Get Everything Done

Hi Mark, I'm amazed at how productive you are in testing out new systems!

I've been getting on OK with Serial No-List since the start of the challenge. I like having a "fresh start" every day, while having the reassurance that everything is captured in previous pages. I was away for 4 days on a break, and every task on my list was an enjoyable one - back to more varied tasks today!

Almost cleared my first 4 pages (on a good day around 20 tasks cleared/day) then ran into a very busy time at work last week. Back to my lists this weekend and focusing on clearing those older pages using L&O.

Still sticking with Gerry's Ultra Simple Guide to TM for now. I am finding myself flipping through lots of pages, but it is nice to leave the dayjob page behind when it's time to focus on other areas. And his instructions allow me to use a page for no-list or a quick scheduling of my day, so i get to use the thinking tools i like in addition to the lists.

Still early days though.

Well, poop. I fell off the simple scanning wagon and have returned to the straight random method. I loved it initially, but the simple scanning list got too long and too "heavy" (it built up resistance to the list and everything on it). When I started using random again, I noticed I was doing so many incredible things that were important but not urgent. I even did my taxes. The problem with random has always been deadlines, so I have created a set of 7 principles I will try and follow for the random method. Some of these were inspired loosely by Paul Loomans' "Time surfing." (Which I love, by the way):

1. Enter anything on the list that needs to be done, knowing that it will be worked on
2. Run the randomizer according to Mark's randomizer system and work on the chosen task. The task does not have to be completed; working "little and often" is best.
3. Take short breaks before running the randomizer again. (Loomans)
4. Give full attention to unscheduled interruptions and urgencies. Life happens. (Loomans)
5. If necessary, work on deadlines for one hour the day before the deadline. If they are on the list, cross them off as done when completed and/or reenter them if they are recurring tasks, as per the randomizer rules.
6. Use a trusted system to track files and notes and some daily record of events or journal. I use Obsidian because of its internal links. Evernote works for some as well, or daylite. or whatever. You may hit on a task and have no idea why it's there or what you were thinking. A simple search in my files usually clarifies it for me. That search, if necessary, is part of doing the task. This is important because the randomizer method tends to add tremendous focus - I have no idea what's on the rest of the list when I'm working randomly. I could care less at the moment, which is fantastic for focus, but I might easily forget why a task is on there once I get to it. However, part of the random process involves scanning tasks from one "hit" to another; it's not particularly deep.
7. Don't abandon the random method for urgencies and deadlines; get back to it as soon as possible. For me, I find the rhythm of the random list extremely important. Earlier important but not urgent stuff won't get done unless I spend time working the list randomly. I think that's actually where its power lies. With other list methods, some items linger for months. For me, anyway. That actually can't happen the way the random rules are set up to favour older tasks, as long as I keep working the list randomly.

Not sure if I've fallen off the wagon or not.

I entered the challenge on a Dreams / no-list basis but (having read Margaret1's post on here), I am trying serial no-list. Maybe I'm still clinging to the back of the wagon by my fingertips.

Incidentally, for those who like digital solutions, Twosapp is excellent for serial no-list (as well as other things). Haven't really thought about its application to any of Mark's other systems.

I'm out.

I've switched to Fast-FVP with a new question: "What am I hesitant to avoid doing?"

My commitments aren't tightly regulated enough for Resistance Zero to work at the moment.

Still hanging in there with Gerry's Ultra-Simple Guide to Time Mgmt but seeing the limitations in a page dedicated to work, a page dedicated to my cohousing community, etc. There are some days when I need to blend the two, and I find I simply don't go back over the pages as often as I think Gerry intends in his instructions.

I can view this as me not committing to the system, or that the system is not for me. I tend toward the latter; still, there are aspects of it I like and i'm willing to stick with it some more to find out what they are.

I still have recurring tasks appearing in my Google Calendar or Remember the Milk; I find I use RTM when I'm out and about and want to quickly record a task to remember or when i want to forward an email to RTM if I need to follow up on something. Digital capture is still a vital part of my daily life, and the pad of paper is not always with me.

But I have discovered I like having a pad of paper at my elbow. Useful for so many jottings, note taking, noodling, fast calculations, etc that I will always keep one nearby after this challenge is over.

Just realised the end date for the Lenten Challenge has passed without me noticing! I've enjoyed using Serial No List and it's kept me more or less on track with what had to be done. I'm quite tempted to experiment with a different system now, and there have been a lot of old and new ones discussed on this site over the past few months.