Discussion Forum > L&O Accountability Grid, Daily, with Mini-Diary and Excuse Log
I used to include eating each meal. That helped me when I was time-logging. Eating took more time than I thought. However, I never forget to eat, so don't need that as a reminder. (Eating veggies every day, though, is worth a field. Carrots make an ok bedtime snack.)
July 6, 2017 at 18:20 |
Cricket

This is timely for me. I was using a daily checklist. The list was no longer than 1 page with 1 entry per line. Then I fit as many days on the page as I could, until I wanted to rewrite the list or ran out of room (to update what was on the list). I would use a dot for completed and/or not-applicable today items, or F for failed.
I started using the system from nuntym's "Combining and Improving on DWM2 and FAF" post at http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2677931 and I moved the checklist to being items in the list, however there are several disadvantages for moving the daily checklist into an autofocus style list for me. (Rewriting, flipping pages constantly, not having a clear view of whether I'm being consistent, losing items somehow [forgot to rewrite?], forgetting to do some daily items for a couple days.)
So I was planning on adding a daily checklist to that system, and doing it your way would be an improvement on that as well!
MrBacklog mentioned that he also has a daily checklist that he moves forward through his list on a post-it note.
In terms of logistics, I found that having the checklist in its own dedicated notebook which always lays open on a horizontal surface works best. Page flipping for something so frequently updated and referred to is annoyingly slow. Using a pencil might be even better because I wouldn't have to remove and replace the cap on the pen all the time.
I started using the system from nuntym's "Combining and Improving on DWM2 and FAF" post at http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2677931 and I moved the checklist to being items in the list, however there are several disadvantages for moving the daily checklist into an autofocus style list for me. (Rewriting, flipping pages constantly, not having a clear view of whether I'm being consistent, losing items somehow [forgot to rewrite?], forgetting to do some daily items for a couple days.)
So I was planning on adding a daily checklist to that system, and doing it your way would be an improvement on that as well!
MrBacklog mentioned that he also has a daily checklist that he moves forward through his list on a post-it note.
In terms of logistics, I found that having the checklist in its own dedicated notebook which always lays open on a horizontal surface works best. Page flipping for something so frequently updated and referred to is annoyingly slow. Using a pencil might be even better because I wouldn't have to remove and replace the cap on the pen all the time.
July 7, 2017 at 18:24 |
Don R

Sorry it was actually Dino who mentioned a post-it with a daily checklist. http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2676829
July 7, 2017 at 18:32 |
Don R

Cricket:
Any chance you can post a pic of your list? That'd help me see what you're doing!
Any chance you can post a pic of your list? That'd help me see what you're doing!
July 8, 2017 at 18:40 |
Tommy

Don, Much as I hate having two active books on my desk, I'm beginning to agree with you. I did it for a bit, then thought, "Inefficient!" and stopped.
Try leaving room for more than F-Failure. The built-in excuse log is incredibly useful. It helped me stop making excuses for some things, change systems so other things got done more often, and, this week, convinced me that the reason was I was too drained rather than too lazy.
Tommy, none of my lists are suitable for pics right now. I'll create something.
Try leaving room for more than F-Failure. The built-in excuse log is incredibly useful. It helped me stop making excuses for some things, change systems so other things got done more often, and, this week, convinced me that the reason was I was too drained rather than too lazy.
Tommy, none of my lists are suitable for pics right now. I'll create something.
July 14, 2017 at 20:47 |
Cricket

Here's a picture. A lot of it is codes. The charts aren't intended to be read by others. Most of the benefit is in the doing, not analyzing weeks later.
http://cricketb.wordpress.com/2017/07/14/daily-task-excuse-grid/
Password is "mf".
That week I experimented with a schedule, for appointments and a rough plan. I have mixed results with that method. I tend to be too optimistic and overwhelm it.
The next line is hrs apts, meaning hours away from home due to appointments. Looking at that often turns "too lazy" to "no time", which has a very different solution. Open circle means I wanted to highlight it as not done (often to remind me to do it the next day). One of the excuses is "tired, run?" wondering if I should not plan to do as much on the days I run. Ex is excercise. (Common excuse is Rain or Heat. Solution A: Get up earlier (nope, didn't work). Solution B: Treadmill (worked))
It also shows my ambivalence about knitting and meditation. I know they're good for me, but in the moment they feel like a waste of time. My current knitting project also requires concentration. Res means resisted. Focus means I didn't think I could focus enough to do the work (without making too many mistakes). Wednesday I tried, and make a mistake (that I didn't notice until the next week, so I had to pull out several hours of work). FB/MF means hours on FaceBook and here. Too many hours could be a cause of less progress elsewhere, or a sign that I need a break. Pocket/Feedly is a reading backlog, with a goal of 50 items per day, which I met. Untangled is a non-fiction library book I was stalling on. "Long" is because I hoped to do one long session each day, but didn't specify which in advance. Near the end of the week, I kept fewer notes.
http://cricketb.wordpress.com/2017/07/14/daily-task-excuse-grid/
Password is "mf".
That week I experimented with a schedule, for appointments and a rough plan. I have mixed results with that method. I tend to be too optimistic and overwhelm it.
The next line is hrs apts, meaning hours away from home due to appointments. Looking at that often turns "too lazy" to "no time", which has a very different solution. Open circle means I wanted to highlight it as not done (often to remind me to do it the next day). One of the excuses is "tired, run?" wondering if I should not plan to do as much on the days I run. Ex is excercise. (Common excuse is Rain or Heat. Solution A: Get up earlier (nope, didn't work). Solution B: Treadmill (worked))
It also shows my ambivalence about knitting and meditation. I know they're good for me, but in the moment they feel like a waste of time. My current knitting project also requires concentration. Res means resisted. Focus means I didn't think I could focus enough to do the work (without making too many mistakes). Wednesday I tried, and make a mistake (that I didn't notice until the next week, so I had to pull out several hours of work). FB/MF means hours on FaceBook and here. Too many hours could be a cause of less progress elsewhere, or a sign that I need a break. Pocket/Feedly is a reading backlog, with a goal of 50 items per day, which I met. Untangled is a non-fiction library book I was stalling on. "Long" is because I hoped to do one long session each day, but didn't specify which in advance. Near the end of the week, I kept fewer notes.
July 14, 2017 at 21:41 |
Cricket

Thanks for posting yours. I just completed 1 week using the grid. (Along with a D2WM list *a la* nuntym.) I was on vacation at home this week so it was purely home stuff. Funny coincidence that last night I also had the thought of circling the missed spots. Instead I just wrote "no". I'm not very good at coming up with the excuses.
Day 1 nothing missed (I used ideas from that day for what to put on the grid). Day 2 I "forgot" one thing and didn't have time for two other because I spent a lot of the day on a big project. Day 3 I "forgot" something important and then two were from being "too busy", and I skipped workout because I had "no plan".
Day 4 was good except for workout because I had "no plan / time" again. On days 5-7 I've been reading a book about getting in shape to get a plan. Since we're back on day 1 I will probably at least work the same exercises I did last week.
Day 5 I got a call from a creditor that I had forgotten about from 5 years ago. So days 5-6 were stressful straightening that out. Fortunately I had lots of free time to address it. I missed 3 things on day 5: "being lazy/stressed", "just not doing stuff", and "not doing stuff/call from [creditor]".
Day 6, "busy day" x 6 items.
Day 7, I simply wrote "no" on 2 items.
Now if you look at trends across different types of items, there is something worth considering. There are things I would do anyway (weigh in, get ready [shower, get dressed, etc]) which don't necessarily need to even be on the list. There are things I would do as needed although it's nice to be reminded to consider it (take out the garbage/recycling, laundry). Things that I would normally do less often but I have seen benefits doing it every day instead (check my bank balances and transactions). Establishing new habits (brush teeth before bed).
The things that I have been simply saying "no" or "too busy" to are related to cleaning up messy areas that I normally procrastinate on. For example, "make bed" is on my list even though I don't care that much. I have "clear breakfast bar" (a horizontal surface which is centrally located and 3.5 feet off the ground, so it is convenient for keeping keys and wallet and keeping open my notebooks and checklists); it tends to attract all kinds of items like a magnet. Also a task to go through old boxes in which I have thrown items into ("work on 'time capsules'").
I could easily find time for the missing cleanup-related tasks by doing those instead of youtube/Reddit time.
Day 1 nothing missed (I used ideas from that day for what to put on the grid). Day 2 I "forgot" one thing and didn't have time for two other because I spent a lot of the day on a big project. Day 3 I "forgot" something important and then two were from being "too busy", and I skipped workout because I had "no plan".
Day 4 was good except for workout because I had "no plan / time" again. On days 5-7 I've been reading a book about getting in shape to get a plan. Since we're back on day 1 I will probably at least work the same exercises I did last week.
Day 5 I got a call from a creditor that I had forgotten about from 5 years ago. So days 5-6 were stressful straightening that out. Fortunately I had lots of free time to address it. I missed 3 things on day 5: "being lazy/stressed", "just not doing stuff", and "not doing stuff/call from [creditor]".
Day 6, "busy day" x 6 items.
Day 7, I simply wrote "no" on 2 items.
Now if you look at trends across different types of items, there is something worth considering. There are things I would do anyway (weigh in, get ready [shower, get dressed, etc]) which don't necessarily need to even be on the list. There are things I would do as needed although it's nice to be reminded to consider it (take out the garbage/recycling, laundry). Things that I would normally do less often but I have seen benefits doing it every day instead (check my bank balances and transactions). Establishing new habits (brush teeth before bed).
The things that I have been simply saying "no" or "too busy" to are related to cleaning up messy areas that I normally procrastinate on. For example, "make bed" is on my list even though I don't care that much. I have "clear breakfast bar" (a horizontal surface which is centrally located and 3.5 feet off the ground, so it is convenient for keeping keys and wallet and keeping open my notebooks and checklists); it tends to attract all kinds of items like a magnet. Also a task to go through old boxes in which I have thrown items into ("work on 'time capsules'").
I could easily find time for the missing cleanup-related tasks by doing those instead of youtube/Reddit time.
July 15, 2017 at 16:29 |
Don R

I forgot to mention a few notation enhancements I've adopted. I draw boxes for some items to make them like checklists, and multiple boxes if there are multiple items in the same grid spot.
Also to make it easier to see what's not done yet, I draw a right border on the grid boxes for completed items. The lines connect up with each other as adjacent areas are completed. It's similar to how Mark and many of us connect lines between crossed out items on the left side of a normal autofocus type of list.
Also to make it easier to see what's not done yet, I draw a right border on the grid boxes for completed items. The lines connect up with each other as adjacent areas are completed. It's similar to how Mark and many of us connect lines between crossed out items on the left side of a normal autofocus type of list.
July 15, 2017 at 16:34 |
Don R

I find even things I always do need to be on the grid because :
1. Habits that I've held for years sometimes drop silently. This includes things that I have evidence of doing regularly, like running logs and pill organizers that empty on schedule.
2. When I look back at the day and say I didn't do anything, I can look at the routine things I did do and feel better, which helps break the inertia.
3. When I go to check them off, I see the other things in the list.
4. Making groups of checkmarks reinforces the group as a single habit.
+++
I have several rooms like your breakfast bar. My goal is "one day, plus one thing". So, everything that arrived in the last day gets dealt with, plus one more thing. That works surprisingly fast, and it's non-threatening. Doing it that often also forces me to look at the system. Why aren't I putting things in their official homes? Often, it's because the official homes are really bad places for them.
I find working on a few time capsules, one piece per capsule per day, works better than one at a time. In theory, it takes longer to get one done, but I find this way lowers resistance. One thing from that box A, doable, earn checkmark. And one thing from box B, doable, earn checkmark. Not too many boxes, though. That gets physically messy.
+++
Sometimes YouTube and Reddit time are distractions. Other times, I think they're a symptom. I deleted a video game from my tablet, and the next day downloaded (actually bought, not elibrary) three novels. (Currently, resisting packing for a week away.)
+++
Two weeks ago, I reversed the order when creating the chart. Instead of boring, routine stuff first, I put projects and resisted things first. Successful experiment, in that I learned something, but I won't be repeating it. I had hoped it would put pressure on those things, but instead it broke a successful pattern of starting the day with small routine physical work.
1. Habits that I've held for years sometimes drop silently. This includes things that I have evidence of doing regularly, like running logs and pill organizers that empty on schedule.
2. When I look back at the day and say I didn't do anything, I can look at the routine things I did do and feel better, which helps break the inertia.
3. When I go to check them off, I see the other things in the list.
4. Making groups of checkmarks reinforces the group as a single habit.
+++
I have several rooms like your breakfast bar. My goal is "one day, plus one thing". So, everything that arrived in the last day gets dealt with, plus one more thing. That works surprisingly fast, and it's non-threatening. Doing it that often also forces me to look at the system. Why aren't I putting things in their official homes? Often, it's because the official homes are really bad places for them.
I find working on a few time capsules, one piece per capsule per day, works better than one at a time. In theory, it takes longer to get one done, but I find this way lowers resistance. One thing from that box A, doable, earn checkmark. And one thing from box B, doable, earn checkmark. Not too many boxes, though. That gets physically messy.
+++
Sometimes YouTube and Reddit time are distractions. Other times, I think they're a symptom. I deleted a video game from my tablet, and the next day downloaded (actually bought, not elibrary) three novels. (Currently, resisting packing for a week away.)
+++
Two weeks ago, I reversed the order when creating the chart. Instead of boring, routine stuff first, I put projects and resisted things first. Successful experiment, in that I learned something, but I won't be repeating it. I had hoped it would put pressure on those things, but instead it broke a successful pattern of starting the day with small routine physical work.
July 17, 2017 at 1:32 |
Cricket

First day back after travelling, and I'm very happy with this system.
I often feel overwhelmed after travelling. This morning, I couldn't even sit down and create the grid for the week. Yep, feeling of overwhelm way out of proportion to reality. Normally, I look forward to planning, since I know it helps me relax and focus. Setting up the computer was even more overwhelming.
But! I had internalized much of the routine, and believed it was worth the time to continue, even things I often put off as not urgent, such as self-care (meditation and journal) and "day plus one" for each room. Those things are important, and I knew nothing on the computer had to be done before lunch.
So, to work, taking advantage of flow, and roughly alternating short and long, physical and sitting.
Two hours later, I have journalled, meditated, unpacked (that was the +1 for two rooms), and done "1 day +1 thing" everywhere. When I finally made the grid,1/3 of it was already done. When I checked my recurring tasks page, I had done everything that didn't need a computer. Even better, I had not spent any time on distractions.
So, the grid, and the focus on small wins, is a good training tool. I don't see myself graduating from it--I need the safety net--but I do see an improvement in how I work when it's not available.
I often feel overwhelmed after travelling. This morning, I couldn't even sit down and create the grid for the week. Yep, feeling of overwhelm way out of proportion to reality. Normally, I look forward to planning, since I know it helps me relax and focus. Setting up the computer was even more overwhelming.
But! I had internalized much of the routine, and believed it was worth the time to continue, even things I often put off as not urgent, such as self-care (meditation and journal) and "day plus one" for each room. Those things are important, and I knew nothing on the computer had to be done before lunch.
So, to work, taking advantage of flow, and roughly alternating short and long, physical and sitting.
Two hours later, I have journalled, meditated, unpacked (that was the +1 for two rooms), and done "1 day +1 thing" everywhere. When I finally made the grid,1/3 of it was already done. When I checked my recurring tasks page, I had done everything that didn't need a computer. Even better, I had not spent any time on distractions.
So, the grid, and the focus on small wins, is a good training tool. I don't see myself graduating from it--I need the safety net--but I do see an improvement in how I work when it's not available.
July 24, 2017 at 19:58 |
Cricket

I reduced the number of items in this week's grid to 8 items (removed anything I wasn't doing regularly, in the spirit of "Delete" step from RAF, and a few things that I could do as needed instead of being daily). Then I realized yesterday I could remove 4 MORE things that I would do anyway (I am already tracking 3 of those elsewhere, so it's duplicate), so now it's down to 4 daily checklist items. 3 of those I am getting a lot of use in enforcing a daily habit that I might forget but get use out of it being daily. 1 I probably don't need but I am on a roll. I also have the entry "checklist" on my RAF list (because I like to have whatever I am working on to be dotted on the RAF list).
July 25, 2017 at 21:22 |
Don R

I'm moving in the opposite direction, over 40 habits, inspired by Tiny Habits (BJ Fogg) and Habit Stacking
http://www.developgoodhabits.com/building-habit-stacking-routine/
Yes, I do need a checkmark for each habit in each stack. (I work better with check-do than do-check lists, especially if the order I do things in can't be predicted, such as if the kitchen is full, so I start the laundry before eating breakfast.)
Either way, having to write the reason I didn't do something helps. Monday, first day after vacation, I finished almost everything. Yesterday, I drove my MIL around all afternoon. Writing Appt 20 times was fine. Today? Unless I get a lot done in the next two hours, I get to write "good novel" 20 times. Tonight, I'll put the reader under my todo book, journal, and meditation log.
http://www.developgoodhabits.com/building-habit-stacking-routine/
Yes, I do need a checkmark for each habit in each stack. (I work better with check-do than do-check lists, especially if the order I do things in can't be predicted, such as if the kitchen is full, so I start the laundry before eating breakfast.)
Either way, having to write the reason I didn't do something helps. Monday, first day after vacation, I finished almost everything. Yesterday, I drove my MIL around all afternoon. Writing Appt 20 times was fine. Today? Unless I get a lot done in the next two hours, I get to write "good novel" 20 times. Tonight, I'll put the reader under my todo book, journal, and meditation log.
July 26, 2017 at 21:21 |
Cricket

After a terrible August, filled with computer problems, travels, and kids in transition, I'm happy to report that the daily grid reboots really well.
System review: Chart with many small tasks or projects I want to do daily. If I don't do something, I have to record why not. Only two projects get deep attention. All the rest are LAO (little-and-often). A new chart per week seems to work.
Once normal started again, I surprised myself. 80% of the tasks every day the first week! Mon and Tues this week were perfect, and I'm well on my way to a perfect Wed.
Flexibility in how much I do seems to work. By touching each project every day I break the back of the big ones, and remind myself of its status. I naturally do more on some projects some days, and other projects on other days. On beautiful days, I do more gardening. I know today's step in one project is nasty, so I conserve energy by doing less on everything else.
ADDITIONS
New type of week planning chart. I'll start another thread for that. On the same spread as the daily list. The catch-all also goes on the same spread.
Large stickies for projects with multiple steps. I plan to move them from week to week. I like listing small steps, so there's a lot of movement on these stickies.
System review: Chart with many small tasks or projects I want to do daily. If I don't do something, I have to record why not. Only two projects get deep attention. All the rest are LAO (little-and-often). A new chart per week seems to work.
Once normal started again, I surprised myself. 80% of the tasks every day the first week! Mon and Tues this week were perfect, and I'm well on my way to a perfect Wed.
Flexibility in how much I do seems to work. By touching each project every day I break the back of the big ones, and remind myself of its status. I naturally do more on some projects some days, and other projects on other days. On beautiful days, I do more gardening. I know today's step in one project is nasty, so I conserve energy by doing less on everything else.
ADDITIONS
New type of week planning chart. I'll start another thread for that. On the same spread as the daily list. The catch-all also goes on the same spread.
Large stickies for projects with multiple steps. I plan to move them from week to week. I like listing small steps, so there's a lot of movement on these stickies.
September 13, 2017 at 16:35 |
Cricket

Re-reading my old posts. My goal for LAO items switches between "one day plus one thing" and "five minutes or five things" and "1/5 of the weekly work".
The exact amount of work isn't critical. As long as I do something in the area often, it's self-correcting. If I'm falling behind, I know I need to do more. If I'm pulling ahead, it doesn't matter. If I'm excited about finishing, great!
There are dangers, though, in doing too much too fast. The obvious one is burnout. Not a big problem with LAO. If I do too much one day, I can do a tiny bit the next, just enough to keep up the habit.
A bigger problem is finishing something that isn't actually a finish-able project. For example, any inbox, and most cleaning. If I think it's finished, then I don't look at the area for days...weeks...months. Oops. Sometimes I slow down, so there is something left to do each day. Eventually I'll need to vacuum again. Other times I increase the scope. If the room is spotless, I'll tidy a drawer. After a few days of that, it's time to vacuum again. If a project goes through a slow stage, I'll review and clarify my notes or tidy the files. If I have fewer arrivals in my inbox than usual, I'll tidy and purge old files.
Yep, stalling today. I overdid the gardening two days in a row. Tomorrow's gardening goal is much easier, and already primed for success. While running errands, go to the city brush pile and empty the van.
The exact amount of work isn't critical. As long as I do something in the area often, it's self-correcting. If I'm falling behind, I know I need to do more. If I'm pulling ahead, it doesn't matter. If I'm excited about finishing, great!
There are dangers, though, in doing too much too fast. The obvious one is burnout. Not a big problem with LAO. If I do too much one day, I can do a tiny bit the next, just enough to keep up the habit.
A bigger problem is finishing something that isn't actually a finish-able project. For example, any inbox, and most cleaning. If I think it's finished, then I don't look at the area for days...weeks...months. Oops. Sometimes I slow down, so there is something left to do each day. Eventually I'll need to vacuum again. Other times I increase the scope. If the room is spotless, I'll tidy a drawer. After a few days of that, it's time to vacuum again. If a project goes through a slow stage, I'll review and clarify my notes or tidy the files. If I have fewer arrivals in my inbox than usual, I'll tidy and purge old files.
Yep, stalling today. I overdid the gardening two days in a row. Tomorrow's gardening goal is much easier, and already primed for success. While running errands, go to the city brush pile and empty the van.
September 13, 2017 at 21:03 |
Cricket

Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday, Mend on Wednesday, Churn on Thursday, Clean on Friday, Bake on Saturday, Rest on Sunday.
-- Little House in the Big Woods.
Rebooting, again, this time after two weeks down. I need to accept that I often get very little done for weeks at a time.
Many experts recommend themed days. I could declare each thing done, at least for the week. This grid, doing a little bit on several projects each day, is the opposite.
Themed days and finishing projects makes sense. Accomplishment! Batching! This forum even discussed ABCABCABC vs AAABBBCCC scheduling. The latter finishes A and B much faster.
Then I think about it. What if I don't finish washing on Monday? Does half of itnot get done that week? Do I make Tuesday the the 2nd half of washing and the 1st half of ironing? Baking would never get a turn! What if there's a mending emergency? Or I need to shop? Or, when pigs fly, what if there is no laundry?
It's complicated further by frequent unproductive weeks. I need a system that handles them.
When I reboot, do I start with all the washing? Or, since it's Tuesday, the ironing? (Ignore the laundry/ironing connection.) And what about all the things that don't get a day?
Once again, a bit in each room each day works best, and one room is "other".
One load of washing a day does the routine laundry just fine, survives if I miss one, and doesn't collapse if I need to do two in an emergency. Every so often there's room for something special, like the blankets. During the rest of the day, everything else gets a turn. A bit of ironing, the mending emergency, churning takes less time overall when done in larger batches so leave that and clean the two dirtiest things (then use a double-slot for churning tomorrow), bake something for tomorrow's potluck.
If I'm doing well, I can do more. Look ahead (make soap from lye and ashes), current (clean behind the furniture), or behind (take the old butter churn to the dump).
If I'm not doing well, each area gets just enough attention to keep going.
When I reboot, I don't spend hours on one area, only to fall again without any progress on the rest. Clean washing doesn't mean much when all the clothes have holes.
-- Little House in the Big Woods.
Rebooting, again, this time after two weeks down. I need to accept that I often get very little done for weeks at a time.
Many experts recommend themed days. I could declare each thing done, at least for the week. This grid, doing a little bit on several projects each day, is the opposite.
Themed days and finishing projects makes sense. Accomplishment! Batching! This forum even discussed ABCABCABC vs AAABBBCCC scheduling. The latter finishes A and B much faster.
Then I think about it. What if I don't finish washing on Monday? Does half of itnot get done that week? Do I make Tuesday the the 2nd half of washing and the 1st half of ironing? Baking would never get a turn! What if there's a mending emergency? Or I need to shop? Or, when pigs fly, what if there is no laundry?
It's complicated further by frequent unproductive weeks. I need a system that handles them.
When I reboot, do I start with all the washing? Or, since it's Tuesday, the ironing? (Ignore the laundry/ironing connection.) And what about all the things that don't get a day?
Once again, a bit in each room each day works best, and one room is "other".
One load of washing a day does the routine laundry just fine, survives if I miss one, and doesn't collapse if I need to do two in an emergency. Every so often there's room for something special, like the blankets. During the rest of the day, everything else gets a turn. A bit of ironing, the mending emergency, churning takes less time overall when done in larger batches so leave that and clean the two dirtiest things (then use a double-slot for churning tomorrow), bake something for tomorrow's potluck.
If I'm doing well, I can do more. Look ahead (make soap from lye and ashes), current (clean behind the furniture), or behind (take the old butter churn to the dump).
If I'm not doing well, each area gets just enough attention to keep going.
When I reboot, I don't spend hours on one area, only to fall again without any progress on the rest. Clean washing doesn't mean much when all the clothes have holes.
October 10, 2017 at 15:39 |
Cricket

Another benefit:
Today I almost started another project.
Then, I remembered I had a dozen or more boxes left to check on the grid for today. If, by the time I finish them, I still have energy, I might consider the project. By then, though, I'll have a better perspective, and probably use the energy on something more useful.
This works better than rewriting.
With rewriting, if I work on an area every day for a week, then miss two days, it looks like it's getting less attention than an area that I worked on once in January and once yesterday. With the grid, I can see the overall totals.
(One could record "times done since Jan 1" on the rewritten line, or even write several at once. Chapter 1, Chapter 2, or Session 1, Session 2, or even Hour 1, Hour 2 if you want to more carefully track hours. But, the grid combines all that information nicely. Just write what you completed in the cell.)
On weeks when I don't get to everything every day, the grid makes it easy to tell which ones aren't getting attention. Even if the attention consists checking for fires, they get it.
I've started a new pair of recording symbols: Minimal attention, and ideal attention. Minimal is enough for the day. Dishes washed. I want to do more, though, Just a bit more. One shelf takes five minutes, and one shelf a week will get through the kitchen and pantry in a year.
Today I almost started another project.
Then, I remembered I had a dozen or more boxes left to check on the grid for today. If, by the time I finish them, I still have energy, I might consider the project. By then, though, I'll have a better perspective, and probably use the energy on something more useful.
This works better than rewriting.
With rewriting, if I work on an area every day for a week, then miss two days, it looks like it's getting less attention than an area that I worked on once in January and once yesterday. With the grid, I can see the overall totals.
(One could record "times done since Jan 1" on the rewritten line, or even write several at once. Chapter 1, Chapter 2, or Session 1, Session 2, or even Hour 1, Hour 2 if you want to more carefully track hours. But, the grid combines all that information nicely. Just write what you completed in the cell.)
On weeks when I don't get to everything every day, the grid makes it easy to tell which ones aren't getting attention. Even if the attention consists checking for fires, they get it.
I've started a new pair of recording symbols: Minimal attention, and ideal attention. Minimal is enough for the day. Dishes washed. I want to do more, though, Just a bit more. One shelf takes five minutes, and one shelf a week will get through the kitchen and pantry in a year.
October 10, 2017 at 19:09 |
Cricket

First time seeing this, looks interesting. Can't see myself adopting this presently, but I'm happily adapting Mark's RAF system to keep myself making regular progress on a lot of little things that all seem to be slowly shaping up. I use checklists to crossfeed into my everything list for things that are regular enough. Laundry is one such item. Every week it gets pushed into my working list and stays there until laundry is caught up.
I don't get the nice grid of completion records but for now that's okay by me.
One thing I like about your approach is how everything seems to be all available at once, and you can do what you need when you feel ready, and it's systematic and building up routine. A catchall list doesn't give that same feeling.
I don't get the nice grid of completion records but for now that's okay by me.
One thing I like about your approach is how everything seems to be all available at once, and you can do what you need when you feel ready, and it's systematic and building up routine. A catchall list doesn't give that same feeling.
October 11, 2017 at 4:43 |
Alan Baljeu

I've been following your grid process with interest, thanks so much for sharing all this.
Every time you post about the grid and how you use it, I want to try it, but I'm using a half-letter notebook and I can't figure out how to make a usable sized grid. So I started doing something I see recommended everywhere: I pick three things to work on the night before. I can't be trusted to touch everything every day, no matter how small the touching is, so I resorted to a rotation instead of themed days - the last thing I touched was Ironing, so if I only get one thing done, it should be Mending because that's next in the rotation and un-done for the longest. I write my three tasks out on a page with the routine things that aren't yet habits, and I leave space for checkmarks/excuses. It's working out really, really well, and I'm still poking and adapting and getting better.
TL,DR: you helped me find an utterly different system than the one you're using, and it helps, and I really appreciate it. Thank you!
Every time you post about the grid and how you use it, I want to try it, but I'm using a half-letter notebook and I can't figure out how to make a usable sized grid. So I started doing something I see recommended everywhere: I pick three things to work on the night before. I can't be trusted to touch everything every day, no matter how small the touching is, so I resorted to a rotation instead of themed days - the last thing I touched was Ironing, so if I only get one thing done, it should be Mending because that's next in the rotation and un-done for the longest. I write my three tasks out on a page with the routine things that aren't yet habits, and I leave space for checkmarks/excuses. It's working out really, really well, and I'm still poking and adapting and getting better.
TL,DR: you helped me find an utterly different system than the one you're using, and it helps, and I really appreciate it. Thank you!
October 11, 2017 at 14:26 |
R.M. Koske

RM, I thought about rotation, but then got caught up analyzing the details. Does mending mean the entire basket, even if this week it's huge? (I've know this one! It's a weekly rotation, so keep going until basket is empty or have done two typical week's worth. Unless there's a good reason to do otherwise.)
Yeah, small paper doesn't work as well for this. Maybe a grid for each type of work? I used to have several grids. One for daily goals, one for weekly, one for monthly. Record date actually done, so I don't do laundry on the 30th and then the 1st. Or one for physical work and one for deskwork, with a master grid to help balance the two areas. It didn't have room for excuses, but worked well for about 6 months, until I got overwhelmed for other reasons. It also rebooted well.
I'm glad you commented. I'd forgotten to record my excuses! I rebooted most of the system, but not the finishing touches that make all the difference!
Yeah, small paper doesn't work as well for this. Maybe a grid for each type of work? I used to have several grids. One for daily goals, one for weekly, one for monthly. Record date actually done, so I don't do laundry on the 30th and then the 1st. Or one for physical work and one for deskwork, with a master grid to help balance the two areas. It didn't have room for excuses, but worked well for about 6 months, until I got overwhelmed for other reasons. It also rebooted well.
I'm glad you commented. I'd forgotten to record my excuses! I rebooted most of the system, but not the finishing touches that make all the difference!
October 11, 2017 at 17:10 |
Cricket

Alan, thanks for the comment. I only keep the records a few weeks, but often wish I kept them longer. I have some suspicions about my energy patterns over time. Female. Weather. Outside stresses. If I had longer records, I could better predict it, work with the patterns, and maybe defend against some of them.
October 11, 2017 at 17:12 |
Cricket

RM,
Now I remember why rotating didn't work for me.
First, I was too optimistic. 10 hours of dailies doesn't leave much room for weeklies. No problem with too long on the dailies, the cycle will just take a day (or 5) longer. That's a risk for the grid, too. Maybe the earlier experience taught me to be more realistic.
I also expected to do 1/7 of the weeklies, 1/30 of the monthlies, etc. each day, and meet my long-term goals. How is that too optimistic? I expected to finish all my weeklies every week, even though I average only 3.5 days / week without appointments and unexpected projects. I needed to do 1/3 of my weeklies every working day, and if they don't fit into the time available, either do them less often (rotation takes more than a week) or do less each time (move 1 piece of furniture instead of 2).
Second, I had a too-elabourate tree structure. One of the dailies was "1/7 of the weeklies", one of the weeklies was "1/4 of the monthlies", one of the monthlies was... a) confusing b) optimistic c) not resilient.
Third, I need flexibility. If I say I'm going to do X, but don't want to do X, I do nothing. Scanning for something I want to do works better. Mark's recent blog posts are right!
Looking at my current systems, I wouldn't have to change much to go to rotation.
1. Several special lines on the daily grid: Recurring Tasks. Project-of-the-Day (for the very few projects best done in larger chunks). Triage Inboxes. (New to me: Put the non-urgent inboxes on the RTList.)
2. Use the grid for dailies, to reduce rewriting.
3. Use my Recurring Tasks List for weekly and longer.
http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2681530
4. Be realistic in the amount I plan to do. Tara Brache calls it Radical Acceptance. Set my goals assuming only 3 working days per week.
Deleted a lot of details here.
Added up my commitments, ideal and absolute minimum time per week.
Take a busy week. 16 hours of appointments and urgents. Minimum maintenance on commitments. Calculate what I have for studying and projects.
Test that ratio on a light week. Only 8 hours of appointments and urgents. (Driving busy kids around takes a lot of time!) It works!
Not quite as much time on projects as I'd like, but this way the extra time on light weeks is balanced.
Wow! I usually start with all the things I want to do each week, and the total gets way too high. Looking at it this way, I know the minimum will get done, probably more, and it doesn't feel austere. My gut says it will be a good balance of work type and who benefits. No guilt at doing too much or too little.
It's not rotation, but thinking about how I would do the rotation got me looking at it in a new way.
Thanks!
Now I remember why rotating didn't work for me.
First, I was too optimistic. 10 hours of dailies doesn't leave much room for weeklies. No problem with too long on the dailies, the cycle will just take a day (or 5) longer. That's a risk for the grid, too. Maybe the earlier experience taught me to be more realistic.
I also expected to do 1/7 of the weeklies, 1/30 of the monthlies, etc. each day, and meet my long-term goals. How is that too optimistic? I expected to finish all my weeklies every week, even though I average only 3.5 days / week without appointments and unexpected projects. I needed to do 1/3 of my weeklies every working day, and if they don't fit into the time available, either do them less often (rotation takes more than a week) or do less each time (move 1 piece of furniture instead of 2).
Second, I had a too-elabourate tree structure. One of the dailies was "1/7 of the weeklies", one of the weeklies was "1/4 of the monthlies", one of the monthlies was... a) confusing b) optimistic c) not resilient.
Third, I need flexibility. If I say I'm going to do X, but don't want to do X, I do nothing. Scanning for something I want to do works better. Mark's recent blog posts are right!
Looking at my current systems, I wouldn't have to change much to go to rotation.
1. Several special lines on the daily grid: Recurring Tasks. Project-of-the-Day (for the very few projects best done in larger chunks). Triage Inboxes. (New to me: Put the non-urgent inboxes on the RTList.)
2. Use the grid for dailies, to reduce rewriting.
3. Use my Recurring Tasks List for weekly and longer.
http://markforster.squarespace.com/forum/post/2681530
4. Be realistic in the amount I plan to do. Tara Brache calls it Radical Acceptance. Set my goals assuming only 3 working days per week.
Deleted a lot of details here.
Added up my commitments, ideal and absolute minimum time per week.
Take a busy week. 16 hours of appointments and urgents. Minimum maintenance on commitments. Calculate what I have for studying and projects.
Test that ratio on a light week. Only 8 hours of appointments and urgents. (Driving busy kids around takes a lot of time!) It works!
Not quite as much time on projects as I'd like, but this way the extra time on light weeks is balanced.
Wow! I usually start with all the things I want to do each week, and the total gets way too high. Looking at it this way, I know the minimum will get done, probably more, and it doesn't feel austere. My gut says it will be a good balance of work type and who benefits. No guilt at doing too much or too little.
It's not rotation, but thinking about how I would do the rotation got me looking at it in a new way.
Thanks!
October 12, 2017 at 2:44 |
Cricket

It's funny, Cricket - you're overly optimistic and scheduling too much, and I'm reluctant to schedule or push myself too hard (my inner two-year old gets stronger when pressed, and if I overschedule I find myself playing a lot of Candy Crush.)
It was super-interesting to watch your process through for the new method. If/when I drop the excuse log (or keep it on another sheet? Hm) I'll try the grids. I also need to keep it in mind that everything doesn't have to be on one sheet.
Keep us posted about your system!
It was super-interesting to watch your process through for the new method. If/when I drop the excuse log (or keep it on another sheet? Hm) I'll try the grids. I also need to keep it in mind that everything doesn't have to be on one sheet.
Keep us posted about your system!
October 12, 2017 at 15:19 |
R.M. Koske

This week I'm optimistic, but unfocused. Very unfocused. Unless you count the essays I've written here and elsewhere. I focused very well on them.
October 12, 2017 at 19:12 |
Cricket

Okay I'm in. Starting real basic, I have a normal ruled page with daily items running down the margin, and squares drawn in for each item each day. Will include things I do early morning and things I do late evening and a couple additional things. Should take a lot of clutter out of the autofocus list.
October 17, 2017 at 3:16 |
Alan Baljeu

Alan, looking forward to hearing about your experience.
Meanwhile, I'm at the next level. The dangerous one. Instead of writing the list each week, I've put it in a spreadsheet so I can print it. Saves time, in theory. Fingers crossed. The last time I did this, I had to turn on the computer early each week to print the chart, before I could record what I did, or even roll a die to see what to do next. Turning on the computer is dangerous! This time, I'm just putting on routine tasks, with plenty of room for changing, so I can print a few weeks worth at a time. Fingers crossed. Still have plenty of boring graph paper left.
Meanwhile, I'm at the next level. The dangerous one. Instead of writing the list each week, I've put it in a spreadsheet so I can print it. Saves time, in theory. Fingers crossed. The last time I did this, I had to turn on the computer early each week to print the chart, before I could record what I did, or even roll a die to see what to do next. Turning on the computer is dangerous! This time, I'm just putting on routine tasks, with plenty of room for changing, so I can print a few weeks worth at a time. Fingers crossed. Still have plenty of boring graph paper left.
October 19, 2017 at 22:49 |
Cricket

It works, and easily combines several motivational tools.
I've used one for four weeks. It's survived travel, sick days, exam week, and camp-packing stress. It helped rebuild momentum on several projects that had stalled, and encourages me to do go back and earn just one more checkmark.
The grid has days on one axis; fields (tasks, areas, projects) on the other and enough room in each cell for a word or two. I make a new one each week. For most areas, I do a different thing each day. E.g., bathroom sink, toilet, tub, floor, and whatever else needs doing. (Stay in the room, bored, until I see something, like that towel bar I've been meaning to fix, and do it.)
Each and every cell is filled in each day, with Done, Details, or the Reason (or Excuse) why I didn't do it.
Some lines refer to other lists, such as Recurring Tasks or Phone Calls.
If the weekly one-off list is large, I scan both the grid and the weekly list. If it's small, I might use a field that says, "Something from weekly list," or even "Second thing from weekly list." It varies with week.
++++
Why does it work?
It combines several other tools, such as "points per day" and "don't break the chain", a brag board, and, most importantly, an excuse log, into a single sheet. (Well, two if you have a lot of projects.)
(Excuse log only works if you fill in each and every cell every day.)
It encourages the Often part of Little and Often, which is a problem for me.
Daily tasks are written once, not copied every day.
Projects which have not been done today, or for several days, are easy to see.
The chart makes daily and weekly review very easy. It's all on one page.
The mini-diary keeps track of when I did things, especially recurring tasks where you ask, "When did I last do it?"
++++
Specifics
Currently, I have 30 fields. The number goes up and down, as they get added, removed, combined or expanded. There's plenty of room for more, so I can change it on the fly.
Every field gets an entry every day. If it doesn't get a checkmark, or "skipped with reason", it gets an excuse.
Some fields are for general records. (Appointments all day. Sick. Packing.)
Some are "tidy this room, again". Stand in the room until you see something and do it. Easier, more flexible, and more complete, than working from a set list.
Some fields are negatives. (Time spent on FaceBook.)
Some are subdivided, if there are parts I'm tempted to skip, or want to makes sure I don't leave all the tough bits to the end (pull one thistle and one easy weed), or I want to speed it up (one weed, a second weed, a third weed).
Some get status reports. Number of email left in inbox. Is it growing? Why? If so, why, and can I do something about it?
One is "recurring task list". Do at least one, and look ahead for critical tasks.
Most of the list-working methods will work.
+++
The chart doesn't replace my weekly list of one-off tasks, and the catch-all list. One of the fields is "see urgent task list". Another is "review and planning". That means one of: Weekly review, Purse/meeting book, Catch-all list (feeds urgent list), or any planning task I can think of.
Some activities can earn checkmarks in more than one column. If I help my husband helps fix the towel bar, that counts as bathroom for the day, do something with husband, and nag him. (Yes, he asked me to nag him. Otherwise, he doesn't get things like this done.)
I tried it on the computer and tablet. Opening the file interrupted the flow. (How many times will I repeat that experiment?)
Penciling in which task to do each day didn't work. I need more flexibility. Looking at the recurring task list each day combines accountability and flexibility.
A field for "one big thing" had mixed results. Some days it encouraged me to take a deep dive into something complicated, or make more progress than usual on a big but simple project. Other days, it became an excuse, or even pressure, to do that when there were more important smaller tasks to be done.