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Using a list to manage executive function

drmaciver.substack.com

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Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#51

Post by westurner »

westurner wrote: post #22
westurner wrote: post #18

todo.txt is a lightweight text format that a number of apps support: http://todotxt.org/ . From http://todotxt.org/todo.txt : (priority) task text +project @context (A) Call Mom @Phone +Family (A) Schedule annual checkup +Health (B) Outline chapter 5 +Novel @Computer (C) Add cover sheets @Office +TPSReports x Download Todo.txt mobile app @Phone From "What does my engineering manager do all day?" (2021) https://news.y…

Hipster PDA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipster_PDA

"Use a work journal" (2024-07; 1083 pts) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40950584

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#52

Post by agumonkey »

mcook08 wrote: post #45

Simple hack that has helped me is changing “todo” to “maybedo”. It reminds me that at some point I thought whatever task was worth doing but gives me the freedom to do something else as needed. Most weeks, I make a “maybedo” list at the beginning of the work week on my whiteboard and erase items as they get completed. Erasing is just as satisfying as crossing off and keeps me out of the hyper-evaluative state of comp…

I also try to make maybedo-plus-fun-first-step so I get inspired by a concrete task next time I see this item. Otherwise the list increase anxiety.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#53

Post by hirvi74 »

JoeCianflone wrote: post #47

To any and all people with ADHD reading this and the comments (like myself): this article is not for you and it’s ok that you can’t do this. Your brain doesn’t work this way and it’s ok and you’re not bad.

> you’re not bad.

If only others thought as much. I honestly feel like treating ADHD is more for the benefit of people in my life than for me.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#54

Post by StimDeck »

bongodongobob wrote: post #34
paulsutter wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Taking a year off is wonderful and I recommend it for everyone

Mmm, yes, I love summering in the North of Italy, I don't know why more people just don't do that.

Jokes aside, this is more attainable than one would think. At least for Americans going to Europe.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#55

Post by geoelectric »

JoeCianflone wrote: post #47

To any and all people with ADHD reading this and the comments (like myself): this article is not for you and it’s ok that you can’t do this. Your brain doesn’t work this way and it’s ok and you’re not bad.

I am ADHD and this article resonated with me. Stuff I need to do sporadically floats in and back out of my head, and it’s rare that I’ll bring myself to act on them immediately. The technique is simply to have a pad on me and write a task down if it floats in.

Even without an external todo system that reinforces remembering the task tomorrow, but the article acknowledges you can reconcile with an external system at the end of the day.

Would I stick with it? Dunno. But the general ideas are the same as extracting a Today list in GTD daily (given that the original system was designed around index cards and paper), or as the way BuJo doesn’t roll over unfinished tasks from the last rapid log automatically and makes you define them again each day. In the latter case, the repetition of recalling and recording the task every day is an explicit feature.

As for putting things on the list as you do them, I actually have an electronic version of that on my phone already as a shortcut called Give Me Credit.

If I ask Siri (on phone, HomePod, etc) to give me credit for a task it goes into Todoist as a Today task in my Credit project, prefixed with a cash icon ready for me to immediately check off. That way I don’t give myself the impression I never get anything done just because it’s not sufficiently planned first.

ADHD is an umbrella term and we’re all a little differently affected. I don’t think there is such a thing as “this organizational system isn’t for ADHD folks.” It’s just not for some folks, period.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#56

Post by barrystaes »

cl3misch wrote: post #36
alentred wrote: post #32

It is funny how these methods get rediscovered and reinvented over and over again. I believe that it is absolutely necessary for each to have their own "framework" for this kind of things, but it also falls into the category of things somewhat missing from our education. I wish someone had explained to me, earlier in my life, some basic psychological principles and some practices that are tried many times by differen…

I think German school system tried to teach me these systems, or at least offered optional courses to learn about them. As a pretentious 16 year old I couldn't have cared less. Maybe it's hard to educate people about it before they experienced the struggle themselves.

So true. A solution presented before the problem, IS the problem. Goes for kids and adults, and entire organizations! Quote mine.

Also, this todo system is basically what I apply on chaos-days, but with the addition that I preferably start next days list at end of day, as to remind me of momentum and focus.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#57

Post by gen220 »

largbae wrote: post #23

This may not be optimal but it works for me: everything that I promise to do, even to myself, goes on the calendar. If I am really going to do something, I should have a plan of _when_, and that plan is in the form of a calendar invite to myself. This does 4 good things and one bad one. Good: 1. It fills up my calendar, which gives me a better chance of getting time to do things. 2. It teaches me to say No to somethi…

I do this! I’ve also found it useful to make a calendar event that’s called some variant of “empty” time

At peak executive function load I try to do 2 45m blocks per day.

This is for browsing HN, staring into space, etc.

Sometimes you work right through it because you’re in flow, other times it’s a godsend rest.

It’s nice to leave yourself little presents like that!

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#58

Post by smeej »

heywoods wrote: post #28
smeej wrote: post #12

I've been (semi-)intentionally unemployed for a little over a year now, and I reached a point a couple months ago where I just LOST IT at the prospect of having to continue to make decisions at every moment of every day about what to do next. I even have a daily checklist of about 15 things I need to do every day to keep making at least minimal progress toward my goals, but because none of them had assigned times, I…

How do you juggle errands and other ad-hoc responsibilities? I really like your approach and I’ve implemented something similar but I struggle with that 3rd bucket I’m trying to get at. I would really appreciate your input!

Errands usually get pinned on an appointment in the same general area. I try to stack those on one of two days a week so I'm not getting interrupted every day.

If there are random phone calls and stuff to make, they usually and up right before lunch if I finish the checklist early, or right after otherwise.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#59

Post by smeej »

bongodongobob wrote: post #31
smeej wrote: post #12

I've been (semi-)intentionally unemployed for a little over a year now, and I reached a point a couple months ago where I just LOST IT at the prospect of having to continue to make decisions at every moment of every day about what to do next. I even have a daily checklist of about 15 things I need to do every day to keep making at least minimal progress toward my goals, but because none of them had assigned times, I…

This site is insane. I can't imagine being unemployed for over a year. If I were unemployed for a month I'd be fucked. Your life sounds incredibly difficult, my heart goes out to you, I'm so glad you are coping with gliding through life. Edit: After reconsidering, it's true. Given a year of reflection, we can all better ourselves. Let us all realize it's only a year of not working that can fix us.

I highly recommend living well within your means, and having simple tastes. I've never made more than $80k in a year, but rarely have I spent more than half of it.

Most expenses are hackable. I bought the most reliable car with the most ubiquitous used part availability. It's 17 years old and has 235k miles on it. I pay $180 per year for my phone plan (unlimited talk/text and 5GB data on a Verizon MVNO). I've cut my own hair for years using a goofy tool called a Robocut. It's 4 inches long all over (I'm female). People tell me they love the layers. If you can pull enough of a cash cushion out before the beginning of the year so you can spend out of your savings, if you make or realize capital gains on $21,800 of income, you can get health insurance for I like working in startups, so it's normal for me to be out of work for ~1 year out of every 4 or 5.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#60

Post by smeej »

bongodongobob wrote: post #34
paulsutter wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Taking a year off is wonderful and I recommend it for everyone

Mmm, yes, I love summering in the North of Italy, I don't know why more people just don't do that.

If you love summering in the north of Italy, it would explain why your savings rate is apparently awful.
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