Analog: A simple productivity system
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Analog: A simple productivity system
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Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#2This reminds me a little bit of the "bullet journal" technique [0]. It will make a great gift for my very todolist-oriented spouse!
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#3I really love the simplistic, analog system. But, I'm more interested in the metadata of my habits, which is why I prefer a digital based system. How many tasks have I written down in the last week and not touched? How many tasks have I abandoned in the last 30 days. etc
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#4I'm using this in combination with a Python script I wrote that sends me SMS messages for tasks as hard deadlines approach. So, if I get too distracted for some days, because of a technical issue or whatever, to pay much attention to the paper task process, I still get the SMS messages. Since I always check any SMS messages that come in, this prevents me from missing a deadline. And the physical setup of the Analog system means I can always aim my eye at the list that's standing up toward the side of my desk when I have time to do something. And adding something to the paper list is trivial; instead of having to navigate to the right app and type it in, I can just write a quick note on the paper that's always right there within immediate reach.
I think that this combination is great for people with ADHD that can cause one highly compelling task or technical issue to take them over for days so that mundane tasks don't get done (or even noticed) for that period. At least it is for me.
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#5I’ve tried these kind of systems with pre-printed forms/lists/labels on cards or pages. I’m not convinced they’re worth the extra $ beyond my good old fall back: a couple different colored post it note pads and notes organized around the edge of my monitor.
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#6I'm using this in combination with a Python script I wrote that sends me SMS messages for tasks as hard deadlines approach. So, if I get too distracted for some days, because of a technical issue or whatever, to pay much attention to the paper task process, I still get the SMS messages. Since I always check any SMS messages that come in, this prevents me from missing a deadline. And the physical setup of the Analog s…
Have you open sourced it? This sounds like something I'd benefit from.
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#7I’ve tried these kind of systems with pre-printed forms/lists/labels on cards or pages. I’m not convinced they’re worth the extra $ beyond my good old fall back: a couple different colored post it note pads and notes organized around the edge of my monitor.
I have a problem with any paper-based solution which that the paper tends to disappear (or become lost). This effect becomes worse if you work from multiple locations, go on vacation etc. Each transition between work location introduces the potential to lose track of the paper. That said, I think a paper system is a good way to debug the workflow prior to creating a persistent software implementation.
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#8side-note but related: a 1-page year calendar
This is my favorite way to organize a year - a beautiful design, one page to collect everything:
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#9side-note but related: a 1-page year calendar This is my favorite way to organize a year - a beautiful design, one page to collect everything: https://davidseah.com/node/compact-calendar/
+1 for Dsri Seah's tools!
Their Emergent Task Planner kept me on track for years, and I still go back to it when I feel like my day is spiraling out of control. It's a great companion to my existing digital productivity tools.
https://davidseah.com/node/the-emergent-task-planner/
(edit: name correction)
Re: Analog: A simple productivity system
#10I’ve tried these kind of systems with pre-printed forms/lists/labels on cards or pages. I’m not convinced they’re worth the extra $ beyond my good old fall back: a couple different colored post it note pads and notes organized around the edge of my monitor.
I love post it notes! I stick them semi-randomly around my desk/on my monitor and they give me a real-time sense for how I'm doing:
* I stack the completed ones, productive days have fat stacks.
* As my desk gets more cluttered by post it notes, it triggers my desire to "clean" my desk, by accomplishing the work.
* I periodically re-assess the utility of the work, which keeps me focused on the most important things.
* Their specific location on my desk is a fuzzy ranking system; the more inconvenient the sticky note, the higher priority. For example, I'll put a sticky note in the middle of my monitor if it's immensely important to more or less prevent me from working on anything else. Other times they can go next to my keyboard, further way on the edge of a desk, and I've occasionally hidden sticky notes (not entirely) behind speakers, if I just need to remember the information but don't want to be distracted by acting on that info just yet.
It's not very portable, but when I'm at my desk it's worked pretty well to keep me on task.