One-page rule.
I am a massive fan of note-taking and to-do lists to know what I should focus on the current day or week.
Before, I used paper, but I was looking for something more modern that could also be an e-reader.
Even though I have an unlimited number of pages with this device, I decide to be strict with how much I can have there. With just a glance, I want to know which priorities I have.
One-page rule
Whatever I do, my task list shall never exceed one page!
If I have space
If something comes up, and I have space, it is easy; I add it there.
I might reorganise it if it has more priority than other tasks.
Either by moving things up and downs or adding numbers next to each item according to their priorities.
Where do I add it?
I have three sections, the work, the WIP and the daily area.
Work
I write on top of the page the focus for the week, so I know if there is one thing I should accomplish this week, it is this one.
E.g. Prepare presentation for company weekly.
This section could include just gibberish that I write while in a meeting to remember to do it afterwards.
E.g. Contact X about Y. Organise this meeting.
Looking at this work area gives me easy access to all the threads I need to follow. I can then jump straight back to one of them.
WIP
Items that I already invested some amount of work into.
Reasons they are in the WIP section:
- Something more pressing came up
- Waiting for a design/product answer on a topic
- Waiting for code review
Daily
I have to prepare my dailies in advance to provide meaningful updates to my team. I also use the dailies to convey any organisation-wide news.
If I don’t have space
Two choices:
1. Do one of the tasks
2. Remove one of the tasks
Doing tasks
Maybe there is a small win on my task list I can do.
Maybe someone I was waiting for an answer has time now, and I can finish one of the blocked WIP tasks.
Or finally, the time to get focus time to remove one of them.
When I finish the previous task, I can add the new one.
Efficient to give you a sense of urgency if you were postponing a task.
Removing tasks
Something HAS to go.
Balance everything you have and which one would be the most impactful.
Then let it go.
If it is essential, it will come again later anyway.
Strengthen your discipline to only pick the most impactful tasks.
No cheating allowed!
Writing the tiniest letter ever will only get me so far. If I catch myself doing that, if it is because I can’t decide on what I need to remove. And I need to be more strict.
You are your worst enemy here.
Conclusion
This method has been handy for me as it narrows my focus to what matters the most.
Of course, you have to live with all the tasks you dropped along the way.
Please let me know what you think of this method.
And share your best tips to handle your to-do list.
