How to get things done
There are many books out there that try and help people make sense and order of their lives. David Seah has built some fanfare through his system, as has David Allen with his Getting Things Done book. (I guess all David’s are organized) Both of which I’ve tried and haven’t been able to stick to.
The one system that I found really worked for me was writing a task down on a blank business card, stacking them in order of importance and date, then tearing them up and throwing them out when complete.
A couple things I learned from this process were that having record of the things you’ve done is just as important as the things you haven’t done. It’s very frustrating to spend time doing something that you already did and couldn’t remember. Tearing up and throwing out those records isn’t too efficient now that I look at it.
Things can get really messy when you have dozens or hundreds of cards on your desk, especially when you’re looking for a certain card and have to dig through those stacks.
Also, simply writing a task down told myself that I had something to get done and took the responsibility and pressure off of my memory.
I’ve taken those lessons and have found a new system that works even better. Here’s the system that I’ve been using lately and effectively:
1. Create a to-do list with 37signal’s Ta-da list.
2. Make your Ta-da list your homepage so you’ll always be reminded of what you have to get done.
3. Create a Ta-da list for each of the next 5 days and add a day once one passes.
4. Name the list something like, “To do for September 18, 2006�.
5. Add what you think has to be done throughout the day and add any more tasks as they arise.
6. Be specific in how you name the tasks and include an estimate of how long you think it’ll take. Example: Call the accountant at 212-212-2121 and find out what date we have to file our taxes by (15 minutes)
7. Order the tasks from top to bottom from what has to be done now to what can be done later in the day.
8. Check every task off that you get done. It’s important to celebrate every small achievement by taking it’s weight off your shoulders.
9. If you don’t get something done today don’t worry. Just make sure you move it to the next day’s Ta-da list so you don’t forget about it.
This is a really simple process that will become habitual if you can stick to it for a couple of weeks. Unlike Outlook Calendar, you can check your Ta-da List anywhere you have an internet connection, and you can print out a copy of today’s to-do’s if you’re going to be out and about.
Just make sure you update your list and check off the tasks you’ve completed when you get back to your office. You’ll feel much more motivated and efficient if you can stick to a process like this. Give it a try.
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