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Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

ryanwaggoner.com

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Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#11

Post by feral »

I just use Google Tasks, and have done so successfully for well over a year.

The feature set is minimal, but improves occasionally. Its very fast to navigate around with the keyboard shortcuts, and it supports multiple lists. I tend to make long and short term lists in several categories (work, personal, hobby, reading).

Most importantly, and I cannot stress this enough - it is always available to me. It doesn't go missing. It doesn't have synch problems. I can get to it from any computer or phone I use. The iPhone integration is good. And its already open in my e-mail window.

The fact that its simple, ubiquitous, and just works, outweighs the advantages of more feature rich systems, for me, in practice.

Also, if you go to: https://mail.google.com/tasks/ig?pli=1 you can get a fullscreen view.

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#12

Post by nimms »

I think the author is right about us taking too much on. It seems in this day and age, any extra time that comes from an increase in productivity is immediately filled with another task, which brings with it an increase in stress, and the first things to suffer are your ancillary tasks...like keeping todo lists.

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#14

Post by ftrain »

jpeterson wrote: post #3

org-mode

Seconding that. If you're an emacs user, the way org-mode (http://orgmode.org/) makes it easy to capture and file information is invaluable, and it allows you to knit together outlines, files, URLs, etc. into tasks in a very transparent way. The manual is thorough and detailed and the community is engaged. After two months using it more and more I feel confident that everything I need is in there, and the agenda view is fantastic. Plus it's basically one big UTF-8 file. I still procrastinate, but I definitely know a lot more about the tasks I'm avoiding. Which is major progress for me.

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#15

Post by runjake »

I use Notational Velocity (http://notational.net) and a single text note within it (I get to it by typing "todo"). I have sections for "this week", "next week", "this month", "next month", and "someday".

If I weren't using NV, I'd use Notepad.exe or TextMate or TextEdit. I wouldn't use anything more complex than those.

I adjust things on my (multiple times a) weekly review. Stuff that needs to be done on a specific day goes on my calendar accordingly.

I carry around a small stack of 20 or so plain index cards for on-the-go. If I come up with an idea or a todo, I write it down on the card in biggish letters, any notes about the task or idea also go on the card. One card per idea or task.

When I'm near my inbox, I chuck the cards I wrote on in there, or I immediately file them in Notational Velocity.

I've tried and wasted money on paper day planners, Things, Omnifocus, Evernote, Google Tasks, GTD Tracks, RTM, etc. I found they were all too cumbersome and annoying to set up and maintain.

Likewise a paper list by itself was too much crossing out, moving around and erasing.

I advise people to stay away from 43Folders, Lifehacker, and the like to avoid the "GTD method of the week" distractions. Use what works and is not a pain in the ass.

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#16

Post by tarmstrong »

nimms wrote: post #12

I think the author is right about us taking too much on. It seems in this day and age, any extra time that comes from an increase in productivity is immediately filled with another task, which brings with it an increase in stress, and the first things to suffer are your ancillary tasks...like keeping todo lists.

What about "this day and age" is causing poor time management?

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#18

Post by nzjames »

My issue with GTD and trying to use a todo system is there seems to be an assumption that you are able to quantify the time/effort to do each of your daily tasks.

Developing software and solving problems all day I can't often gauge by looking at a list how long different tasks are going to take or how much they'll make my head hurt.

I can do the straight forward things quickly, I try to stay on top of things I need to do but have been putting off. But I always seem to get stuck and fill up todo lists with thing's I've go no idea how to get off the lists and I don't believe it is as simple as breaking them up into actions.

I don't need a method for managing tasks, I need something to structure and support arbitrary problem solving.

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#19

Post by chime »

runjake wrote: post #15

I use Notational Velocity ( http://notational.net ) and a single text note within it (I get to it by typing "todo"). I have sections for "this week", "next week", "this month", "next month", and "someday". If I weren't using NV, I'd use Notepad.exe or TextMate or TextEdit. I wouldn't use anything more complex than those. I adjust things on my (multiple times a) weekly review. Stuff that needs to be done on a specific…

I created http://untodos.com last year with similar groupings (today/soon/whenever). I used it for about a year but stopping using it because adding/removing tasks individually was too much work and I much preferred managing nested todo lists in a text-editor with code-collapse features (so I could hide entire sublists). Earlier this year I created http://bulletxt.com (text-editor like todo/outline app with collapse) and have been using it ever since. I really need to finish it up because quite a few HN people have been using it lately.

Funny you mention GTD. I'm driving across the country and earlier today started listening to the GTD audiobook. Five minutes in, I stopped it. Just not my cup of tea honestly. I listened to Feynman and Kurt V. instead.

Re: Is there such a thing as a sustainable todo system?

#20

Post by peterbessman »

I've been unable to beat a plain old notebook, and not for lack of trying. I don't think technology has solved this problem yet.

In the digital age, I use a simple "stuff.txt" file in my dropbox folder, which I manipulate with droptext on my iphone when I'm on the go. It's my notebook in the cloud, and, for me, it sucks least.

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