Discussion Forum > Please Explain a No List System
Gerry:
No, it's not a matter of using one's memory to decide what to do next. It's a matter of using one's brain to decide what to do next. It's not primarily an exercise in memory; it's an exercise in your knowing what the important things in your life and work are and getting on with them.
Although it's called "no-list" it's usual (but not essential) to work with a short buffer of not more than five tasks.
These two blog postings should help you to understand further.
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2016/2/12/what-is-a-no-list-system.html
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2016/2/10/effect-on-the-brain.html
No, it's not a matter of using one's memory to decide what to do next. It's a matter of using one's brain to decide what to do next. It's not primarily an exercise in memory; it's an exercise in your knowing what the important things in your life and work are and getting on with them.
Although it's called "no-list" it's usual (but not essential) to work with a short buffer of not more than five tasks.
These two blog postings should help you to understand further.
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2016/2/12/what-is-a-no-list-system.html
http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2016/2/10/effect-on-the-brain.html
March 21, 2016 at 16:12 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark,
Thanks for the links. But, in reality when we are deciding what to do next, we are selecting the item from a list which may exist on paper or in our brain unless of course the task just came into existence like your boss just walked into your office and asked you to do something.
I personally do not mind having a "catch all" list as I like the idea of not having to remember things, it creates too much drain on me.
This just may not be the system for me, but glad if it is working for others.
Gerry
Thanks for the links. But, in reality when we are deciding what to do next, we are selecting the item from a list which may exist on paper or in our brain unless of course the task just came into existence like your boss just walked into your office and asked you to do something.
I personally do not mind having a "catch all" list as I like the idea of not having to remember things, it creates too much drain on me.
This just may not be the system for me, but glad if it is working for others.
Gerry
March 21, 2016 at 16:47 |
Gerry
Gerry
Gerry:
<< iI personally do not mind having a "catch all" list as I like the idea of not having to remember things, it creates too much drain on me. >>
I think most people's experience is that having a massive list with more things on it than you can possibly do is pretty draining too. And those who have converted to a "no-list" approach seem to be claiming that they forget to do less things than with the catch-all approach.
However if you are happier with a catch-all list then stick with it.
<< iI personally do not mind having a "catch all" list as I like the idea of not having to remember things, it creates too much drain on me. >>
I think most people's experience is that having a massive list with more things on it than you can possibly do is pretty draining too. And those who have converted to a "no-list" approach seem to be claiming that they forget to do less things than with the catch-all approach.
However if you are happier with a catch-all list then stick with it.
March 21, 2016 at 19:34 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark, Gerry,
I am still struggling with this. I think we are essentially shifting the question from "which task should I do next?" to "what task should I do next?". The inputs are necessarily more complex than a simple list of predefined candidates. They will include:
- feelings about which of our commitments are at risk (or which are opportunities for overdelivery)
- recognised opportunities
- upcoming deadlines
- energy levels
- who and what is available to help
- level of challenge
- level of fun
- perceived resistance
- perceived attraction.
...
The goal is more to support focus on individual tasks than to ensure that you get through as many of the right tasks as possible.
For me, the jury is out. I slightly worry that without more guidance on which tasks to select, we will be at risk from all of the well known biases and dysfunctional heuristics. But I am still questioning, thinking and learning.
I am still struggling with this. I think we are essentially shifting the question from "which task should I do next?" to "what task should I do next?". The inputs are necessarily more complex than a simple list of predefined candidates. They will include:
- feelings about which of our commitments are at risk (or which are opportunities for overdelivery)
- recognised opportunities
- upcoming deadlines
- energy levels
- who and what is available to help
- level of challenge
- level of fun
- perceived resistance
- perceived attraction.
...
The goal is more to support focus on individual tasks than to ensure that you get through as many of the right tasks as possible.
For me, the jury is out. I slightly worry that without more guidance on which tasks to select, we will be at risk from all of the well known biases and dysfunctional heuristics. But I am still questioning, thinking and learning.
March 24, 2016 at 13:38 |
Will
Will
Will,
Interesting question. For me the issue is universal capture or not. For me, the idea that a list exists somewhere with all of what must be done is comforting not overwhelming since I know I have a poor memory. It would be massively distracting for me to wonder if I will remember that something needs to be done as opposed to knowing that even if I forget the list has it.
I do think that some type of filtering system to "match" the amount of work to a time frame to complete it is good. So it seems to me that the unit of a day or even an hour and selecting the amount of work and even listing it can be helpful. But, I also firmly believe that only we can actually select the next task that needs to be done and no system actually selects it for us unless that system is a random one - like rolling dice or pulling from a hat.
Interesting question. For me the issue is universal capture or not. For me, the idea that a list exists somewhere with all of what must be done is comforting not overwhelming since I know I have a poor memory. It would be massively distracting for me to wonder if I will remember that something needs to be done as opposed to knowing that even if I forget the list has it.
I do think that some type of filtering system to "match" the amount of work to a time frame to complete it is good. So it seems to me that the unit of a day or even an hour and selecting the amount of work and even listing it can be helpful. But, I also firmly believe that only we can actually select the next task that needs to be done and no system actually selects it for us unless that system is a random one - like rolling dice or pulling from a hat.
March 24, 2016 at 15:41 |
Gerry
Gerry
Gerry,
I suppose the key difference here is that with a no-list system, you only capture things that relate to your commitments in some way.
You can still have accumulating lists relating to your commitments. but they support your attention focus system rather than driving it.
I suppose the key difference here is that with a no-list system, you only capture things that relate to your commitments in some way.
You can still have accumulating lists relating to your commitments. but they support your attention focus system rather than driving it.
March 24, 2016 at 16:34 |
Will
Will
From Will's list, I found the FVP was particularly good at this (the first two being about acting at the most opportune time, including when someone is available that you need to talk to, etc.):
- recognised opportunities
- who and what is available to help
- perceived attraction (with the question "what do I want to do more than X?"
At least, if you remember something you needed to ask someone while you are reviewing your list while they are nearby.
- recognised opportunities
- who and what is available to help
- perceived attraction (with the question "what do I want to do more than X?"
At least, if you remember something you needed to ask someone while you are reviewing your list while they are nearby.
March 24, 2016 at 19:41 |
Don R
Don R
What I found since moving away from a catch all list to a no list is the following:
- I am lot more engaged in what I am doing
- More clarity on what I am currently busy with
- More deliberate in starting something new
- Not being a chained to me to do list
- Can visualize what I need to do the next day/week
- Building trust in your own intuition and not relying on a list
My advice is to do jump in and try it out for 2 weeks. Only then can you experience the liberating effect. You need to experience it for yourself and not overthink it.
- I am lot more engaged in what I am doing
- More clarity on what I am currently busy with
- More deliberate in starting something new
- Not being a chained to me to do list
- Can visualize what I need to do the next day/week
- Building trust in your own intuition and not relying on a list
My advice is to do jump in and try it out for 2 weeks. Only then can you experience the liberating effect. You need to experience it for yourself and not overthink it.
March 24, 2016 at 20:28 |
Nico
Nico
Isn't a true no list system just that, using one's memory to decide what to do next without looking at a list of possibilities?
Thanks
Gerry