For the past 2 years I’ve mostly used a certain productivity method of my own design to decent success. I describe the method here. I have no problems with this method – and I often recommend students who are having trouble getting (or keeping) motivated to give it a try.
However this year I want to try something new: Only use to do lists, and LOTS of them. I’m no longer going to incentivize productivity – I’m doing it for the sake of itself. I plan to use Todoist heavily – I’ve found this app to be indispensable in my life. After every day, I’ll take a look at the total number of completed tasks, and log it using a custom Google Form. Todoist is my home page on my browser, and my phone – and it’s one of the only reasons I use my phone. The idea is to keep it always present.
My wife purchased me “Every Tool’s A Hammer: Life is What you Make It“, a book by Adam Savage – and I’ve been completely devouring it. It’s about the philosophy of making, and I felt particularly inspired by his “Lists” chapter. I’ve always been big on the usage of lists, but this book taught me to go deeper.
Lists can help ease anxiety about projects – but only if you aim to make them entirely comprehensive. I’ve always worked to keep my lists somewhat concise – but for this method I’m going to have them be as extensive and as encompassing as possible. Taking back the garbage might look like:
- Take in Garbage
- Hook Up Trailer
- Load Garbage
- Drive to Dump
- Return Implements
Where in the past, my list might have just said “Take in Garbage”
Every time I sit down to do a project, or take on a new chore, I’ll create as comprehensive of a to do list as possible – As things are checked off, it will help give me an understanding of how far along the projects are.
I’m also trying another small idea – over to the right of this page (or at the bottom if you’re on mobile), you might see “Shane’s Productivity Gauge” – That’s linked to my Google Form, and gives EVERYONE (including myself) a barometer for how “in the zone” I’ve been. It’s out in the public, and I’d rather people not think I’m a lump – so I’d better get to achieving!