Ask HN: How do you organize everything you want to do?

I use e-mail as a task list (only file threads when the work is done), and OneNote checklists for the rest (it irks me a bit that not all platforms have proper strikeout formatting for denoting cancelled tasks, but it works).

I also use my calendar for timekeeping (I’ll toggle over to it and move time slots around to plan when I’ll get to the next task on my plate). My priorities are fairly fluid, and I will often move a longer task later in the week and fish out smaller things from my e-mail backlog or checklists to fill that gap.

I just _do_ stuff, and focus on clearing out my inbox and checking out those lists afterwards as part of the cleaning up/re-focusing in between tasks. I also don’t worry too much about not getting something done, because if it doesn’t happen at all, there were certainly more important things that got done in the meantime.

For checklists, OneNote works mostly fine offline (it’s been years since I had trouble with syncing, and was hesitant to move to it because of that) and on all platforms I carry around with me.

I do think about going back to a pure text file set up now and then, but the closest I get is using GitHub flavored Markdown for checklists and roadmaps (most of my READMEs on GitHub have a checklist of what needs to be done, and of late I’ve taken to adding similar lists to my Azure portal for projects).

Again, do stuff. Document it. Plan next steps. Iterate.

I use categories like you, and a combination of Trello for the list and OneNote (could use any note app) for details. I have a 2y.o. and one on the way and manage to find at least 2 hrs a week for a side project, sometimes up to about 8hrs. Yes it’s slow going but I feel better for making some progress.

Okay, this won't be the clearest answer here because I didn't have a system I am extremely happy about right now. However, I have tried alot of the other suggestions here. I will try to offer my opinion on a few tools / systems.

1. Getting Things Done: The flow chart he provides is the key feature of the book. Most of the other advice is mediocre, in my opinion. https://lifedev.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/gtd-workflow....

2. org-mode: It is incredibly powerful, honestly, the most powerful productivity / todo app. However, I found that this power slowed down my process, and I find that kills my productivity. If you love powerful, complex tools, org-mode is for you.

3. Todoist: it is an adequate list app; if thats all you need, it works well. Also, it has an open api, but I never used it.

4. Todo.txt / Markor: this is my current setup. Markor is a really nice android app; https://github.com/gsantner/markor . I generally like the philosophy behind todo.txt. It forces you to simplify your todos. My main problem is that notifications aren't a part of the programs at all.

I hope this is useful to someone.

You’re procrastinating. Your organization is probably not the problem.

My trick: my work laptop has all my favorite websites blocked in the host file. I do my most productive work at coffee shops on that laptop. My todo list is a page in my notebook. I suggest creating a place to work, and only do work there, nothing else.

For anyone that already uses git for work, it doesn't seem like much of a difference from normal workflows.

I also use git to handling backup and syncing of a bunch of personal data.

One of my projects for the new year is I've started keeping a daily journal both for personal stuff and for work.

I have a git repo with two folders "Personal" and "Work". I run "vim `date -I`" to open a file for the current day and add to it periodically throughout the day. Each time I add something I just commit and push like I do already for work.

I've found that it has been helpful at work in particular for maintaining a running log of what I'm planning to do and what I've actually gotten around to.

Like all new years resolution things, time will tell if I actually keep it up.

But I guess circling back around: Git works really well for syncing things between machines. That's sort of what it's for after all.