Comments on: The To-Do List: Do or Do Not. There is No Try.

By: Jeff Grigg

Jeff Grigg — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 10:36:21 +0000

In reply to Tim Dyck. Interesting. I find Gantt charts particularly useful for work tasks with strong dependencies. Do you find that many of your tasks have strong dependencies?

By: Tim Dyck

Tim Dyck — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 01:35:48 +0000

We use Gantt chart’s at work and I use a modified version in my personal life. Unlike a to do list the Gantt chart puts specific order of items an a priority and basically builds it’s own schedule. Don’t know were your at just check and your back on track. You can keep it in your phone and delete items as they are done or add items as they come up.

By: Mark Volkmer

Mark Volkmer — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 12:06:40 +0000

I like list and provide them in detail more then others. In addition I add an estimated time to complete that task. THis helps with the “stress” to get it done.

By: Julinda

Julinda — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 19:50:27 +0000

In reply to Jeff Grigg. Great idea! I have the same issue w/to-do lists. They get messy and as you said, you have to redo the whole thing to update it.

By: Suresh C R

Suresh C R — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:26:37 +0000

Hi David, we are also overwhelmed by the huge lists of things to do because we aren’t sure which ones to work on next. Any suggestions for that?

By: Judy Lohmar

Judy Lohmar — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:00:17 +0000

I’m a big fan of the “Total Workday Control” approach designed by Michael Linenberger. Philosophically it aligns very well with the GTD model and is particularly effective at managing the Ground, Horizon 1 and Horizon 2 of the six level model.

By: Suzanne Falci

Suzanne Falci — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 14:39:45 +0000

This is what Trello is for. If I have a “Trello” day, I have a productive day. The to do list can be expanded to be detailed for each job .
totally amazing!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 13:11:14 +0000

Looking at a to-do list in progress as a “things accomplished” can be helpful.

By: Steve W.

Steve W. — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 12:48:46 +0000

I think your final comment: “I keep track of appointments, phone numbers, projects to complete, and actions I need to take” is has your answer. You need to use the right tool for the job and the to-do list is just one tool in the toolbox, along with the calendar, the address book, the project plan, the spreadsheet, the file cabinet, and so on. Much time can be wasted by putting everything on the to-do list. For your next article, I’d like some insights on the highly controversial post-it note.

By: Jeff Grigg

Jeff Grigg — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 18:55:55 +0000

I find it helpful to write each “TO DO” item on a separate 3×5″ card.

I have always found “the list of todo items” on a sheet to be frustrating and depressing: Even after crossing off items, I still have a big list. And to “clean up” the list, I have to copy (transcribe) all the remaining items to a new list. It’s very frustrating.

One of the great things about having each “TO DO” item on a separate piece of paper is that the moment I finish any one thing, I can tear up that piece of paper and throw it in the trash. Try it; it’s very satisfying! Every little thing I accomplish is signaled and celebrated by ripping the piece of paper to shreds and tossing it. (Recycle the paper, if that’s your thing.)

Another nice thing about “TODOs” on cards is that I can easily sort them by priority, separate them by where and when I need to (or can) do them, and discard those that don’t need to be done. I can have some cards for what I need to do when I get home. And some cards for things to do at work. And I’m going shopping, so what are all the things I need to do and by while out on this local trip?