Beginning Ticklering

T

TPorter2

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I've just started using a tickler file a week ago. Every morning, I check to see if there is something for that day. I think getting into that habit may be the hardest part. My mind knows there are only 2 items in my tickler file right now, one for October and one for January.

Any hints for beginning ticklering, and how fast until the file starts filling up with stuff?
 
If you began using a tickler only a week ago, you may not have discovered its full potential yet. As the days go by you will probably find more and more items to put in it. Meanwhile, do solidify the habit of checking the tickler every morning. When the file fills up and you urgently need that habit, it will be there for you.
 
Take an index card and write "check tickler file" on it. Put that in tomorrow's folder. Every day, when you check the file, move that card into the next folder.

At least it will give you something to check and create a record of having checked it that day. It will help establish the habit.

After a while, if you find that you almost never have items for the tickler, then you can abandon it and put the rare reminders on your calendar.
 
re: nearly empty tickler (at the beginning)

Some people "salt" or scatter items in future dates various items such as:
cartoons and humor writings, inspirational articles, non-deadline reading, a personal letter or a card from a loved one, or $. Others may have additional suggestions.

The rationale is to set up rewards for checking the tickler each day.
 
TPorter2 said:
Any hints for beginning ticklering, and how fast until the file starts filling up with stuff?
Click to expand...

Why do you want the file to fill up with stuff? I prefer an empty tickler folder to a full one; it means there's less for me to do.

In any event, I was faithful for the first week, spotty for the next two weeks, then solidly faithful after that. I still miss a day occasionally (maybe every two weeks). As with most things, I needed to tie it to a particular part of my routine: When I get home from work, I set my bag down, then immediately empty the day's tickler file into my inbox.
 
To remind myself....

I put my car keys on top of it. That forces me to see it and as long as I'm there I'll check it.
 
If you want to form the habit of checking it, the REAL habit to form is putting everything in it. If I get to work and there NO PAPER ANYWHERE for me to process, that's a pretty good reminder that I need to pull out the tickler file.

Tickler files come up a bunch, so by doing a search, the new user could come up with a bunch of ideas.

I want to share something I have not seen in all those posts (not that this is what I do, because it's not), but it is interesting. This author http://www.leadingauthorities.com/12045/Greg_Vetter.htm recommends the following: Use your 1-31 files for ONLY the items that are specific to that date--in other words, the things that can't be done until then and must be done on that date (like the tickets to the concert or the driving dorections for the trip you are taking that day). In front of the 1-31 folders are: 5 folders (labeled 1-5) following by 3 folders (labeled A,B,C).

The dance consists of processing incoming papers into an A, B, C (yeah, I know that anti-GtD, but I'm just the messenger here). You then work from the A folder. Look through the A folder and select the first 5 items to work on and drop them in the those first five folders (numbered 1-5). When those are done, you go back to the "A" folder again. When it's empty, start working from the "B" folder. At the end of the week, you examine the A, B, and C folder and re-evaluate it all as far as what is each letter for the next week.
 
Thanks to all of you for your responses. The tickler file checking is getting easier, or becoming more of a habit. And I am finding more things to go in there as time goes on. Appreciate it!
 
TPorter2 said:
Thanks to all of you for your responses. The tickler file checking is getting easier, or becoming more of a habit. And I am finding more things to go in there as time goes on. Appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Yep... and once you start to realize the value of the tickler, the habit will become even MORE ingrained!
 
Something for Tickler

I took the workbook from the Roadmap Seminar and inserted a few pages into each day of my tickler for the next couple of weeks or so. Each day I get to review a little bit and get a little inspiration.

I also staple pretty pictures (tropical beaches for me) or quotations I like onto the folders themselves.

Good luck with your tickler!
Taxgeek
 
GND - Getting Nothing Done or Grounded.

taxgeek said:
I also staple pretty pictures (tropical beaches for me) or quotations I like onto the folders themselves.
Click to expand...
The pictures would not work for me because they certainly could distract me. So instead GTD I would implement GND (Getting Nothing Done or Grounded).

But the motivational quaotations are OK.
 
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