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Building on many in this thread of keeping a TODO list. I use PostIt notes, usually the larger, lined ones. I keep an unordered list of stuff to do, adding and
by fdye 4y ago
Building on many in this thread of keeping a TODO list. I use PostIt notes, usually the larger, lined ones. I keep an unordered list of stuff to do, adding and crossing things off throughout the day. At the end of the day I rewrite my list for tomorrow, then I crumble up the old PostIt note and launch it into the trash can. Its visceral and fulfilling, accompanied by a mini-meditation of sorts to eject those tasks from my brain. I've tried Kanban-like programs and other things, I use them in project management. However, for my personal tasks I find nothing gets it done like a physical piece of crumbled paper, sometimes I jump up and dunk it into the trash with glee. It helps...
I don't beat myself up if I don't get to everything. I don't stress about how long the list gets. Sometimes I'll have multiple PostIt's going with some loose association of long term/short term or project-specific tasks. The important part though is the cross off of tasks (progress throughout the day), and the mental reset at the end of the day of what to start with tomorrow.
On a related note I feel the way people frame ADHD, particularly during elementary schooling, is all wrong. It is literally a super power. I can context-switch and am generally more engaged doing so. The idea of slogging away at only one task at a time in a linear fashion gives me hives. Its not to say I can't do it, but its highly dependent on my interest level with the task and my flow state. However, no matter what happens I know I can widdle a task down a bit in 15-30 minute increments with a context switch to something else, then come back later.
Many coworkers of mine over the year have commented on how I can switch between 3-4 things at once. It's common for me to drop a task (interrupted by someone or my interest level), come back, check the PostIt note, and pick right up where I left off. I think there is some truth in ADHD aligning well to entrepreneurship, product ownership, or senior leadership. The other piece of it is being brutally honest with yourself at what your not good at and finding others who can supplement those tasks. I worked closely with a senior dev for a long time who wanted a linear, head down, deep dive task to sink his teeth into. The four or five less understood, needs some research, maybe a quick PoC, pathfinder tasks, sign me up.
My other tools are 3-square meals a day, 8 hrs of sleep a night, and walking the dog before and after work (helps the mind reset). When the urge to do something strikes, try to follow through with it in the moment, there is a high probability it will be lost/forgotten otherwise.
Thats all I got...