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Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

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Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#41

Post by Brajeshwar »

Write it in a notebook (paper) with a pen. Using a notebook, I write as usual from the beginning, but I insert TODOs/tasks starting from the back (end) of the notebook and backward. I usually draw a square as a checkbox for the items.

Every page or section (in a page) has checkboxes for the notes or a way to tick it off as done. I keep checking them off when I’m done reviewing them or if they are transferred digitally or “consumed” with meaning and context. Sometimes, a page lingers longer (working on it), and I need to return to it a few times; I use commonly available tiny stickies that stick a tad out of the page.

So, my finished notebook will not just have notes and sketches but will always have a tick (done mark) at the top of the pages and no stickies sticking out.

I’ve also found that if I need to remember anything in the next minutes or hours, I set a timer[1] on my watch. Instead of taxing my brain to remember something, it is easier to jolt back when the timer kicks in.

1. https://brajeshwar.com/2023/timer/

Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#42

Post by Yhippa »

This will expose me as a tech boomer, but when stuff really piles up, I end up using Notepad++. There's something basic about multiple tabs with just basic text that works for me. I'm not sure why I don't revert to Sublime as it does the same exact thing!

I like that I can have multiple tabs and I just organize tasks by priority. Then I don't delete them when I'm done but I offload them to the bottom of the file. That's really helpful when I'm trying to remember something I did a long time ago.

Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#43

Post by zwaps »

I am locked in on Apple software by now, mostly due to work hardware.

In that case, i find that really only the Apple reminders app makes remotely sense.

Apple does not allow any other todo app to have meaningful integration with os features like siri. For instance, i add stuff to named lists with voice commands or text inputs from any device like watch, phone etc in a second. Remind me to buy X, add y ti that list, remind me tomorrow at x to do y, do i have z on my list h… stuff like that works.

By contrast, no other application is allowed such direct access and hence, by comparison, sucks by a mile. You always have ti use extra short cuts or open the app, or use special weird commands in siri. Half the time, tasks still end up on Reminders. So yeah

Reminders isn’t exactly the best todo app, but then again adding new items is really easy and it is simple. So i use it

Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#44

Post by corytheboyd »

Calendar app. If it’s day of stuff (travel, etc.) I make a list in a notes app and check things off, make sure it’s all checked off before locking the door and rolling out. I’m sure some crazy Kanban thing works for others, but it just never did for me, too much worrying about setting the right metadata on cards so I can aggregate them later (I don’t). Basically, a series of ad-hoc events and lists, and turns out it’s fine for me.

Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#45

Post by Brajeshwar »

AlwaysNewb23 wrote: post #4
PaulHoule wrote: post #2

Paper notes. Either a spiral bound notebooks or spoiled prints that come out of making things like https://mastodon.social/@UP8/111275639588948846 Nothing electronic because of problems with object constancy: I am already looking at a screen and don't want to lose what I am looking at, have to navigate through lots of tabs and icons to find my note taking application, then navigate through lots of tabs and icons to g…

This is what I like to do, but I lose things in my notes sometimes.

Have an indicator for done pages (tick marks in the corner works for me), and then for not-done pages that you need to get back, add those tiny stickies and let it stick out of the page.

Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#47

Post by AlwaysNewb23 »

croo wrote: post #46

I wrote them down and create a very badly described ticket in the backlog after the meeting, eg title only. I learned that if i forget something it doesn't really matter - if it's important it will resurface and if it won't then it was not important enough.

I suppose it really depends on how flexible what you're working on is.

Re: Ask HN: What are your 'mental hacks' to remember small tasks?

#48

Post by HenryBemis »

Journals. One for work, one for personal. I searched a lot on the matter and came up with 'codes' (square is task, triangle is meeting, !, ?)(squares and triangles are striken off or crossed out depending on Completed or Cancelled). Date, topic, participants in red. Text in blue.

For individual tasks (buy milk, empty washing machine, etc.) I use visual queue. Laundry room door open = washer/dryer. Post-it notes on the door, so before I exit I remember to take X thing with me. Also shopping list goes on post-it and at door.

Because I am getting old and stupid, I also stick a post-it the 'previous night' on what I plan to have tomorrow for lunch (e.g. 'steak, 2 eggs, 2 carrots'). I usually plan my day the previous night, so I plan stuff, spread out post-it notes and I don't have to 'think' the next day.

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