuck with one list. One disadvantage is that I can get distracted by home-stuff when at work, but in practice that's not too bad. Usually my home tasks are moving much slower than my work tasks, so I end up with a list that has mostly home-related tasks at the beginning, and mostly work-related tasks at the end. But a major disadvantage is that it messes up the flow of the AF1-algorithm on pages where you have only one or two items left that can only be done in a specific context, which I guess is similar to what Austin is talking about.
As for the Home / Office / Coffee Shop division: what about stuff that I can do at either location? Create a 4th list "Anywere"? Having more than 2 lists requires to think carefully about what list to put it in before you write something down, apart from thinking about how to phrase it, how to define it precisely enough to know when it's "finished" etc. You could argue to have a context @Computer, but what about laptop/desktop/computer-at-work-that-has-different-software-installed? Aaargh!
At some point I got so fed up with thinking about overlapping/nested/mutually exclusive contexts that I ditched the whole context-idea and stuck with one list. One disadvantage is that I can get distracted by home-stuff when at work, but in practice that's not too bad. Usually my home tasks are moving much slower than my work tasks, so I end up with a list that has mostly home-related tasks at the beginning, and mostly work-related tasks at the end. But a major disadvantage is that it messes up the flow of the AF1-algorithm on pages where you have only one or two items left that can only be done in a specific context, which I guess is similar to what Austin is talking about.
November 20, 2013 at 16:04 |
Nicole
Nicole
Austin and Nicole:
I don't have an answer to your questions. I can't cover every situation faced by every user, so essentially it's up to the individual to find the way that suits them best. And if they can't find a suitable way, then they should try another system.
Having said that, you may be able to do stuff in either place, but I presume that most of it you don't *have* to do in both places. So the solution might be to restrict most tasks to one or other place, regardless of the fact that you could do them in either.
That is certainly the case with the coffee-shop list. If I work in a coffee-shop then there are probably only about three tasks which I am likely to do there, e.g. email, writing my next brilliant novel and checking Facebook. So quite a short list.
I don't have an answer to your questions. I can't cover every situation faced by every user, so essentially it's up to the individual to find the way that suits them best. And if they can't find a suitable way, then they should try another system.
Having said that, you may be able to do stuff in either place, but I presume that most of it you don't *have* to do in both places. So the solution might be to restrict most tasks to one or other place, regardless of the fact that you could do them in either.
That is certainly the case with the coffee-shop list. If I work in a coffee-shop then there are probably only about three tasks which I am likely to do there, e.g. email, writing my next brilliant novel and checking Facebook. So quite a short list.
November 20, 2013 at 16:29 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Thanks, Mark. I know from experience that I am happier with one list. For the most part this does not cause problems, but it seems like it has that potential in the Jefferson Nickel system. Maybe I will just create a rule that allows me to ignore dotted tasks that truly cannot be done now. It may be as simple as that.
November 20, 2013 at 22:27 |
Austin
Austin
On the context issues - I've often run from just one list. If a task can't be done because it's out of context then it doesn't stand out for me when I scan the page. It means I have to pay attention on dismissal because I may scan a page and have nothing stand out, but there may be out of context tasks on there. So I wouldn't dismiss a page unless all the tasks COULD have been done but didn't stand out.
The main thing that has me split lists is the convenience of the physical notebook. For example I have run work and personal life from one pocket notebook in the past but currently have a separate larger notebook for my job, because I want the extra page size when taking notes. When I work in different locations it's just a matter of having my work notebook with me, which isn't an issue as I also need various files and my laptop, so the notebook is a small part of the logistics.
I freely add personal tasks to my work notebook and vice-versa if it seems appropriate at the time, I don't fret about it too much. If I am really stuck, let's say without a notebook or really wanting to note something for home while I am at work I just email myself and then pick it up later.
If I am really worried I will miss a time-critical task then I add a reminder to my calendar.
It's not perfect but it's largely worry-free.
The main thing that has me split lists is the convenience of the physical notebook. For example I have run work and personal life from one pocket notebook in the past but currently have a separate larger notebook for my job, because I want the extra page size when taking notes. When I work in different locations it's just a matter of having my work notebook with me, which isn't an issue as I also need various files and my laptop, so the notebook is a small part of the logistics.
I freely add personal tasks to my work notebook and vice-versa if it seems appropriate at the time, I don't fret about it too much. If I am really stuck, let's say without a notebook or really wanting to note something for home while I am at work I just email myself and then pick it up later.
If I am really worried I will miss a time-critical task then I add a reminder to my calendar.
It's not perfect but it's largely worry-free.
November 21, 2013 at 8:57 |
Matt Gregory
Matt Gregory
Thanks for the reply, Mark.
Yes, whenever I feel the urge to go back to split lists your suggestion of restricting most items to one list, even if they can be done at multiple places, is what I try to do. But most of the time, my one single list works reasonably well. It's just that every now and then the disadvantages I mentioned bother me a bit more than usual, so then I experiment with a Home list and an Office list. In the end I always come back to a single list, because with split lists I always have the feeling there might be something in the other list that I'm missing.
I like the idea of a small and a larger notebook that Matt mentioned to maintain split lists. I do that during holidays, so I might try that sometime for regular work periods also.
Yes, whenever I feel the urge to go back to split lists your suggestion of restricting most items to one list, even if they can be done at multiple places, is what I try to do. But most of the time, my one single list works reasonably well. It's just that every now and then the disadvantages I mentioned bother me a bit more than usual, so then I experiment with a Home list and an Office list. In the end I always come back to a single list, because with split lists I always have the feeling there might be something in the other list that I'm missing.
I like the idea of a small and a larger notebook that Matt mentioned to maintain split lists. I do that during holidays, so I might try that sometime for regular work periods also.
November 21, 2013 at 10:04 |
Nicole
Nicole
Regarding Contexts. Consider keeping three seperate lists: Home, Work, and Coffee Shop. On each list, have a reoccuring task to make one pass through one of the other lists. EG: On the Home List, have "One pass through Coffee Shop List" and "One pass through Work List". Do the same for the other two lists. Therefore, if you're sitting in the Coffee Shop, you could make one pass through the Home List and action whatever needs to be done from there that you can handle in the Coffee Shop. Of course, you'd only do this if you feel you're caught up enough on Coffee Shop stuff, or there's something drawng you to the Home List.
I did this with standard FV, and it worked well for me. I don't know how it would work with this JN system - but that's my best answer...
I did this with standard FV, and it worked well for me. I don't know how it would work with this JN system - but that's my best answer...
December 9, 2013 at 22:08 |
Miracle
Miracle
I use Nozbe which handles contexts as tags - this allows me to have each task in all the contexts where they are doable...
December 16, 2013 at 16:10 |
Christian G.
Christian G.
I'm always curious how people integrate Mark's rules/systems into their life. In this case, would you start with your AF list first thing in the AM. Do you earmark certain times of the day for AF? Looking forward to some of your responses.