I recently started making small handwritten TODO lists that I keep in my pocket. It has significantly improved my productivity. Every morning while I'm getting ready, I usually think of about seven or eight things I really want to get done that day, and if I'm lucky, I'll actually do one or two. With this method I find I'm getting about four or five things done.
I find that the act of actually handwriting the TODO lists helps solidify exactly what needs to be done and in what order. Keeping it in my pocket is also a nice mnemonic. I'm always feeling the paper when I reach for my wallet or something so I don't forget. I keep a pen in my pocket too so I can add stuff to the list and cross things off as I finish, which is really satisfying. It's also useful for capturing various little thoughts, observations, project ideas, and other things that float into my mind at random points.
It works better than task management apps or calendar reminders on my phone. It's a pain to configure those sorts of things and I actively try to avoid staring at my phone too much. Sometimes the old-fashioned approaches are the best.
I have never been fond of task management applications.
I have an urgent list I carry in my pocket, and a future and someday list stapled to my wall where my desk is at home.
As mentioned above, it’s best to write and start with small tasks like “make my bed” since confidence is built on accomplishment and you’ll feel good about it.
I though would like o state that sleep and being well-rested is the backbone of getting things done. Some may even add exercise to the mix.
Exactly. It helps narrowing down things to do with less brain activity on it but sometimes in the downside it can increase anxiety and frustration since the feedback of not done anything is constantly reminded. but that works. Very much like how reinforcement learning is successful. https://hackernoon.com/this-is-how-i-waste-my-day-with-lapto...
This is what I do too. I have a pad of sticky notes on my desk and each morning I write what I want to work on today in order of priority. Then I schedule some time in my calendar to work on each thing. I cross off the things I finish, so on the following morning I can see what I didn't finish the day before and add it to the current day if need be before throwing the note out and starting the next one.
I find that the act of actually handwriting the TODO lists helps solidify exactly what needs to be done and in what order. Keeping it in my pocket is also a nice mnemonic. I'm always feeling the paper when I reach for my wallet or something so I don't forget. I keep a pen in my pocket too so I can add stuff to the list and cross things off as I finish, which is really satisfying. It's also useful for capturing various little thoughts, observations, project ideas, and other things that float into my mind at random points.
It works better than task management apps or calendar reminders on my phone. It's a pain to configure those sorts of things and I actively try to avoid staring at my phone too much. Sometimes the old-fashioned approaches are the best.