Discussion Forum > What do/don't you need from a productivity system?
I need a productivity system to be a complete capture of everything I need to do. I need it to be portable and simple.
I don't need it to take notes, be electronic ie online
Gerry
I don't need it to take notes, be electronic ie online
Gerry
March 15, 2015 at 22:12 |
Gerry
Gerry
@Gerry perfect !
March 16, 2015 at 8:53 |
jupiter
jupiter
Simplicity – there should be little or no system overhead
Drawing Power – it should draw you into your work and overcome procrastination and resistance.
Thoroughness – it should encourage work to completion.
Self-Limiting – it should restrict you to what you can actually do in the time you have available during the course of the day. It should not result in long lists of undone work, half-done projects or backlogs. Instead it should require you to consider carefully how many commitments you are actually able to find time for.
Some Additional requirements:
- Basic daily routines should be under control
- Tasks should be actioned quickly and systematically
- Big projects should be given adequate time.
Drawing Power – it should draw you into your work and overcome procrastination and resistance.
Thoroughness – it should encourage work to completion.
Self-Limiting – it should restrict you to what you can actually do in the time you have available during the course of the day. It should not result in long lists of undone work, half-done projects or backlogs. Instead it should require you to consider carefully how many commitments you are actually able to find time for.
Some Additional requirements:
- Basic daily routines should be under control
- Tasks should be actioned quickly and systematically
- Big projects should be given adequate time.
March 16, 2015 at 10:56 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Gerry:
That's just a list of tasks on paper, right? After you have your paper list, what would you want to see (besides simplicity and universal capture) in the productivity system that interacts with your list?
That's just a list of tasks on paper, right? After you have your paper list, what would you want to see (besides simplicity and universal capture) in the productivity system that interacts with your list?
March 16, 2015 at 17:06 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Mark:
These come closest to fulfilling your requirements, but I haven't spotted one that fulfills all of them:
3T:
http://www.markforster.net/blog/2010/11/4/live-demo-tomorrow-november-5.html
SMEMA:
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2013/3/7/the-simplest-and-most-effective-method-of-all.html
DIT:
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/markforstthet-21/detail/0340909129
These come closest to fulfilling your requirements, but I haven't spotted one that fulfills all of them:
3T:
http://www.markforster.net/blog/2010/11/4/live-demo-tomorrow-november-5.html
SMEMA:
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2013/3/7/the-simplest-and-most-effective-method-of-all.html
DIT:
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/markforstthet-21/detail/0340909129
March 16, 2015 at 17:26 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Good thoughts so far.
Gerry needs universal capture. Does anyone find that they don't need this and it just adds clutter?
Mark needs drawing power, i.e, motivation from following the rules of the system itself. His systems have included this motivation in various ways: structured procrastination, psychological readiness, the closed list effect, etc. Has anyone found that they don't need drawing power and, in fact, prefer that the system provide only the organization and not the motivation?
One thing I'm also curious about is whether others find that they need their system to tell them in what order to do things, or what to work on next. Or do you need to be free to choose in the moment?
Do you need your system in order to remember things?
Gerry needs universal capture. Does anyone find that they don't need this and it just adds clutter?
Mark needs drawing power, i.e, motivation from following the rules of the system itself. His systems have included this motivation in various ways: structured procrastination, psychological readiness, the closed list effect, etc. Has anyone found that they don't need drawing power and, in fact, prefer that the system provide only the organization and not the motivation?
One thing I'm also curious about is whether others find that they need their system to tell them in what order to do things, or what to work on next. Or do you need to be free to choose in the moment?
Do you need your system in order to remember things?
March 16, 2015 at 17:58 |
Austin
Austin
Requirements:
• Portable, useable everywhere
• Helps one to think clearly, allows at least rudimentary planning
• "Grasscatcher", easily captures all tasks I need and want to do, no matter the nature of the task
What I don't need it to do:
• Choose tasks for me. It must be a system that empowers you and develops good habits and willpower.
• Portable, useable everywhere
• Helps one to think clearly, allows at least rudimentary planning
• "Grasscatcher", easily captures all tasks I need and want to do, no matter the nature of the task
What I don't need it to do:
• Choose tasks for me. It must be a system that empowers you and develops good habits and willpower.
March 16, 2015 at 18:38 |
nuntym
nuntym
@Austin
"One thing I'm also curious about is whether others find that they need their system to tell them in what order to do things, or what to work on next. Or do you need to be free to choose in the moment?"
This is actually a big thing for me, Austin. I need the system I am using to help me plan on how to do the tasks I am about to do, and I don't want it to tell me a specific order of tasks or to choose for me what tasks I am going to do. That is why I cannot stand FV, which imposes on me a specific order of things to do, or Randomizer, which initially was great for me but later gave me a feeling of resentment of not being able to choose which tasks I was going to do.
These are also the reasons I am still using CAF4 http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2446303 , which for me fulfills all of these. It lets me choose the tasks I want to do and plan on how to do them. It helps me do and manage my projects, which even up to now surprises me how well it does this.
"One thing I'm also curious about is whether others find that they need their system to tell them in what order to do things, or what to work on next. Or do you need to be free to choose in the moment?"
This is actually a big thing for me, Austin. I need the system I am using to help me plan on how to do the tasks I am about to do, and I don't want it to tell me a specific order of tasks or to choose for me what tasks I am going to do. That is why I cannot stand FV, which imposes on me a specific order of things to do, or Randomizer, which initially was great for me but later gave me a feeling of resentment of not being able to choose which tasks I was going to do.
These are also the reasons I am still using CAF4 http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2446303 , which for me fulfills all of these. It lets me choose the tasks I want to do and plan on how to do them. It helps me do and manage my projects, which even up to now surprises me how well it does this.
March 16, 2015 at 18:54 |
nuntym
nuntym
nuntym wrote:
<< It must be a system that empowers you and develops good habits and willpower. >>
I really like Mark's list, above.
But it occurs to me that I really don't want a system at all -- I just want the << good habits and willpower >>.
The systems and Oompa Loompas and everything can come and go, as long as *I* have habits of working with simplicity (reducing overhead and focusing on the results), flow (setting up my work so it draws me into it), drive my work to completion, don't overcommit or allow myself to get overwhelmed, I keep my basic routines under control, I get things done quickly and don't carry around backlogs, and make good progress on my big projects.
<< It must be a system that empowers you and develops good habits and willpower. >>
I really like Mark's list, above.
But it occurs to me that I really don't want a system at all -- I just want the << good habits and willpower >>.
The systems and Oompa Loompas and everything can come and go, as long as *I* have habits of working with simplicity (reducing overhead and focusing on the results), flow (setting up my work so it draws me into it), drive my work to completion, don't overcommit or allow myself to get overwhelmed, I keep my basic routines under control, I get things done quickly and don't carry around backlogs, and make good progress on my big projects.
March 17, 2015 at 1:49 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
Seraphim,
I am using system in a loose sense. It could mean a full-fledged system or it could just be the collection of tools you use, including calendars, reminder lists, project planning, etc.
I am using system in a loose sense. It could mean a full-fledged system or it could just be the collection of tools you use, including calendars, reminder lists, project planning, etc.
March 17, 2015 at 1:51 |
Austin
Austin
nuntym:
<< That is why I cannot stand FV, which imposes on me a specific order of things to do, or Randomizer, which initially was great for me but later gave me a feeling of resentment of not being able to choose which tasks I was going to do. >>
I can understand why you wouldn't like Randomizer since the whole point is not to let you choose what you do next. But FV? You are the one who chooses what to put in the list - only the first item is compulsory. The question is after all "What do I WANT to do before I do x?" (emphasis added).
Could you put a link in to CAF4. It helps people follow the discussion if they are new, or if (like me) their memory for acronyms is failing due to age.
<< That is why I cannot stand FV, which imposes on me a specific order of things to do, or Randomizer, which initially was great for me but later gave me a feeling of resentment of not being able to choose which tasks I was going to do. >>
I can understand why you wouldn't like Randomizer since the whole point is not to let you choose what you do next. But FV? You are the one who chooses what to put in the list - only the first item is compulsory. The question is after all "What do I WANT to do before I do x?" (emphasis added).
Could you put a link in to CAF4. It helps people follow the discussion if they are new, or if (like me) their memory for acronyms is failing due to age.
March 17, 2015 at 11:42 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Seraphim:
<<as long as *I* have habits of working... >>
Amen to that.
<<as long as *I* have habits of working... >>
Amen to that.
March 17, 2015 at 11:43 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
I like a system to be "tool agnostic" i e not tied to a particular planner software. For me half of the fun is to choose the tools and if I can't have that I don't want to try the system.
March 17, 2015 at 14:02 |
Christopher
Christopher
@Mark Forster,
"I can understand why you wouldn't like Randomizer since the whole point is not to let you choose what you do next. But FV? You are the one who chooses what to put in the list - only the first item is compulsory. The question is after all "What do I WANT to do before I do x?" (emphasis added)."
And that is the thing: "What do I want to do before x," just one pre-made criterion, where x is always above the next task, and the root task is always the oldest task in the list. Planning is quite limited because of these.
If the criteria for choosing tasks, the root task, and the order in which the tasks can be done are at the doer's discretion, then I can say that the system is not choosing tasks for me.
And sorry about that, here the link: http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2446303
"I can understand why you wouldn't like Randomizer since the whole point is not to let you choose what you do next. But FV? You are the one who chooses what to put in the list - only the first item is compulsory. The question is after all "What do I WANT to do before I do x?" (emphasis added)."
And that is the thing: "What do I want to do before x," just one pre-made criterion, where x is always above the next task, and the root task is always the oldest task in the list. Planning is quite limited because of these.
If the criteria for choosing tasks, the root task, and the order in which the tasks can be done are at the doer's discretion, then I can say that the system is not choosing tasks for me.
And sorry about that, here the link: http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2446303
March 17, 2015 at 15:31 |
nuntym
nuntym
@Seraphim,
"as long as *I* have habits of working..."
Exactly.
I remember one poster here mentioning that time/task management systems are like "crutches". They should help up develop willpower and good habits if we are lacking those.
The question is whether we should live the rest of our lives with crutches or should we wean ourselves of them.
"as long as *I* have habits of working..."
Exactly.
I remember one poster here mentioning that time/task management systems are like "crutches". They should help up develop willpower and good habits if we are lacking those.
The question is whether we should live the rest of our lives with crutches or should we wean ourselves of them.
March 17, 2015 at 15:38 |
nuntym
nuntym
Michael B
Michael, that is really it. After trying and designing a bunch of systems over the years, I find universal capture is a feature I need because I cannot rely on my mind to remember what I need to do. I find knowing I have a complete capture frees my mind to work better.
The actual tool I use now is simply one steno notebook. I use it because they are cheap portable and since I am left handed the spiral on top makes it easier to write in.
It is just a running list of action items I need to accomplish or things I am waiting for others to do for me.
I do not use a processing algorithm. I just simply flip through the notepad frequently and let my mind prioritize what to do next. When a page is completely done, I rip it out to reduce clutter.
I no longer keep notes in a separate notebook (I used to do this). I have started using single sheets of colored copier paper. When I take notes, they go in the project file they relate to. The color is so they stick out in files and I can find notes I have written quickly.
This is really the whole system if it can even be called a system.
For larger goals in life, I use a system I now call the Underground Guide to Success. I have given up on the idea for now that I can monetize it so it can be read for free here. If you paid for it, I owe you a beer if you ever make it to southern California.
http://undergroundguidetosuccess.blogspot.com/
Good luck
Gerry
Michael, that is really it. After trying and designing a bunch of systems over the years, I find universal capture is a feature I need because I cannot rely on my mind to remember what I need to do. I find knowing I have a complete capture frees my mind to work better.
The actual tool I use now is simply one steno notebook. I use it because they are cheap portable and since I am left handed the spiral on top makes it easier to write in.
It is just a running list of action items I need to accomplish or things I am waiting for others to do for me.
I do not use a processing algorithm. I just simply flip through the notepad frequently and let my mind prioritize what to do next. When a page is completely done, I rip it out to reduce clutter.
I no longer keep notes in a separate notebook (I used to do this). I have started using single sheets of colored copier paper. When I take notes, they go in the project file they relate to. The color is so they stick out in files and I can find notes I have written quickly.
This is really the whole system if it can even be called a system.
For larger goals in life, I use a system I now call the Underground Guide to Success. I have given up on the idea for now that I can monetize it so it can be read for free here. If you paid for it, I owe you a beer if you ever make it to southern California.
http://undergroundguidetosuccess.blogspot.com/
Good luck
Gerry
March 17, 2015 at 16:33 |
Gerry
Gerry
nuntym:
<< I remember one poster here mentioning that time/task management systems are like "crutches". They should help up develop willpower and good habits if we are lacking those. >>
My own experience is that almost any time management system will produce willpower and good habits provided that one sticks to it for a good period of time. Changing systems is like changing the type of exercise you are doing from running to weightlifting and then to yoga and then back to running - you're never going to get fit that way. Even worse is giving up on exercise altogether.
<< The question is whether we should live the rest of our lives with crutches or should we wean ourselves of them. >>
You need crutches for as long as you need crutches. Once one has internalized the willpower and good habits you will find you don't need the system any longer. Having stuck with your own system for a good long time now, you appear to be reaching this point. But if one gives up on systems before one reaches that point, it's not going to work.
<< I remember one poster here mentioning that time/task management systems are like "crutches". They should help up develop willpower and good habits if we are lacking those. >>
My own experience is that almost any time management system will produce willpower and good habits provided that one sticks to it for a good period of time. Changing systems is like changing the type of exercise you are doing from running to weightlifting and then to yoga and then back to running - you're never going to get fit that way. Even worse is giving up on exercise altogether.
<< The question is whether we should live the rest of our lives with crutches or should we wean ourselves of them. >>
You need crutches for as long as you need crutches. Once one has internalized the willpower and good habits you will find you don't need the system any longer. Having stuck with your own system for a good long time now, you appear to be reaching this point. But if one gives up on systems before one reaches that point, it's not going to work.
March 17, 2015 at 20:44 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Hi Mark
Doing many types of athletics will not prevent you from getting or staying fit. Unless you're power lifting and trying to swim competitively, for example, using different skill sets and types of energy usage is a good all round way of staying fit. Before I was disabled, I did many different sports in the same week. I liked the variety. Even if I was rehearsing for a competition, I still enjoyed different sports. If I run a few miles in the morning, water ski in the afternoon and dance at night, I can still run the next morning, maybe swim some laps, and play some soccer or basketball in the afternoon. That wouldn't stop me from going dancing that night. I think the variety of skills and difference types and levels of competition and mastery building kept me interested in sports all of my life. Same with seasons. The outdoor sports I engage in during winter are going to be quite different than the outdoor sports the summer offers. As I said, if you're not building opposing muscle sets, there's no harm.....but a lot of challenge and fun!
As usual, everybody's different.
Doing many types of athletics will not prevent you from getting or staying fit. Unless you're power lifting and trying to swim competitively, for example, using different skill sets and types of energy usage is a good all round way of staying fit. Before I was disabled, I did many different sports in the same week. I liked the variety. Even if I was rehearsing for a competition, I still enjoyed different sports. If I run a few miles in the morning, water ski in the afternoon and dance at night, I can still run the next morning, maybe swim some laps, and play some soccer or basketball in the afternoon. That wouldn't stop me from going dancing that night. I think the variety of skills and difference types and levels of competition and mastery building kept me interested in sports all of my life. Same with seasons. The outdoor sports I engage in during winter are going to be quite different than the outdoor sports the summer offers. As I said, if you're not building opposing muscle sets, there's no harm.....but a lot of challenge and fun!
As usual, everybody's different.
March 18, 2015 at 2:06 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
Hi all
I agree with Gerry in that I like to know what I need to do and what I want to do. I do it via my weekly version of Mark's DIT. I'm good at creating my Will Do list and thanks to Mark and this forum, I don't need to fret too much about high resistance.
Nuntym,
If you make your list, randomization helps immeasurably if you need a bit of help with resistance. What I do is create a sublist of a few items and add percentages. 40% chance of getting the most dreaded job (the reason for the randomization), 30% chance of another MIT on the will do list and 30% chance of choosing my work. Along with the Will do list, I always add a few other tasks and/or jobs that I want in my concerns. They can serve as relief tasks when I'm doing head banging work or work that I hate. The principles behind DIT are pure gold. Mark's resistance principle and the concept of using work arounds against the resistance is also pure gold but, little and often, is pure platinum! It's impossible to fail with these three principles of Mark's. The Will Do part gives me determination. The resistance tricks help with my stubborn refusal or overwhelm and the little and often wipes out any flimsy excuses not to keep starting until it's done. I'm not saying that it's easy. Like Mark says, "It's doable."
I agree with Gerry in that I like to know what I need to do and what I want to do. I do it via my weekly version of Mark's DIT. I'm good at creating my Will Do list and thanks to Mark and this forum, I don't need to fret too much about high resistance.
Nuntym,
If you make your list, randomization helps immeasurably if you need a bit of help with resistance. What I do is create a sublist of a few items and add percentages. 40% chance of getting the most dreaded job (the reason for the randomization), 30% chance of another MIT on the will do list and 30% chance of choosing my work. Along with the Will do list, I always add a few other tasks and/or jobs that I want in my concerns. They can serve as relief tasks when I'm doing head banging work or work that I hate. The principles behind DIT are pure gold. Mark's resistance principle and the concept of using work arounds against the resistance is also pure gold but, little and often, is pure platinum! It's impossible to fail with these three principles of Mark's. The Will Do part gives me determination. The resistance tricks help with my stubborn refusal or overwhelm and the little and often wipes out any flimsy excuses not to keep starting until it's done. I'm not saying that it's easy. Like Mark says, "It's doable."
March 18, 2015 at 2:16 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
p.s.
I think that one of the best things I learned here is not to fret when I find that I've veered off course. Whether it was purely because of brain damage or clever, subconscious avoidance doesn't really matter. The Will Do list is there to reassert my determination. If there's no resistance, I simply proceed as usual. If there's resistance, then I combine little and often and any resistance work around. It may sound silly but I feel more confidence knowing that I can redirect my efforts when I've gone astray than trying to do it correctly all the time. I'm fallible to say the least. There's no loss of pride in getting back on the horse. "Cowboy up!" I'd never be foolish enough to expect myself never to falter. What I don't expect is to give up because I went off course and then blow it off because I screwed up. That would failure! Mark has given us a fail proof system as long as we keep at it one way or the other. Thanks, Mark.
I think that one of the best things I learned here is not to fret when I find that I've veered off course. Whether it was purely because of brain damage or clever, subconscious avoidance doesn't really matter. The Will Do list is there to reassert my determination. If there's no resistance, I simply proceed as usual. If there's resistance, then I combine little and often and any resistance work around. It may sound silly but I feel more confidence knowing that I can redirect my efforts when I've gone astray than trying to do it correctly all the time. I'm fallible to say the least. There's no loss of pride in getting back on the horse. "Cowboy up!" I'd never be foolish enough to expect myself never to falter. What I don't expect is to give up because I went off course and then blow it off because I screwed up. That would failure! Mark has given us a fail proof system as long as we keep at it one way or the other. Thanks, Mark.
March 18, 2015 at 2:47 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
Learning:
<< Doing many types of athletics will not prevent you from getting or staying fit. Unless you're power lifting and trying to swim competitively, for example, using different skill sets and types of energy usage is a good all round way of staying fit. >>
You are of course right, but I wasn't clear enough about what I meant. I was referring to someone who decides to get fit and starts up running with great enthusiasm and after a few weeks gets bored with it and switches to weightlifting. They they get bored with weightlifting and switch to yoga. And so on.
<< Doing many types of athletics will not prevent you from getting or staying fit. Unless you're power lifting and trying to swim competitively, for example, using different skill sets and types of energy usage is a good all round way of staying fit. >>
You are of course right, but I wasn't clear enough about what I meant. I was referring to someone who decides to get fit and starts up running with great enthusiasm and after a few weeks gets bored with it and switches to weightlifting. They they get bored with weightlifting and switch to yoga. And so on.
March 18, 2015 at 10:28 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Hi Mark
LOL! Boredom can be a killer of most any endeavor.
Nuntym
Maybe for some people, instead of thinking of it as a temporary crutch, it might be more helpful to think of it as a prosthetic devise. A guy wearing a prosthetic arm or wearing glasses to correct his vision can make do in life without them. On the other hand, using these devises helps immeasurably to increase their quality of life. There's nothing "wrong" with using prosthetic devises to help yourself live better. In fact, for many, it's a blessing. Once again, thank you, Mark!
LOL! Boredom can be a killer of most any endeavor.
Nuntym
Maybe for some people, instead of thinking of it as a temporary crutch, it might be more helpful to think of it as a prosthetic devise. A guy wearing a prosthetic arm or wearing glasses to correct his vision can make do in life without them. On the other hand, using these devises helps immeasurably to increase their quality of life. There's nothing "wrong" with using prosthetic devises to help yourself live better. In fact, for many, it's a blessing. Once again, thank you, Mark!
March 18, 2015 at 13:02 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
opps....device, not devise.
March 18, 2015 at 13:05 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
Learning:
<< LOL! Boredom can be a killer of most any endeavor. >>
I think the ability to work through boredom is one of the most important disciplines we need to learn if we want to be productive.
"Be boring and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work." Gustave Flaubert
<< LOL! Boredom can be a killer of most any endeavor. >>
I think the ability to work through boredom is one of the most important disciplines we need to learn if we want to be productive.
"Be boring and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work." Gustave Flaubert
March 18, 2015 at 17:43 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
nuntym:
"I remember one poster here mentioning that time/task management systems are like "crutches"."
... I find that thinking puzzling. A system of any kind is simply a standard operating procedure. A consistent way of doing something. Your approach has been fine-tuned so the results you want show up consistently and efficiently, and not just once in a while. If time management systems and other standardized approaches are crutches, our entire world runs on crutches. And I'm glad it does.
"They should help up develop willpower and good habits if we are lacking those."
... Agreed. Slow, perfect repetition of a sequence, system, method, or approach builds consistent habits and lowers resistance as you gain confidence in your skills and your systems. Lack of willpower is lack of confidence in your systems and skills to get the job done efficiently. Developing better systems develops better skills which develops more willpower. You internalize what you can (principles, rules, sequences) and externalize what you can't (critical checklists, lists, new standard operating procedures etc.). Speed of execution and efficiency follow automatically as you practice accurately.
"The question is whether we should live the rest of our lives with crutches or should we wean ourselves of them."
... If that's the question, the answer is we should live the rest of our lives with crutches. But that's not the question I would ask. I would ask:
"How can we standardize our approach to our life management in a way that allows us to keep all of our commitments while not building our resistance; is sustainable, easy to use, teachable, and uses the fewest easily-available resources as possible? And after we have a working system, where is it lacking and how can we improve that in the simplest way possible?"
"I remember one poster here mentioning that time/task management systems are like "crutches"."
... I find that thinking puzzling. A system of any kind is simply a standard operating procedure. A consistent way of doing something. Your approach has been fine-tuned so the results you want show up consistently and efficiently, and not just once in a while. If time management systems and other standardized approaches are crutches, our entire world runs on crutches. And I'm glad it does.
"They should help up develop willpower and good habits if we are lacking those."
... Agreed. Slow, perfect repetition of a sequence, system, method, or approach builds consistent habits and lowers resistance as you gain confidence in your skills and your systems. Lack of willpower is lack of confidence in your systems and skills to get the job done efficiently. Developing better systems develops better skills which develops more willpower. You internalize what you can (principles, rules, sequences) and externalize what you can't (critical checklists, lists, new standard operating procedures etc.). Speed of execution and efficiency follow automatically as you practice accurately.
"The question is whether we should live the rest of our lives with crutches or should we wean ourselves of them."
... If that's the question, the answer is we should live the rest of our lives with crutches. But that's not the question I would ask. I would ask:
"How can we standardize our approach to our life management in a way that allows us to keep all of our commitments while not building our resistance; is sustainable, easy to use, teachable, and uses the fewest easily-available resources as possible? And after we have a working system, where is it lacking and how can we improve that in the simplest way possible?"
March 18, 2015 at 20:00 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Michael B:
I agree with you 100 per cent.
I agree with you 100 per cent.
March 18, 2015 at 20:49 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Hi Michael
Ideally, I agree 100% but it's not my wonderful system that needs improving (thanks to Mark). I am a flawed human being. No system can alter what's going on in my body or in my brain. I feel no shame in adding little and often and resistance work arounds to my operating procedure. Without learning these coping skills and tricks (thanks yet again to Mark and also the forum posters), I wouldn't have the confidence to create my will do lists plus many other things I also accomplish in the day. I'll further state that many days, the will do list is completed because of my resistance "prosthetic devices" and the determination that comes from drawing up a will do list.
There's nothing overall wrong with my character nor my working results. Since I was a child, I've always struggled with surmounting boredom. My teachers went so far as to segregate me from the rest of the class because of it. It did not stop me from getting superior marks in school. It never stopped me from doing a superior job in my career. I wish I didn't have the type of brain that creates such a struggle for me. On the other hand, this old lump of grey matter also serves me well in other areas. It's easier for me to not compare my methods to any ideal. I simply focus on getting my desired results no matter how ridiculous my work arounds may seem to others. I'm definitely not alone. Society calls it "artistic temperament" or ADHD or other assorted labels. I call it doing the best I can with what I am. There's no shame in that.
Ideally, I agree 100% but it's not my wonderful system that needs improving (thanks to Mark). I am a flawed human being. No system can alter what's going on in my body or in my brain. I feel no shame in adding little and often and resistance work arounds to my operating procedure. Without learning these coping skills and tricks (thanks yet again to Mark and also the forum posters), I wouldn't have the confidence to create my will do lists plus many other things I also accomplish in the day. I'll further state that many days, the will do list is completed because of my resistance "prosthetic devices" and the determination that comes from drawing up a will do list.
There's nothing overall wrong with my character nor my working results. Since I was a child, I've always struggled with surmounting boredom. My teachers went so far as to segregate me from the rest of the class because of it. It did not stop me from getting superior marks in school. It never stopped me from doing a superior job in my career. I wish I didn't have the type of brain that creates such a struggle for me. On the other hand, this old lump of grey matter also serves me well in other areas. It's easier for me to not compare my methods to any ideal. I simply focus on getting my desired results no matter how ridiculous my work arounds may seem to others. I'm definitely not alone. Society calls it "artistic temperament" or ADHD or other assorted labels. I call it doing the best I can with what I am. There's no shame in that.
March 18, 2015 at 22:25 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
p.s.
If you're creating or problem-solving, sometimes there is no standard operating procedure outside creating your hypothesis, running your experiments according to criteria set by other scientists in your field and evaluating your results and drawing conclusions. However, much of the actual thinking that is needed is definitely outside the box thinking. It could happen in your dreams, spontaneously while you're in the shower. Original thought isn't bound my facts and rules. It simply implements them as tools much like an artist manipulates paint on the canvas.
see AndreasE's new thread: All-consuming tasks. He's an international best selling author of science fiction. His writing technique may follow certain basic formulas for novel writing, but the content is his pure, unbridled imagination. His imagination guides his thoughts and writing. I can guess that he's not even aware of the passage of time when he's in the flow. He certainly isn't constricted by "operating procedures"......until maybe editing time. LOL!
Bottom line, imagination is required for problem-solving, planning for the future and creating anything. Trust me, there will be resistance. There's no "shoulds" about it. You just do what you need to do without worrying about it. If you meet resistance, you don't think "There shouldn't be any resistance." You just work around it. No judgements. Only results.
If you're creating or problem-solving, sometimes there is no standard operating procedure outside creating your hypothesis, running your experiments according to criteria set by other scientists in your field and evaluating your results and drawing conclusions. However, much of the actual thinking that is needed is definitely outside the box thinking. It could happen in your dreams, spontaneously while you're in the shower. Original thought isn't bound my facts and rules. It simply implements them as tools much like an artist manipulates paint on the canvas.
see AndreasE's new thread: All-consuming tasks. He's an international best selling author of science fiction. His writing technique may follow certain basic formulas for novel writing, but the content is his pure, unbridled imagination. His imagination guides his thoughts and writing. I can guess that he's not even aware of the passage of time when he's in the flow. He certainly isn't constricted by "operating procedures"......until maybe editing time. LOL!
Bottom line, imagination is required for problem-solving, planning for the future and creating anything. Trust me, there will be resistance. There's no "shoulds" about it. You just do what you need to do without worrying about it. If you meet resistance, you don't think "There shouldn't be any resistance." You just work around it. No judgements. Only results.
March 18, 2015 at 22:48 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
Learning:
In my new book (to which Andreas has kindly contributed a chapter on writing) I say that there is a hierarchy of routines and/or systems. If one doesn't get the low-level routines right, then that is going to impact on the high-level stuff. For instance a concert pianist who hasn't got their basic administration sorted out is going to find that their lack of organization will impact negatively on the higher level artistic work.
In my new book (to which Andreas has kindly contributed a chapter on writing) I say that there is a hierarchy of routines and/or systems. If one doesn't get the low-level routines right, then that is going to impact on the high-level stuff. For instance a concert pianist who hasn't got their basic administration sorted out is going to find that their lack of organization will impact negatively on the higher level artistic work.
March 18, 2015 at 22:59 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Hi Mark
I totally agree with that. Our basic habits are the structure of the day. I'm suggesting that resistance isn't always controllable via a system. I don't judge my system based on resistance I feel. I've been bypassing resistance since I started school. LOL! I've always preached to myself to keep my responsibilities current or slightly ahead so that I can create without worries tamping down my passion or imagination. I also like to stay current in case life offers a surprise opportunity. I'm simply stating that experiencing resistance doesn't necessarily reflect badly on my system. It doesn't even reflect badly on me as a person. It's only an emotional response to a stimulus. But you already know that. You are the leading expert on both the nature of resistance and how to bypass it and also encouraging a passionate life while meeting one's responsibilities. No other productivity guru comes even close to addressing these issues as intelligently as you do. Furthermore, your various principles and systems give proper attention to resistance. You know that we're not robots. We're people who experience resistance for many different reasons ranging form a visceral recoiling from boredom to approaching original work that's unknown to you when you embark on creating it. You truly understand us. That's why your knowledge and advice is so valuable.
I totally agree with that. Our basic habits are the structure of the day. I'm suggesting that resistance isn't always controllable via a system. I don't judge my system based on resistance I feel. I've been bypassing resistance since I started school. LOL! I've always preached to myself to keep my responsibilities current or slightly ahead so that I can create without worries tamping down my passion or imagination. I also like to stay current in case life offers a surprise opportunity. I'm simply stating that experiencing resistance doesn't necessarily reflect badly on my system. It doesn't even reflect badly on me as a person. It's only an emotional response to a stimulus. But you already know that. You are the leading expert on both the nature of resistance and how to bypass it and also encouraging a passionate life while meeting one's responsibilities. No other productivity guru comes even close to addressing these issues as intelligently as you do. Furthermore, your various principles and systems give proper attention to resistance. You know that we're not robots. We're people who experience resistance for many different reasons ranging form a visceral recoiling from boredom to approaching original work that's unknown to you when you embark on creating it. You truly understand us. That's why your knowledge and advice is so valuable.
March 18, 2015 at 23:12 |
Learning as I go
Learning as I go
Michael B: I agree with Mark Forster, your answer was excellent. Most satisfying answer I have seen, actually, about that question that has been bugging me for quite some time.
March 27, 2015 at 7:02 |
nuntym
nuntym
2. What don't you really need it to do?
I thought it would be interesting to see how our answers compare and contrast.