Thanks everyone;
This looks like a perfect reason for having a tickler file system in operation. Currently though I don’t use one - I’m still kinda waiting to see if enough reasons accumulate to justify one.
My Filofax has a two pages per week format, with a bookmark (detachable black plastic ruler). Maybe I will write the daily recurring items on a single sheet and let it sit between the two pages that make up the week – and then transfer it forward each time I move the weekly bookmark forward.
Alternatively, MacKenzie covers the topic of the ideal day: the model seems to acknowledge and accommodate the realities of daily recurring tasks – sign post, return calls, meet staff, as well as leaving clear chunks of time to tackle main projects. I think the idea may be a bit old-fashioned now, but I may just try to tweak it to cover the realties that are part of my own day.
Thanks
Dave
I would agree with other previous respondents, some version of checklists are likely the answer here. Now the thing with checklists (and much of GTD) is that there are about 4000 ways to
implement them depending on your tools and preferences. I used a physical tickler file for years and it works great for checklists. Experiment with different approaches that will surface the appropriate checklist at the appropriate time, and dont be afraid of hybrid approaches. For example, I've recently discovered that for daily tasks I like a tangible, physical checklist, even though I am otherwise 100% digital; for some odd reason I engage with it more effectively.
I have found there are basically 2 types of checklists in my world - time-based and task-based.
Time based include tasks that must happen at regular intervals, and are usually administrative or maintenance things. I manage a team for instance, and there are administrative functions I need to address or at least review on a monthly basis. I have a checklist in a digital "tickler file" in todoist that shows up once a month. Some items I do the day the checklist pops up, and others I copy off the checklist onto my next actions to do before the month is over.
Task-based checklists require a bit more thought because you have to create the habit of using them every time you have that task. A good example of this is a very extensive checklist I have for when I hire someone. Printed out its like 3 pages long. Typically I print this as soon as the employment offer is accepted. It's divided in sections of:
before start, first day, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. Items on the checklist are either done as I'm looking at the paper, or captured onto my next action lists to do at next opportunity. The checklist goes into a manila folder for project support. I've recently been experimenting with an electronic version instead of printing it, but still unsure if that will stick.
