Via the life-hack blog 43 tfolders, a really good tutorial about how to avoid procrastination. Selected quotes:
1. identify all the stuff in your life that isn’t in the right place (close all open loops) 2. get rid of the stuff that isn’t yours or you don’t need right now 3. create a right place that you trust and that supports your working style and values 4. put your stuff in the right place, consistently 5. do your stuff in a way that honors your time, your energy, and the context of any given moment 6. iterate and refactor mercilessly (...) I really do want to look at how things like Quicksilver, iCal, BBEdit, NetNewsWire, and the almighty shell script can make this easier for all my Apple sisters and brothers
M Vance also gives good hints:
Outcomes & Actions 1. describe in a single sentence the intended successful outcome for the problem or situation 2. write down the very next physical action required to move the situation forward
SUMMARY 1. keep everything out of your head 2. decide actions and outcomes when things first emerge on your radar, instead of later 3. regularly review and update the complete inventory of open loops of your life and work
Pick up anything around you that you’re wondering what to do with, and apply a simple set of formulae:
• I don’t need or want it = trash • I still need to decide what this means to me = IN basket item • I might need to know this information = reference • I use it = equipment and supplies • I like to see it = decoration • When I could possibly move on it, I want to see the action as an option = next action reminder, reviewed when and where it could be done • I need to be reminded of this short-term outcome I’ve committed to = project list item, reviewed weekly • I need to have this when I focus on a project = support material • I might want to commit to this at any time in the future = Someday/maybe list item • I might want to commit to this on or after a specific time in the future = calendared or “tickled” item incubated for review on a specific future date • I want to achieve this “bigger” outcome = goals, objectives, visions that you review on some longer interval • It’s something someone else is doing that I care about = item on Waiting-For list, reviewed at least weekly • I need to consider it when I do certain recurring activities = item on a checklist