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I swear by The Checklist Manifesto[0] However, it's worth noting that just because you didn't do that one thing on your list, it doesn't mean you're a failure

I swear by The Checklist Manifesto[0] However, it's worth noting that just because you didn't do that one thing on your list, it doesn't mean you're a failure in life. A checklist is just a rough guide. You can always delegate or delay the more trickier tasks too. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Checklist_Manifesto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Checklist_Manifesto

sokoloff 5y ago
It’s a great book, but seems more aligned to “doing things correctly [preventing errors]” than to “doing things at all [preventing procrastination]”.
- jvanderbot 5y ago
  There's a subtle point in controlling process to prevent procrastination vs keeping a list of things to do in hopes that helps you ``know what to work on''. Checklists are great at the former.
jvanderbot 5y ago
Precisely this. Todo lists are a great way to go through processes, but a terrible way to plan a day's or month's activity.
- truckerbill 5y ago
  What is a better way you've found?
  - adolph 5y ago
    Time blocking is one. If one doesn’t structure time and context, then todo items can’t get done. Edit: Here’s one implementation by Nir Eyal, author of “Hooked” and Indistractable”: https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/ https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/
  - jvanderbot 5y ago
    I mean, I do have a backlog list, and it is prioritized, but my day-to-day follows a process not a todo list. I keep a daily checklist of priority things to fit in: Speak politely, two morning chores, answer all messages from my group, workout, read, tinker with something, no coffee (I'm quitting), no drinks (I'm cutting down), meditate, go outside, update the finances, write in my journal. Each of those is about a 5 minute task or a daily reminder. Read and Tinker often lead to hours-long focus sessions. The key is to show up every day and remove barriers to getting started. If you want to call that a todo list, that's ok, but I call it a process-oriented checklist because of the way I use it. I used to be better about keeping a monthly checklist too, but pandemic has removed most the list.
    - adolph 5y ago
      That sounds semi-similar to the “Seinfeld System,” a method that highlights daily streaks. https://jamesclear.com/stop-procrastinating-seinfeld-strategy https://jamesclear.com/stop-procrastinating-seinfeld-strateg...
Tempest1981 5y ago
Adam Savage uses checklists as a motivational tool. Something satisfying about marking things as done. On paper, esp. I could only find this -- with a link to another wired article: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20263850 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20263850
- rconti 5y ago
  Yep! I use RememberTheMilk, and while I still have tasks that are years old, I find it generally helpful. I like the confidence of being able to mentally unburden myself of remembering things (even if I usually still do) and sometimes find myself creating tasks just to check them off, because I've done them but hadn't added them to the list-- why not feel good about your accomplishments? The reality is, many tasks, people simply don't want to do!
  - Doches 5y ago
    Skip to the end of that thought, and just keep a list where all you do is write down stuff you've done. Soon you'll have trained your brain to look around for stuff to add to your "done list" (I do this, check out https://donel.ist https://donel.ist for a kill-your-todos-get-stuff-done app I built to help myself do it!)
- slfnflctd 5y ago
  A simple text file works great for me. Sometimes things get asterisks (or whatever other sophistry I'm hoping in vain will help me actually prioritize according to some sort of 'master plan'), but in the end what's done just gets "//" in front of it and goes in the archive. I feel it does help me combat feelings of low productivity and/or worthlessness at least a little when I can look back on all I've completed. Otherwise it's more of this vague impression of 'not enough' and the resulting general malaise which can all too often become a tar pit.

sokoloff 5y ago

It’s a great book, but seems more aligned to “doing things correctly [preventing errors]” than to “doing things at all [preventing procrastination]”.

jvanderbot 5y ago
There's a subtle point in controlling process to prevent procrastination vs keeping a list of things to do in hopes that helps you ``know what to work on''. Checklists are great at the former.

jvanderbot 5y ago

Precisely this. Todo lists are a great way to go through processes, but a terrible way to plan a day's or month's activity.

truckerbill 5y ago
What is a better way you've found?
- adolph 5y ago
  Time blocking is one. If one doesn’t structure time and context, then todo items can’t get done. Edit: Here’s one implementation by Nir Eyal, author of “Hooked” and Indistractable”: https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/ https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/
- jvanderbot 5y ago
  I mean, I do have a backlog list, and it is prioritized, but my day-to-day follows a process not a todo list. I keep a daily checklist of priority things to fit in: Speak politely, two morning chores, answer all messages from my group, workout, read, tinker with something, no coffee (I'm quitting), no drinks (I'm cutting down), meditate, go outside, update the finances, write in my journal. Each of those is about a 5 minute task or a daily reminder. Read and Tinker often lead to hours-long focus sessions. The key is to show up every day and remove barriers to getting started. If you want to call that a todo list, that's ok, but I call it a process-oriented checklist because of the way I use it. I used to be better about keeping a monthly checklist too, but pandemic has removed most the list.
  - adolph 5y ago
    That sounds semi-similar to the “Seinfeld System,” a method that highlights daily streaks. https://jamesclear.com/stop-procrastinating-seinfeld-strategy https://jamesclear.com/stop-procrastinating-seinfeld-strateg...

Tempest1981 5y ago

Adam Savage uses checklists as a motivational tool. Something satisfying about marking things as done. On paper, esp. I could only find this -- with a link to another wired article: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20263850 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20263850

rconti 5y ago
Yep! I use RememberTheMilk, and while I still have tasks that are years old, I find it generally helpful. I like the confidence of being able to mentally unburden myself of remembering things (even if I usually still do) and sometimes find myself creating tasks just to check them off, because I've done them but hadn't added them to the list-- why not feel good about your accomplishments? The reality is, many tasks, people simply don't want to do!
- Doches 5y ago
  Skip to the end of that thought, and just keep a list where all you do is write down stuff you've done. Soon you'll have trained your brain to look around for stuff to add to your "done list" (I do this, check out https://donel.ist https://donel.ist for a kill-your-todos-get-stuff-done app I built to help myself do it!)
slfnflctd 5y ago
A simple text file works great for me. Sometimes things get asterisks (or whatever other sophistry I'm hoping in vain will help me actually prioritize according to some sort of 'master plan'), but in the end what's done just gets "//" in front of it and goes in the archive. I feel it does help me combat feelings of low productivity and/or worthlessness at least a little when I can look back on all I've completed. Otherwise it's more of this vague impression of 'not enough' and the resulting general malaise which can all too often become a tar pit.