FV and FVP Forum > FV - THE 1 MONTH OPINION POLL
(1) FV for 5 weeks.
(2) Paper. A4 filofax (“the granddaddy”)
(3) Work. Not at home as yet but planning to soon
(4) Tried a minor tweak/tip of putting the ladder onto a Post-It note, but then stopped.
(5) Minor dislike is needing to scan the entire list on a regular basis
(6) No new questions at present
(7) Being disciplined in returning to the list when I’m under pressure
(8) Looking forward to the official FAQs!
(2) Paper. A4 filofax (“the granddaddy”)
(3) Work. Not at home as yet but planning to soon
(4) Tried a minor tweak/tip of putting the ladder onto a Post-It note, but then stopped.
(5) Minor dislike is needing to scan the entire list on a regular basis
(6) No new questions at present
(7) Being disciplined in returning to the list when I’m under pressure
(8) Looking forward to the official FAQs!
April 17, 2012 at 20:51 |
neumatist
neumatist
(1) Since the day it was published.
(2) Electronic. I use Clear for iPhone.
(3) All of them.
(4) Nope.
(5) Nope.
(6) I create separate lists of "workflows" that the FV list references to keep the list tidy.
(7) The oldest task is not always relevant. No big deal, I just move the bottom.
(8) It's fun and it works!
(2) Electronic. I use Clear for iPhone.
(3) All of them.
(4) Nope.
(5) Nope.
(6) I create separate lists of "workflows" that the FV list references to keep the list tidy.
(7) The oldest task is not always relevant. No big deal, I just move the bottom.
(8) It's fun and it works!
April 17, 2012 at 21:05 |
Zack Allen
Zack Allen
(1) Ditto
(2) Electronic and paper
(3) Home and work
(4) no quetsions
(5) no complaints so far
(6) Electronic: instead of dots, I move task to the end, and mark them done. New stuff gets entered before the end.
(7) Sticking to the list.
(8) It's too soon to give a final assessment.
(2) Electronic and paper
(3) Home and work
(4) no quetsions
(5) no complaints so far
(6) Electronic: instead of dots, I move task to the end, and mark them done. New stuff gets entered before the end.
(7) Sticking to the list.
(8) It's too soon to give a final assessment.
April 17, 2012 at 22:33 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
(1) About 3 weeks.
(2) Paper. Index cards – 1 per task.
(3) All.
(4) No.
(5) Dislike starting a new chain sometimes (e.g. near end of the day).
(6) Get ___.
(7) Significant work on root tasks, because it's hard!
(8) Good balance: important neglected work with fun & urgent stuff.
(2) Paper. Index cards – 1 per task.
(3) All.
(4) No.
(5) Dislike starting a new chain sometimes (e.g. near end of the day).
(6) Get ___.
(7) Significant work on root tasks, because it's hard!
(8) Good balance: important neglected work with fun & urgent stuff.
April 17, 2012 at 22:36 |
ubi
ubi
(1) In the form as promulgated: since about a month before it was broadcast to the world. In forms very close to the final form: about three months before that. The exact wording of the question was the main variable.
(2) Used electronic (Evernote) in Australia but have reverted to pen and paper since return.
(3) All contexts.
(4) None I can't answer!
(5) No.
(6) Tip: Trust the system.
(7) Pushing through to the end of a chain when I'm tired.
(8) It's my final version.
(2) Used electronic (Evernote) in Australia but have reverted to pen and paper since return.
(3) All contexts.
(4) None I can't answer!
(5) No.
(6) Tip: Trust the system.
(7) Pushing through to the end of a chain when I'm tired.
(8) It's my final version.
April 17, 2012 at 23:16 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
(1) Since the day the instructions were released
(2) Paper, in my trusty Moleskine
(3) I have one big list that I use for home and work.
(4) No
(5) No
(6) No
(7) Using it all of the time
(8) I'm curious what happened to the promise of being able to gauge what a day's work is, like we could do with DIT.
(2) Paper, in my trusty Moleskine
(3) I have one big list that I use for home and work.
(4) No
(5) No
(6) No
(7) Using it all of the time
(8) I'm curious what happened to the promise of being able to gauge what a day's work is, like we could do with DIT.
April 17, 2012 at 23:32 |
Jeff N
Jeff N
1) About 1 month
2) paper (3x5 cards, lined, 18 tasks per page, vertical orientation, bound with Circa-like rings, reporter notebook style, with a plastic cover I cut out, including a pen loop)
3) all contexts in one list
4) I currently do not have any questions other than: When will the book come out? I will buy one.
5) I sometimes dislike that there is additional thought involved in making chains when I have to consider the structure of my day. For example, I might have a one-hour window of discretionary time involving 2 or 3 contexts, followed by 6 hours during which my time is already spoken for. It is helpful to consider these multiple factors while making the chain. It is much easier to use this system when I have more discretionary time.
6) The only tweak I use is to use magnetic page markers to point to the selected tasks. (This is in addition to the dots and the vertical and horizontal lines. It is very easy to find my chain).
7) The aspect hardest to stick to is finding the right balance in what it means to act on a task. It could be anything from "think about it" to "complete it." I tend to lean one way or another -- both extremes can create problems.
8) "The question" is very thoroughly thought out. Don't change wording!
2) paper (3x5 cards, lined, 18 tasks per page, vertical orientation, bound with Circa-like rings, reporter notebook style, with a plastic cover I cut out, including a pen loop)
3) all contexts in one list
4) I currently do not have any questions other than: When will the book come out? I will buy one.
5) I sometimes dislike that there is additional thought involved in making chains when I have to consider the structure of my day. For example, I might have a one-hour window of discretionary time involving 2 or 3 contexts, followed by 6 hours during which my time is already spoken for. It is helpful to consider these multiple factors while making the chain. It is much easier to use this system when I have more discretionary time.
6) The only tweak I use is to use magnetic page markers to point to the selected tasks. (This is in addition to the dots and the vertical and horizontal lines. It is very easy to find my chain).
7) The aspect hardest to stick to is finding the right balance in what it means to act on a task. It could be anything from "think about it" to "complete it." I tend to lean one way or another -- both extremes can create problems.
8) "The question" is very thoroughly thought out. Don't change wording!
April 17, 2012 at 23:48 |
Sarah J
Sarah J
(1) How long? About 1 month.
(2) Electronic. (Microsoft OneNote)
(3) Contexts? Everything
(4) Questions? Will I still be using this in one year?
(5) Dislikes? Takes too long for me to preselect (list too long)
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Preselection should be a FAST process. Don't ponder.
(7) Hardest? Returning to the system when I'm tired and have been in meetings most of the day
(8) Make a generous contribution to Mark's Paypal account if you have found value in FV!
(2) Electronic. (Microsoft OneNote)
(3) Contexts? Everything
(4) Questions? Will I still be using this in one year?
(5) Dislikes? Takes too long for me to preselect (list too long)
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Preselection should be a FAST process. Don't ponder.
(7) Hardest? Returning to the system when I'm tired and have been in meetings most of the day
(8) Make a generous contribution to Mark's Paypal account if you have found value in FV!
April 18, 2012 at 2:10 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
(1) How long have you been using FV? Since day one.
(2) Electronic or paper? Paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? Work and Home.
(4) Any questions about FV? Nope
(5) Any dislikes about FV? Nope
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Use paper. Always start at the end in case you added and dotted an urgent task. It keeps the whole list in your mind.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Very successful at work; have trouble just opening the list at home.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less - It just works if you let it.
(2) Electronic or paper? Paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? Work and Home.
(4) Any questions about FV? Nope
(5) Any dislikes about FV? Nope
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Use paper. Always start at the end in case you added and dotted an urgent task. It keeps the whole list in your mind.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Very successful at work; have trouble just opening the list at home.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less - It just works if you let it.
April 18, 2012 at 3:31 |
MartyH
MartyH
(1) Appx 3 weeks... stopped appx 1 week ago
(2) Paper, then electronic (Evernote). Pondering a shift back to my all time fave - Covey's 7 Habits i.e. PlanPlus, weekplan.net, etc.
(3) Work/Home
(4) No
(5) The question - which in theory seemed very important - never worked for me. And then the castle came tumbling down.
(6) None
(7) See #5
(8) I like trying new systems ;)
(2) Paper, then electronic (Evernote). Pondering a shift back to my all time fave - Covey's 7 Habits i.e. PlanPlus, weekplan.net, etc.
(3) Work/Home
(4) No
(5) The question - which in theory seemed very important - never worked for me. And then the castle came tumbling down.
(6) None
(7) See #5
(8) I like trying new systems ;)
April 18, 2012 at 4:30 |
avrum
avrum
(1) Using it since four weeks
(2) On paper (big A4 notebook - used since AF early days)
(3) Work only (I never seem to be able to consistently use a list in the less structured home environment)
(4) No questions
(5) No dislikes, but a concern: that the frequent scanning of the whole list would make me "blind" to some of its content
(6) Only some minor cosmetic tweaks
(7) When pre-selecting, I sometimes have trouble keeping the reference item in mind during the scan
(8) Very effective system, at least the equal of AF1 (final judgment pending).
(2) On paper (big A4 notebook - used since AF early days)
(3) Work only (I never seem to be able to consistently use a list in the less structured home environment)
(4) No questions
(5) No dislikes, but a concern: that the frequent scanning of the whole list would make me "blind" to some of its content
(6) Only some minor cosmetic tweaks
(7) When pre-selecting, I sometimes have trouble keeping the reference item in mind during the scan
(8) Very effective system, at least the equal of AF1 (final judgment pending).
April 18, 2012 at 9:42 |
Marc (from Brussels)
Marc (from Brussels)
(1) How long: 5 weeks
(2) first 2 weeks on paper, then tried TaskPaper for a few days, now using EverNote for almost 3 weeks. I would like to go back to paper, which feels nicer, but in the end electronic is more efficient for my way of working with projects and notes.
(3) contexts: home and work (i.e., everywhere), I use tags in Evernote to be able to separate them (although in practice I often just look at the entire list)
(4) questions: still struggling how to get a good feel for what 'a days work' looks like in FV
(5) dislike: scanning the list for making the preselection can be a bit of burden with a long list. Although I am getting better at it.
(6) tip: Evernote works very nice to integrate FV with taking notes about projects.
(7) hardest aspect: I have a tendency to scrap the preselection when switching context (home/work), meaning the early tasks stay around too long
(8) I though DIT and AF were brilliant, but FV is much better
(2) first 2 weeks on paper, then tried TaskPaper for a few days, now using EverNote for almost 3 weeks. I would like to go back to paper, which feels nicer, but in the end electronic is more efficient for my way of working with projects and notes.
(3) contexts: home and work (i.e., everywhere), I use tags in Evernote to be able to separate them (although in practice I often just look at the entire list)
(4) questions: still struggling how to get a good feel for what 'a days work' looks like in FV
(5) dislike: scanning the list for making the preselection can be a bit of burden with a long list. Although I am getting better at it.
(6) tip: Evernote works very nice to integrate FV with taking notes about projects.
(7) hardest aspect: I have a tendency to scrap the preselection when switching context (home/work), meaning the early tasks stay around too long
(8) I though DIT and AF were brilliant, but FV is much better
April 18, 2012 at 11:10 |
Nicole
Nicole
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?)
(2) Electronic or paper?
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
(4) Any questions about FV?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
I’ve given my example in the post below. If interested, perhaps others can follow suit?
simplicity.
To make an opinion poll easily digestible, how about people respond with a several word answer to each of the following questions:
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) since it was raised
(2) Electronic or paper? Electronic omnifocus
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
All
(4) Any questions about FV? No
(5) Any dislikes about FV? No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? No
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? No
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
I use Fv with OF using the inbox and the contexts + flags
I also use projects. So my system is mixt gtd, and Fv
Ir works very well and can manage eitheir ideas, notes, tasks or projects
All is sync so it goes on any devices ipad, iphone, mac and anywhere
(2) Electronic or paper?
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
(4) Any questions about FV?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
I’ve given my example in the post below. If interested, perhaps others can follow suit?
simplicity.
To make an opinion poll easily digestible, how about people respond with a several word answer to each of the following questions:
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) since it was raised
(2) Electronic or paper? Electronic omnifocus
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
All
(4) Any questions about FV? No
(5) Any dislikes about FV? No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? No
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? No
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
I use Fv with OF using the inbox and the contexts + flags
I also use projects. So my system is mixt gtd, and Fv
Ir works very well and can manage eitheir ideas, notes, tasks or projects
All is sync so it goes on any devices ipad, iphone, mac and anywhere
April 18, 2012 at 11:54 |
Jupiter
Jupiter
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) - A month
(2) Electronic or paper? - Stared on paper, flirted with EN but it encouraged me to tweak the lists so back on paper. RH page for the list, LH page for random jottings
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) - Both. Started with one list, split into Home/Work but realise I prefer it all in one (scary) big list
(4) Any questions about FV? - Is it cheating to move a task onto a future date in calendar if you don't want to do it in the next week or so?
(5) Any dislikes about FV? - No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? - Don't tweak
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? - Remembering little and often, don't have to complete a task
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less - Simple rules, tackles procrastination, encourages completion - brilliant.
(2) Electronic or paper? - Stared on paper, flirted with EN but it encouraged me to tweak the lists so back on paper. RH page for the list, LH page for random jottings
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) - Both. Started with one list, split into Home/Work but realise I prefer it all in one (scary) big list
(4) Any questions about FV? - Is it cheating to move a task onto a future date in calendar if you don't want to do it in the next week or so?
(5) Any dislikes about FV? - No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? - Don't tweak
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? - Remembering little and often, don't have to complete a task
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less - Simple rules, tackles procrastination, encourages completion - brilliant.
April 18, 2012 at 13:17 |
Linda
Linda
1) Since announcement
2) Electronic/outlook
3) All contexts,but it is 95% work tasks
4) No questions about FV
5) Still working on finding the balance between a quick scan and an accurate one (I have 500+ items and have to fight through "eye glaze over"syndrome between item 305 and 451.
6) Definitely not a tip, but my tweak has been to set some automatic formatting for tasks that are in progress and tasks that are urgent (but not dot immediately urgent).
7) None I find it very easy to stick with.
8) Simple, versatile, elegant, works exceedingly well.
2) Electronic/outlook
3) All contexts,but it is 95% work tasks
4) No questions about FV
5) Still working on finding the balance between a quick scan and an accurate one (I have 500+ items and have to fight through "eye glaze over"syndrome between item 305 and 451.
6) Definitely not a tip, but my tweak has been to set some automatic formatting for tasks that are in progress and tasks that are urgent (but not dot immediately urgent).
7) None I find it very easy to stick with.
8) Simple, versatile, elegant, works exceedingly well.
April 18, 2012 at 13:55 |
vegheadjones
vegheadjones
(1) Since it was published
(2) Paper: @work DIN A4 @home pocket moleskin
(3) home, work
(4) Any questions about FV? How to handle Projects
(5) Any dislikes about FV? No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Plain FV
(7) None
(8) I like the simplicity and especially the motivation to complete the task-chains. Also to see the progress in a glance.
(2) Paper: @work DIN A4 @home pocket moleskin
(3) home, work
(4) Any questions about FV? How to handle Projects
(5) Any dislikes about FV? No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Plain FV
(7) None
(8) I like the simplicity and especially the motivation to complete the task-chains. Also to see the progress in a glance.
April 18, 2012 at 14:01 |
Jens
Jens
Responses after each question:
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) = since the instructions first arrived via email from Mark.
(2) Electronic or paper? = Evernote at present, may look at using Notability on my new iPad.
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) = work, personal, travel
(4) Any questions about FV? How often do others get to the top/last item on the chain and do nothing or very little?
(5) Any dislikes about FV? None so far.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? = I copy routines and checklists from another Evernote notebook into FV as required where I can then tick them off. These lists are in the body of the note, so can be used when all eventually done or discarded.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Focusing long enough on the deemed difficult tasks, due to my procrastination tendency, which does seem to be lessening with FV.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less = grteat system, FV book in electronic, I hope.
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) = since the instructions first arrived via email from Mark.
(2) Electronic or paper? = Evernote at present, may look at using Notability on my new iPad.
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) = work, personal, travel
(4) Any questions about FV? How often do others get to the top/last item on the chain and do nothing or very little?
(5) Any dislikes about FV? None so far.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? = I copy routines and checklists from another Evernote notebook into FV as required where I can then tick them off. These lists are in the body of the note, so can be used when all eventually done or discarded.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Focusing long enough on the deemed difficult tasks, due to my procrastination tendency, which does seem to be lessening with FV.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less = grteat system, FV book in electronic, I hope.
April 18, 2012 at 14:09 |
Roger J
Roger J
Linda:
<< Is it cheating to move a task onto a future date in calendar if you don't want to do it in the next week or so? >>
No.
<< Is it cheating to move a task onto a future date in calendar if you don't want to do it in the next week or so? >>
No.
April 18, 2012 at 14:42 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
(1) How long? Started the week it was released
(2) Implementation? Electronic: Toodledo (web site on desktop, native iOS client)
(3) Contexts? Work
(4) Questions? Projects?
(5) Dislikes? I don't spend as much time any more goofing off. ;)
(6) Any tweaks/tips? My tip: "Don't tweak".
(7) Hardest? It's hard to believe that something so simple can be so effective.
(8) Comments? It works. Wow.
(2) Implementation? Electronic: Toodledo (web site on desktop, native iOS client)
(3) Contexts? Work
(4) Questions? Projects?
(5) Dislikes? I don't spend as much time any more goofing off. ;)
(6) Any tweaks/tips? My tip: "Don't tweak".
(7) Hardest? It's hard to believe that something so simple can be so effective.
(8) Comments? It works. Wow.
April 18, 2012 at 16:02 |
jFenter
jFenter
(1) Since day 1.
(2) Electronic.
(3) All contexts.
(4) Nope.
(5) Not really.
(6) Following it by the dot.
(7) None - it just works!
(8) Happy to have settled now :)
(2) Electronic.
(3) All contexts.
(4) Nope.
(5) Not really.
(6) Following it by the dot.
(7) None - it just works!
(8) Happy to have settled now :)
April 18, 2012 at 16:14 |
Stefano F. Rausch
Stefano F. Rausch
(1) 5 weeks now
(2) Paper (ruled pocket Moleskine)
(3) All contexts (though not so present at Home due to less discretionary time there)
(4) No questions
(5) No dislikes currently
(6) Tips? 3 "hints" I realised and adopted in the past month: (a) Write in a way that induces "work on <thing>" and not "finish <thing>"; (b) Keep the list light to ease the scanning (e.g. lifted backlog tasks to external projects; moved reference items to lists "2 read", "2 watch", etc); (c) Focus on working the chain, working the chain, working the chain…
(7) Hardest aspect? Not getting distracted or going "off-list" (but less now that some "distractions" became part of the list)
(8) Comments? The constant auto-review via the pre-selection scanning is brilliant! (to me it's the key that makes FV work so well, because it keeps you in tune with the list, and the list fresh and current, without cruft).
(2) Paper (ruled pocket Moleskine)
(3) All contexts (though not so present at Home due to less discretionary time there)
(4) No questions
(5) No dislikes currently
(6) Tips? 3 "hints" I realised and adopted in the past month: (a) Write in a way that induces "work on <thing>" and not "finish <thing>"; (b) Keep the list light to ease the scanning (e.g. lifted backlog tasks to external projects; moved reference items to lists "2 read", "2 watch", etc); (c) Focus on working the chain, working the chain, working the chain…
(7) Hardest aspect? Not getting distracted or going "off-list" (but less now that some "distractions" became part of the list)
(8) Comments? The constant auto-review via the pre-selection scanning is brilliant! (to me it's the key that makes FV work so well, because it keeps you in tune with the list, and the list fresh and current, without cruft).
April 18, 2012 at 16:30 |
Hugo Ferreira
Hugo Ferreira
(1) Since March 12, shortly after it came out.
(2) Paper!! El-cheapo Staples brand notebook, about 5" by 7"
(3) All in one book, home and work
(4) No questions I can think of.
(5) No dislikes ... except, why can't FV do my work for me as well?
(6) No tweaks. A bit of attention to task wording sometimes, but not a tweak.
(7) Hard to stick to? Nothing, now that I'm not worried about completing a chain a day.
(8) The system has disappeared, and now I've only myself to blame!
(#8 in jest: I'm getting much more done, just always wanting more)
(2) Paper!! El-cheapo Staples brand notebook, about 5" by 7"
(3) All in one book, home and work
(4) No questions I can think of.
(5) No dislikes ... except, why can't FV do my work for me as well?
(6) No tweaks. A bit of attention to task wording sometimes, but not a tweak.
(7) Hard to stick to? Nothing, now that I'm not worried about completing a chain a day.
(8) The system has disappeared, and now I've only myself to blame!
(#8 in jest: I'm getting much more done, just always wanting more)
April 18, 2012 at 17:55 |
Bernie
Bernie
(1) Since the second or so day? Something like that.
(2) Started on paper, just recently switched to electronic (using ToDo on the desktop & iOS)
(3) Everywhere (teaching, research, home)
(4) Nope.
(5) It's forcing me to deal with stuff, and be productive, and stuff. What's up with THAT?
(6) Nope.
(7) Strangely... I am flaky enough that I sometimes forget what my last-preselected-task was as I'm scanning the list. But I think that's a personal problem. ;^)
(8) Beware: FV will force you to deal with high-resistance items in a way that is freakily effective.
(2) Started on paper, just recently switched to electronic (using ToDo on the desktop & iOS)
(3) Everywhere (teaching, research, home)
(4) Nope.
(5) It's forcing me to deal with stuff, and be productive, and stuff. What's up with THAT?
(6) Nope.
(7) Strangely... I am flaky enough that I sometimes forget what my last-preselected-task was as I'm scanning the list. But I think that's a personal problem. ;^)
(8) Beware: FV will force you to deal with high-resistance items in a way that is freakily effective.
April 18, 2012 at 18:48 |
Sarah
Sarah
Marc from Brussels wrote: << When pre-selecting, I sometimes have trouble keeping the reference item in mind during the scan.>>
I also had this problem, until I watched Sarah's video. The key is to reduce the 'X' in the question to as few words as possible, ideally just one word that captures the benchmark task description. Then you can repeat the question in your mind like a mantra while scanning quickly.
I also had this problem, until I watched Sarah's video. The key is to reduce the 'X' in the question to as few words as possible, ideally just one word that captures the benchmark task description. Then you can repeat the question in your mind like a mantra while scanning quickly.
April 18, 2012 at 19:21 |
ubi
ubi
(1)
4 weeks
(2)
Electronic. Focuspad.
(3)
all contexts
(4)
no questions
(5)
No dislikes so far.
(6)
tweaks: no tweaks to system. tips: use get__ structure if needed.
(7)
I like to switch to autofocus procedure when things get urgent. Plus, seeing all those gaps on pages,make me want to revert to autofocus and 'close' the list. So all of FV is hard to stick with. But it takes adjusting.
(8)
Great system. I like it as much as af1.
4 weeks
(2)
Electronic. Focuspad.
(3)
all contexts
(4)
no questions
(5)
No dislikes so far.
(6)
tweaks: no tweaks to system. tips: use get__ structure if needed.
(7)
I like to switch to autofocus procedure when things get urgent. Plus, seeing all those gaps on pages,make me want to revert to autofocus and 'close' the list. So all of FV is hard to stick with. But it takes adjusting.
(8)
Great system. I like it as much as af1.
April 19, 2012 at 3:42 |
GMBW
GMBW
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) since it was raised
(2) Electronic or paper? Electronic (MS Outlook at work, Pocket Moleskine at home)
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)Mainly work: varying degrees of discipline at home.
All
(4) Any questions about FV? No
(5) Any dislikes about FV? No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Use the list as a buffer for sudden urges (coffee/ goofing around the interweb/ reading/ TV/...)
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Sticking to the list
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less I still lack discipline: only completing one or two ladders a day.
(2) Electronic or paper? Electronic (MS Outlook at work, Pocket Moleskine at home)
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)Mainly work: varying degrees of discipline at home.
All
(4) Any questions about FV? No
(5) Any dislikes about FV? No
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Use the list as a buffer for sudden urges (coffee/ goofing around the interweb/ reading/ TV/...)
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Sticking to the list
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less I still lack discipline: only completing one or two ladders a day.
April 19, 2012 at 9:56 |
Will
Will
(1) How long? From day one.
(2) Electronic? Evernote Windows (Laptop) and Evernote Android (SGS2) combo
(3) Contexts? Single list for everywhere (Home and Office)
(4) Questions? Not for now.
(5) Dislikes? Not for now.
(6) Tweaks/Tips? Evernote Windows/Android combo is great.
(7) Hardest? Completing a cycle per day (gets too focused, using a timer to help out)
(8) Comments? Looking forward to the book (ebook preferably).
Ubi wrote:
<< pre-selecting ... reduce the 'X' in the question to as few words as possible >>
Ahh ... I'm going to adopt this. If task cannot be written in three words, the keyword should be in the first three words.
(2) Electronic? Evernote Windows (Laptop) and Evernote Android (SGS2) combo
(3) Contexts? Single list for everywhere (Home and Office)
(4) Questions? Not for now.
(5) Dislikes? Not for now.
(6) Tweaks/Tips? Evernote Windows/Android combo is great.
(7) Hardest? Completing a cycle per day (gets too focused, using a timer to help out)
(8) Comments? Looking forward to the book (ebook preferably).
Ubi wrote:
<< pre-selecting ... reduce the 'X' in the question to as few words as possible >>
Ahh ... I'm going to adopt this. If task cannot be written in three words, the keyword should be in the first three words.
April 19, 2012 at 10:22 |
sabre23t
sabre23t
(1) FV since week one
(2) Paper. A4 notebook
(3) 3 columns: Work; Personal; study
(4) Tweak/tip. I used one part of one of the older systems - when my list is too straggly ( i reached 12 a4 pages) I rewrite the early pages with 5 or less items on them and create a new page. This page still functions as the "top of the list" so I always cycle back to it. On the new page I first note the page it came off and then write the task.
This may seem cumbersome, but it was better than struggling through to spot the last 2,3,4 or 5 items on my early pages in the list. Equally I did not want to cross them out and put them into the list as that would collude with my own procrastination of those tasks which were not unimportant enough to drop off the list.
(2) Paper. A4 notebook
(3) 3 columns: Work; Personal; study
(4) Tweak/tip. I used one part of one of the older systems - when my list is too straggly ( i reached 12 a4 pages) I rewrite the early pages with 5 or less items on them and create a new page. This page still functions as the "top of the list" so I always cycle back to it. On the new page I first note the page it came off and then write the task.
This may seem cumbersome, but it was better than struggling through to spot the last 2,3,4 or 5 items on my early pages in the list. Equally I did not want to cross them out and put them into the list as that would collude with my own procrastination of those tasks which were not unimportant enough to drop off the list.
April 19, 2012 at 10:36 |
Mike Jones
Mike Jones
Will: <Use the list as a buffer for sudden urges (coffee/ goofing around the interweb/ reading/ TV/...)>
How?
How?
April 19, 2012 at 14:57 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?) -- Since it was published -- a few days later, actually, since I wasn't asking the right question at first.
(2) Electronic or paper? -- Paper at first, but shifted to electronic a few days ago. I might shift back to paper after I've merged all my old lists, or combine paper for the list and electronic for notes. I still use paper to record things when the computer is turned off for the day (or not yet turned on).
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) -- I'm a stay-home Mom, so all. (I used to be an engineer in a foundry.)
(4) Any questions about FV? -- None at the moment.
(5) Any dislikes about FV? -- Currently I'm doing too much annual work and not enough daily. That's probably because I just imported a long-neglected list of high-resistance annual tasks and kept the original dates. Even though I choose only one annual task per cycle, I really want to get it done, so I don't want to do much before it. I end up with many short chains, each with just a few frequent tasks and an annual one.
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
I added "room of the day" and "outside work" lines, as well as a line per room and outside task and outside area. If I see a list of rooms, I won't want to work on any of them. If I see "room of the day", I will. When it comes up, I pick the room that stands out most (often the oldest) and then mark both lines as done. If the normal pre-selection question puts a room in the chain, I do it, and, if I haven't already done a room of the day, mark that line off too. Each room is getting attention on a regular basis now, something which hasn't happened in a long time.
To deal with balance issue mentioned earlier, I now insist that each chain include something that repeats somewhere between weekly and monthly, and something daily. Sometimes I declare that a few hours will have a focus.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
Balancing the freedom with time-critical tasks, especially tasks that can be done any time but must be done by a deadline (such as chopping supper vegetables).
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
It may not be the final answer, but it works for now.
(2) Electronic or paper? -- Paper at first, but shifted to electronic a few days ago. I might shift back to paper after I've merged all my old lists, or combine paper for the list and electronic for notes. I still use paper to record things when the computer is turned off for the day (or not yet turned on).
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) -- I'm a stay-home Mom, so all. (I used to be an engineer in a foundry.)
(4) Any questions about FV? -- None at the moment.
(5) Any dislikes about FV? -- Currently I'm doing too much annual work and not enough daily. That's probably because I just imported a long-neglected list of high-resistance annual tasks and kept the original dates. Even though I choose only one annual task per cycle, I really want to get it done, so I don't want to do much before it. I end up with many short chains, each with just a few frequent tasks and an annual one.
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
I added "room of the day" and "outside work" lines, as well as a line per room and outside task and outside area. If I see a list of rooms, I won't want to work on any of them. If I see "room of the day", I will. When it comes up, I pick the room that stands out most (often the oldest) and then mark both lines as done. If the normal pre-selection question puts a room in the chain, I do it, and, if I haven't already done a room of the day, mark that line off too. Each room is getting attention on a regular basis now, something which hasn't happened in a long time.
To deal with balance issue mentioned earlier, I now insist that each chain include something that repeats somewhere between weekly and monthly, and something daily. Sometimes I declare that a few hours will have a focus.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
Balancing the freedom with time-critical tasks, especially tasks that can be done any time but must be done by a deadline (such as chopping supper vegetables).
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
It may not be the final answer, but it works for now.
April 19, 2012 at 16:12 |
Cricket
Cricket
(1) How long have you been using FV? 11 days
(2) Electronic or paper? Paper. (3x5 index cards)
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? Work, intending to use at home too.
(4) Any questions about FV? Not at the moment.
(5) Any dislikes about FV? High-resistance urgent tasks seem to be a weak area.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Urgency tweak: http://www.markforster.net/fv-forum/post/1763749
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Not sure yet.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less: FV rocks, but is this version really final? We'll see!
(2) Electronic or paper? Paper. (3x5 index cards)
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? Work, intending to use at home too.
(4) Any questions about FV? Not at the moment.
(5) Any dislikes about FV? High-resistance urgent tasks seem to be a weak area.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Urgency tweak: http://www.markforster.net/fv-forum/post/1763749
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Not sure yet.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less: FV rocks, but is this version really final? We'll see!
April 20, 2012 at 20:10 |
Deven
Deven
(1) How long have you been using FV? since inception
(2) Electronic or paper? paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? work and home, two separate lists
(4) Any questions about FV? not at the moment
(5) Any dislikes about FV? none so far
(6) Any tweaks/tips? stick to the rules
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less: very promising system
(2) Electronic or paper? paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? work and home, two separate lists
(4) Any questions about FV? not at the moment
(5) Any dislikes about FV? none so far
(6) Any tweaks/tips? stick to the rules
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less: very promising system
April 22, 2012 at 20:47 |
Christian G.
Christian G.
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?)
(2) Electronic. Using Evernote.
(3) Home and work
(4) No questions
(5) No dislikes
(6) Not everything has to be broken down into 100 parts or even discrete steps. The point (at least for me) is that important things are called to my attention. Also, don't be afraid to delete things that are unrealistic. Deleting things is liberating.
(7) Love this system. It is a more structured version of the way that I have always worked
(8) Working on the task at the top of the list last is brilliant.
(2) Electronic. Using Evernote.
(3) Home and work
(4) No questions
(5) No dislikes
(6) Not everything has to be broken down into 100 parts or even discrete steps. The point (at least for me) is that important things are called to my attention. Also, don't be afraid to delete things that are unrealistic. Deleting things is liberating.
(7) Love this system. It is a more structured version of the way that I have always worked
(8) Working on the task at the top of the list last is brilliant.
April 23, 2012 at 6:19 |
Chris Parker
Chris Parker
(1) Approx. 3 weeks
(2) Paper
(3) All Contexts. I like everything in one spot.
(4) Not really. Having some issue with urgency but I think I may have figured it out thanks to a recent post
(5) Not really. I would like to see some more ideas about dismissal but, to be honest, that's easy enough to work out on your own, right?
(6) Tip - Most may do this but when I write my Chain list, I do so in a second column on the right of the page. This is much like what was being in done in later versions of AF so I like it.
(7) "Little and often." Its a delicate balance between breaking an task down too far and not doing it enough.
(8) A simple and effective blend of intuition, organization and effectiveness.
(2) Paper
(3) All Contexts. I like everything in one spot.
(4) Not really. Having some issue with urgency but I think I may have figured it out thanks to a recent post
(5) Not really. I would like to see some more ideas about dismissal but, to be honest, that's easy enough to work out on your own, right?
(6) Tip - Most may do this but when I write my Chain list, I do so in a second column on the right of the page. This is much like what was being in done in later versions of AF so I like it.
(7) "Little and often." Its a delicate balance between breaking an task down too far and not doing it enough.
(8) A simple and effective blend of intuition, organization and effectiveness.
April 23, 2012 at 10:59 |
Bryan R.
Bryan R.
1) since it was launched
2) paper
3) work
4) Not at present
5) None
6) I am using a sheet of A3 with two columns for my list, which works well for me. I type the tasks in Word down the left hand column, print and then hand write new tasks. When I have filled the page I usually have at least 50% of the tasks complete, so I retype the list with the incomplete tasks and print out a new one. I started off using dots to mark taks but now I use a yellow highlighter as i find this easier.
7) Sometimes there is a temptation to jump the order of the list, if an item higher up it becomes more urgent. I have been dealing with new urgent tasks by temporarily putting the list to one side, doing the new task and going back to the list, which works well for me.
8) Best system I have ever used. Sticking with it.
2) paper
3) work
4) Not at present
5) None
6) I am using a sheet of A3 with two columns for my list, which works well for me. I type the tasks in Word down the left hand column, print and then hand write new tasks. When I have filled the page I usually have at least 50% of the tasks complete, so I retype the list with the incomplete tasks and print out a new one. I started off using dots to mark taks but now I use a yellow highlighter as i find this easier.
7) Sometimes there is a temptation to jump the order of the list, if an item higher up it becomes more urgent. I have been dealing with new urgent tasks by temporarily putting the list to one side, doing the new task and going back to the list, which works well for me.
8) Best system I have ever used. Sticking with it.
April 24, 2012 at 14:35 |
Tim P
Tim P
(1) Since about day 1
(2) Evernote
(3) Mostly home; some work (very little discretionary time)
(4) Nope
(5) None
(6) None
(7) It works great, but I do sometimes have to fight to make sure that my chain isn't mostly just stuff I feel like doing rather than something that I want to do before X.
(8) Been using Autofocus and its variants for several years and this is fantastic. Implementing it with Evernote (which I have had but seldom used for years) is the icing on the cake.
(2) Evernote
(3) Mostly home; some work (very little discretionary time)
(4) Nope
(5) None
(6) None
(7) It works great, but I do sometimes have to fight to make sure that my chain isn't mostly just stuff I feel like doing rather than something that I want to do before X.
(8) Been using Autofocus and its variants for several years and this is fantastic. Implementing it with Evernote (which I have had but seldom used for years) is the icing on the cake.
April 25, 2012 at 1:50 |
Chris
Chris
(1) Used for 3 weeks. Back to GTD. With a simplified GTD I get so much more done and feel more in control.
(2) Paper.
(3) see above.
(2) Paper.
(3) see above.
April 25, 2012 at 4:23 |
brettypooh
brettypooh
1) How long have you been using FV? About 5 weeks
(2) Electronic or paper? paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? Home with micro-lists for procrastination-busting at work
(4) Any questions about FV? No
(5) Any dislikes about FV? I miss how well DWM allowed me to handle appointments and tickler items. I could very clearly see them get closer as time went on. This is important to me because I can and have said on the 20th that a task due on the 21st is "next week." (Said while shopping with checks and writing the date at every store.) I have to be more diligent about consulting the tickler items and checking my future appointments in my calendar now.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Separate lists for routine household chores, with items rotated into the main list.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Asking the right question. I'm not sure why - ingrained AF habits? I tend to pick things that stand out and get careless about the question.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less: It's excellent.
(2) Electronic or paper? paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? Home with micro-lists for procrastination-busting at work
(4) Any questions about FV? No
(5) Any dislikes about FV? I miss how well DWM allowed me to handle appointments and tickler items. I could very clearly see them get closer as time went on. This is important to me because I can and have said on the 20th that a task due on the 21st is "next week." (Said while shopping with checks and writing the date at every store.) I have to be more diligent about consulting the tickler items and checking my future appointments in my calendar now.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Separate lists for routine household chores, with items rotated into the main list.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? Asking the right question. I'm not sure why - ingrained AF habits? I tend to pick things that stand out and get careless about the question.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less: It's excellent.
April 25, 2012 at 14:18 |
R.M. Koske
R.M. Koske
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?)
First Day
(2) Electronic or paper?
Paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
Work
(4) Any questions about FV?
Project?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
None
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
Rather than dots, at right, the number of estimated podoros. (at left, the previous total if task has been rewritten at the end). If less than 1, 0 is written.
I construct the chain and start checking the sum of podoros from the end as usual.
I stop when the sum exceeds 8 . The tasks above (thus above the sum of 8) are moved to the end of list.
Chain is reduced to the 8 podoros.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
The time to check all list (20 pages)
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
Many thanks Mark!
First Day
(2) Electronic or paper?
Paper
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
Work
(4) Any questions about FV?
Project?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
None
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
Rather than dots, at right, the number of estimated podoros. (at left, the previous total if task has been rewritten at the end). If less than 1, 0 is written.
I construct the chain and start checking the sum of podoros from the end as usual.
I stop when the sum exceeds 8 . The tasks above (thus above the sum of 8) are moved to the end of list.
Chain is reduced to the 8 podoros.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
The time to check all list (20 pages)
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
Many thanks Mark!
April 26, 2012 at 19:02 |
Alain C
Alain C
46% of those polled are using paper.
April 29, 2012 at 3:08 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
(1) How long have you been using FV? Since the day I received the email explaining it, which was around 2-3 days after its launch
(2) Electronic or paper? Paper, Moleskine
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) Everything
(4) Any questions about FV? Nope
(5) Any dislikes about FV? Sometimes, when I have to do one thing for 4 to 6 hours, I feel guilty that I am not progressing on my FV list. But that is not FV's fault, I just like to go through my whole FV list every day, and sometimes I get so deep into one long task that I stay on it for hours.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Do not hesitate to strike your mini-list and start again whenever you feel it became less relevant than when you started.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? The Little and Often
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less. This works like magic, I find myself easily a lot more productive than I have ever been, and my brain can't really figure out exactly why, although I know it is the logarithm used in FV.
(2) Electronic or paper? Paper, Moleskine
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc) Everything
(4) Any questions about FV? Nope
(5) Any dislikes about FV? Sometimes, when I have to do one thing for 4 to 6 hours, I feel guilty that I am not progressing on my FV list. But that is not FV's fault, I just like to go through my whole FV list every day, and sometimes I get so deep into one long task that I stay on it for hours.
(6) Any tweaks/tips? Do not hesitate to strike your mini-list and start again whenever you feel it became less relevant than when you started.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why? The Little and Often
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less. This works like magic, I find myself easily a lot more productive than I have ever been, and my brain can't really figure out exactly why, although I know it is the logarithm used in FV.
April 29, 2012 at 13:21 |
Mauricio
Mauricio
<<46% of those polled are using paper.>>
My paper system has not crashed even once, the display is stunningly sharp, and it is compatible with attachments of all formats. It suffered no damage when I dropped it on the floor, and battery life seems to be indefinite. The pen did stop working once, but I was able to replace it for about a dollar. ;D
My paper system has not crashed even once, the display is stunningly sharp, and it is compatible with attachments of all formats. It suffered no damage when I dropped it on the floor, and battery life seems to be indefinite. The pen did stop working once, but I was able to replace it for about a dollar. ;D
April 29, 2012 at 18:04 |
Bernie
Bernie
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?)
For about two weeks (started April 10)
(2) Electronic or paper?
Electronic. I use workflowy.com as the list tool, which is working pretty well.
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
Work. I've tried using it at home a little, but I tend to enjoy being much less organized at home than I am at work.
(4) Any questions about FV?
How do I account for the amount of time available? I find myself sometimes choosing a slice of things to do, starting to attend to them, and then e.g. the work day ends without my having completed them all. When I pick up again, my "wanting to do" function often has changed. Should I redo the selection process then?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
I've had a few items that are unpleasant and long to do that I keep punting to the end of the list, after moving them forward a little bit when forced to by the system. In a weird way, I feel like I have some incentive to keep my list full of other things so that I can keep the unpleasant but necessary things from coming up very often.
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
I use an email reminder service (nudgemail.com, there's others like it), as a way to move tasks to the future when they can't have anything more done on them in the present, and take them off the list in the meantime.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
Picking items to do on the basis of priority as opposed to wanting to do more. I'm getting better at this, but I think this is mostly due to old habits from typical todo-list use.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
A surprisingly effective tool, especially given its simplicity.
For about two weeks (started April 10)
(2) Electronic or paper?
Electronic. I use workflowy.com as the list tool, which is working pretty well.
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
Work. I've tried using it at home a little, but I tend to enjoy being much less organized at home than I am at work.
(4) Any questions about FV?
How do I account for the amount of time available? I find myself sometimes choosing a slice of things to do, starting to attend to them, and then e.g. the work day ends without my having completed them all. When I pick up again, my "wanting to do" function often has changed. Should I redo the selection process then?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
I've had a few items that are unpleasant and long to do that I keep punting to the end of the list, after moving them forward a little bit when forced to by the system. In a weird way, I feel like I have some incentive to keep my list full of other things so that I can keep the unpleasant but necessary things from coming up very often.
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
I use an email reminder service (nudgemail.com, there's others like it), as a way to move tasks to the future when they can't have anything more done on them in the present, and take them off the list in the meantime.
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
Picking items to do on the basis of priority as opposed to wanting to do more. I'm getting better at this, but I think this is mostly due to old habits from typical todo-list use.
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
A surprisingly effective tool, especially given its simplicity.
April 29, 2012 at 19:41 |
Paul Infield-Harm
Paul Infield-Harm
I’m not up to scratch with every thread in this forum, but my sense is that virtually all contributors remain very positive. I’m aware this is only a reflection on those who choose to contribute to the forum, but let’s work with what we’ve got, rather than with what we haven’t.
Interestingly, I also sense that there is far less ‘tweaking’ going on by comparison to older MF systems (or perhaps people are simply being quieter about their tweaking?); and there also appears to be more ‘stickability’ with FV. Of course, there good be a range of variables for this – such as the fact that MF seems pretty intent on this being his last system (and for once I am convinced by this claim), so we might as well stick with it because we’re not going to be graced by a future upgrade. However, I’m hoping that the decrease in tweaking and the stickability is more a reflection of FV's genius and simplicity.
To make an opinion poll easily digestible, how about people respond with a several word answer to each of the following questions:
(1) How long have you been using FV? (and if you’re no longer using FV, what are you using instead?)
(2) Electronic or paper?
(3) In what contexts do you use FV? (ie. at home, work, school, etc)
(4) Any questions about FV?
(5) Any dislikes about FV?
(6) Any tweaks/tips?
(7) Which aspect of FV do you find the hardest to stick to and why?
(8) Final comment in 10 words or less
I’ve given my example in the post below. If interested, perhaps others can follow suit?