5 alternatives to the classic to-do list

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Keeping a to-do list, but still not doing anything? Then this article is for you! It will guide you through five alternative ways to maintain your to-do lists.

A to-do list is a necessary element of effective work. In theory. In practice, to-do lists often don't lead to productivity. Why? There are many reasons.

Sometimes we sit back and hesitate to complete simple tasks, sometimes we procrastinate and put off solving difficult ones until later. A to-do list should motivate, but often, on the contrary, it makes us disheartened. Especially if at the end of the day you see that most of the planned has not been done.

When all of this is superimposed on each other, it seems that making the lists takes longer than the implementation of the tasks listed in them. In an article on Benjamin Franklin's list system, we talked about some of the secrets of making effective to-do lists (getting things done, prioritizing, adapting to-do lists for changing circumstances, etc.). In this article, Lifehacker will introduce you to five new and original ways of maintaining lists.

1–3–5

What is a regular to-do list? That's right, this is a numbered list of tasks for the day (or month / year, if we are talking about long-term planning). Forget about it.

Try to build your to-do list according to the 1-3-5 principle.

How it works?

Write down one main task, three medium-sized and important tasks, and five small ones, which, if there is a lack of time, can be postponed until tomorrow. Do this in the evening so that in the morning you have a clear idea of what is on your agenda today.

If your field of activity is so dynamic that you cannot predict (not) the appearance of new urgent cases, then leave a few triples or fives vacant. This will allow you to make your task list as flexible as possible.

Be prepared for the fact that when building a to-do list according to the 1-3-5 principle, you may not always be able to cross out all the items from it. For example, circumstances may change, and the main task on the current day will become impossible. But you can make a set of three tasks of medium importance or five - small.

The main advantage of this approach is that there is no need to prioritize. You list a priori what you think is relevant for the next day.

Bullet Journal

What is the main problem with paper planning? Once you cross out a task from the list, you forget about it, and you will never guess when the details of its implementation (phone numbers, dates, notes, etc.) may be needed again. Electronic planners have partially solved this problem - most allow you to link to past tasks, group them, etc. But what about those who prefer a pleasant rustle of paper to a touchscreen? A web designer has come up with a system that streamlines paper planning. Her name is Bullet Journal.

How it works?

Lifehacker has already talked about the system of quick notes invented by Carroll in one of his past publications. Let us recall the basic principles.

First of all, number the pages of your diary. On the first page, create a table of contents - it will help you find the information you need. Then make a calendar for the month: days and days of the week, but on the contrary - tasks and events that will definitely not change. On another page, create a to-do list for those 30 days. It is important to use notes (checkboxes, circles, etc.) to visually read the information easier. In this way, you can make a to-do list for both the day and the week. The main thing is not to forget to include page numbers in the table of contents.

Anti-to-do

The to-do list should be a motivator that lifts your spirits: “I have so many things to do, and how nice it is to cross out another fad!”. But in fact, many, opening their to-do list at the end of the day, fall into despondency: “I'm a lazy person! 6 tasks out of 10! Unfulfilled tasks pull the soul like a stone to the bottom.

But there is a way out - in parallel with the to-do-list, keep an anti-to-do tape.

How it works?

According to Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen, anti-to-do is a process where you write down not what you have to do, but what you have already done, your accomplishments.

Every time you do something useful during the day, write it down on your anti-to-do list on the other side of the card. Each time you write down your achievement, you will receive a dose of endorphins, like the mouse that presses the button in the cage and gets a piece of food for it. And at the end of the day, before you prepare a new card for tomorrow, take a look at today's card, at your anti-to-do list, and rejoice at how many things you actually did that day. Then tear and discard the card. Another day is not wasted.

This way you can further motivate yourself to complete this to-do list.

By the way, the iDoneThis app works in a similar way. It also helps to understand what you are spending your time on and what useful things you did in a day, week, month.

Zen productivity system

GTD is a great way to improve personal performance. However, David Allen's method is not suitable for everyone. So another famous productivity guru, Leo Babauta, decided to simplify this system and came up with Zen to Done (ZTD).

How it works?

ZTD is all about simplicity and a focus on doing and doing here and now. Babauta identified five major GTD problems and proposed solutions. For to-do lists, this means the following:

1. Make simple topical lists. For example, on a card called “Job,” write down only tasks related to your professional activity.

2. Keep the list up to date. Always carry a gadget or notebook with you, where you can write down suddenly ideas or tasks.

3. Be relevant. List only the tasks that are really important to the to-do list.

Stop Lists

At first glance, the term "stop doing list" completely contradicts to-do planning. But only at first.

How it works?

In the stop doing list, you also write down your affairs, but not those that you need and have to do, but those that you want to get rid of. For example, you want to quit smoking, stop using social networks and stop eating sweets at night. These are the points of your stop doing sheet. In fact, this is one of the ways to combat chronophages.

Chris Guillebeau, in his book The Art of Non-Conformity, writes:

The best way to stop wasting time on nonsense is to create a stop list. A stop list is a list of things that you no longer want to do. It's even better than a to-do list because it lets you understand what is pulling you down.

Chris himself makes stop-lists annually on New Year's holidays. This allows him to assess how much progress he has made over the past 12 months.

In order for the stop doing sheet to work, it is important to remember about timing. Count how long the habit you want to get rid of is eating up. Then set yourself a time limit on it (no more than 20 minutes a day on YouTube) and gradually lower it.

Summary

So, if classic to-do planning doesn't work for you, try one of the alternatives above. Better to combine them: make not long lists, but short ones with one main and several secondary tasks; keep convenient and understandable records; motivate yourself with a list of your accomplishments, and take the time to make a list of habits you need to break.

If you have your own approaches to making lists of tasks, share them in the comments.