I've been using GTD for a few months now and have an idea about Waiting For items. I'm finding that my Waiting For list is sort of a black hole, although I do check it during my weekly review. I'm considering mostly doing away with the category and making things more action-oriented by deciding how long I have to wait before doing something. I will then put a call-again task in my tickler file for that date. That way I don't have to check the Waiting For list to see who I need to call and I won't have to spend my time wondering if I need to call each person back every time I go through the Waiting Fors. Is there a reason I'm not thinking of for using Waiting Fors?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Waiting For vs. Tickler
- Thread starter beirne
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Guest
I do exactly that. I use @Waiting For for items where I need and/or expect a quick response. I created a new category @Tickler for things where I eventually (that is, beyond the range of weekly review) want a response. The @Tickler category is the only one where I put a "Due Date" and associated reminder (I'm using Outlook). It works great for me and has reduced my @Waiting For list (which I monitor daily) by about 80%.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: Waiting For vs. Tickler
This is exactly what I do, and it's working well for me. Every time I hand something off, I decide what date I should follow up, and it goes into my calendar as a dated task with @WF prefix (eg @WF Joe re ....).
I don't have a tickler file the way DA describes. I have one file folder for any paperwork associated with these items (it's called Pending - I work in a male-dominated environment). A "tickler" goes into my calendar as a dated task with low priority and @T prefix, and if there is any paperwork associated with it I will put "Pending file" into the task note.
Oh, I'm using Outlook.
Claudia Straka
beirne said:I'm finding that my Waiting For list is sort of a black hole, although I do check it during my weekly review. I'm considering mostly doing away with the category and making things more action-oriented by deciding how long I have to wait before doing something. I will then put a call-again task in my tickler file for that date.
This is exactly what I do, and it's working well for me. Every time I hand something off, I decide what date I should follow up, and it goes into my calendar as a dated task with @WF prefix (eg @WF Joe re ....).
I don't have a tickler file the way DA describes. I have one file folder for any paperwork associated with these items (it's called Pending - I work in a male-dominated environment). A "tickler" goes into my calendar as a dated task with low priority and @T prefix, and if there is any paperwork associated with it I will put "Pending file" into the task note.
Oh, I'm using Outlook.
Claudia Straka