Question(s) about lists

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positano1995

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OK...so I've got a great GTD system up and running to the point of (at least) capturing next actions for tasks that "live" in my life for longer than a day. If something resolves itself within the day, I usually don't enter it into my system.

But here is the question: How do I manage lists? Specifically, I'm using Outlook with the GTD plugin. Say I have a list of books to read. Do I create an action called "Someday:Books" and add outlook tasks for each one? Then the "list" is really a list of tasks in Outlook, right? So then I might have another action called "Someday: Websites to check out" for a similar purpose? Or it might just be called "Websites to check out." Am barking up the right tree?

So...say I'm out and about and need to add something to my "Books" list. I could either email myself (via my Blackberry), and get it into the system that way. Or I could simply add a task directly (on my Blackberry) with the right category. That seems to work, but does it make sense in terms of GTD?

My initial thought was to use Outlook memos for lists, but that doesn't seem to work as well, especially since I'm primarily using my Inbox as, well, my Inbox.

Input is greatly appreciated! Thanks
 
positano1995;52625 said:
Do I create an action called "Someday:Books" and add outlook tasks for each one? Then the "list" is really a list of tasks in Outlook, right? So then I might have another action called "Someday: Websites to check out" for a similar purpose? Or it might just be called "Websites to check out."
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positano,

My system isn't exactly analogous to yours, but I would use the body of the task to include all books in a single task.

That said, I'm not exactly internally consistent here because I use the equivalent of a single task for each website or web research task.

I use multiple ways to get stuff into the list: spacepen and pocketmod paper, jott emails, adding directly via my lists on the treo or laptop, etc.

- Don
 
I use the Outlook Notes (ie. the Post-It notes) for lists. I have one for books I want to read. When I'm out and about and I think of something to add to that list I can either open the note directly on my BB (I'm on a BES) or I write it down on a piece of paper or I simply send myself an email with the info in the subject line. It depends where I am, how much time I have and what capture device is at hand. With the last two methods I later process the infomation out of IN and edit the Outlook Note to include the new book.

The reason I keep lists this way is I want to keep them distinct from my NAs and Projects which I use Outlook Tasks for. I review individual lists at my discretion during a weekly review (not every week) and decide whether, for example, I now want to read one of the books on the list. If so, it becomes a project with NAs: search library catalogue online, reserve book, go library, read book etc.

Hope this helps.

Simon
 
I use ListPro to manage my things that are lists. So a list of books to read someday goes in this list and I review it periodically.

For the 3-4 books I'm currently reading I have an individual next action for each one. The same for DVDs I haven't watched yet or specific podcasts I want to listen to.

So, if I'm at home I look at my @home list and see "Read Wintersmith" or "Read GTD". It's a reminder of what I want to do amongst the context of other things at home like "Fix outdoor chair" and so on.
 
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