Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#1

Post by mahringer_a » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 9:58 AM UTC

Any models, routines or hacks that you use and can highly recommend?

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#2

Post by sdrothrock » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 12:18 PM UTC

I practice Inbox Zero. Every e-mail I get is a task and once I finish it, I archive it. Things that I need to prioritize get a star or a label.

The nice thing about this is that I can add to the task list easily by e-mailing myself and check on past things by just looking through things I've sent to myself. :)

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#3

Post by devarist » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 12:46 PM UTC

I also practise Inbox Zero. The other thing I do is make a daily list of things I MUST do that day in Devarist (www.devarist.com), everything else is in long term storage, jira, email etc. If I find my mind wandering I review the list and get back on point.

Disclaimer: I built Devarist.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#4

Post by cableshaft » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

devarist wrote: post #3

I also practise Inbox Zero. The other thing I do is make a daily list of things I MUST do that day in Devarist (www.devarist.com), everything else is in long term storage, jira, email etc. If I find my mind wandering I review the list and get back on point. Disclaimer: I built Devarist.

Devarist looks pretty cool. I signed up for the free account and if it works well I'll probably upgrade. I've been keeping track of this stuff on a paper notebook but I think this will be more useful.

I'm a little worried that there seems to be a lack of searching through notes. I understand that might just be a feature that's not enabled for the free version, but personally I'd like to see how every feature of the site would work, if possible, before upgrading (even if the search is only for the limit of the past 10 notes).

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#5

Post by zhte415 » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 2:34 PM UTC

I, simply, remember them.

Inbox Zero seriously depreciates my effectiveness. Not every email is a task, some are echos of tasks and some are simply OK to let sit.

By becoming task-based, a lot of the people-based stuff can be left behind. And making people-stuff tasks, well, the people part that has just become a task, and is not a check-off and not a meaningful interaction.

I recommend taking a look at the relationships and tasks you with to garner/complete and go from there. Managing yourself is not managing day-to-day tasks, but is.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#6

Post by devarist » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 2:35 PM UTC

cableshaft wrote: post #4

devarist wrote: post #3

I also practise Inbox Zero. The other thing I do is make a daily list of things I MUST do that day in Devarist (www.devarist.com), everything else is in long term storage, jira, email etc. If I find my mind wandering I review the list and get back on point. Disclaimer: I built Devarist.

Devarist looks pretty cool. I signed up for the free account and if it works well I'll probably upgrade. I've been keeping track of this stuff on a paper notebook but I think this will be more useful. I'm a little worried that there seems to be a lack of searching through notes. I understand that might just be a feature that's not enabled for the free version, but personally I'd like to see how every feature of the s…

Thanks @cableshaft, glad you like it!

Search is near the top of my Trello board, it's coming soon.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#7

Post by mahringer_a » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 3:05 PM UTC

Anyone got experience w. the Eisenhower Box?

http://jamesclear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/eisenhower-...

Re: Ask HN: How do you prioritise your daily tasks and to-dos?

#8

Post by spike021 » Mon, Jul 27, 2015, 3:30 PM UTC

I've been trying to get into using Trello more often. Usually I'll set up checklists for subsets of tasks and cards for larger projects or meetings (so I can add separate notes, files, etc.). It works pretty well. Just drag 'finished' cards into a 'Completed' pile or similar, check off items on a list, etc. Also easy to add people in to a board as collaborators, for instance if you need a manager overlooking your progress or teammates to vote on X task (maybe prioritize bug-fix, etc.).