Ask HN: I have 1000 things in mind but get done 0. How do you make it work?

#1

Post by tuxwins » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 1:03 AM UTC

I get 100s of ideas that are mostly about additional learning tangential to my Software job or growing skills and I'm so excited about them. If I get through 10% of them, it would be really fulfilling. I know I'm unable to get through even any, and that is very unsettling. How do I get over this?

Re: Ask HN: I have 1000 things in mind but get done 0. How do you make it work?

#2

Post by radkapital » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 1:09 AM UTC

Have you tried using GTD method with a task tracking tool? It might help in your case.

Re: Ask HN: I have 1000 things in mind but get done 0. How do you make it work?

#3

Post by tuxwins » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 1:17 AM UTC

radkapital wrote: post #2

Have you tried using GTD method with a task tracking tool? It might help in your case.

I have followed plaintext productivity. http://plaintext-productivity.net/2-11-standing-lists-for-gt... The problem though is following it studiously.

Re: Ask HN: I have 1000 things in mind but get done 0. How do you make it work?

#4

Post by gshdg » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 1:52 AM UTC

Go through your list once a week. Identify the things you must do that week or something important will blow up. Then add one, and no more than one, additional goal for the week.

We tend to overestimate how much we can get done in a week but underestimate what we can do in dozens of weeks. We overestimate what we can accomplish in a year but underestimate what we can accomplish in 10 years.

Re: Ask HN: I have 1000 things in mind but get done 0. How do you make it work?

#5

Post by WheelsAtLarge » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 2:11 AM UTC

It's actually pretty simple.

1) Make a list. It does not have to be perfect. Just get started.

2) Divide it into 2 lists, need to do and fun to do

3) Order list in terms of importance, both lists

4)Pick one in need-to-do list and plan on how you will accomplish

5) Once 4 is done pick an item from the fun to-do list and once done go to 4 and start again.

6) Continue until done

Note: Review and reorder the list every 2 months or whatever period you pick. Make sure to follow the order. It's easy to skip what you really don't want to do.

The hardest part is getting started. Once you start to see accomplishments it will motivate you to continue.

Keeping the list in your mind does not work. It just gives you an excuse not to start. Also trying to accomplish everything as fast as possible will just force you to quit when it gets too difficult. Set a pace you can follow.