When's the best time to do a mind sweep?

[Sarahsuccess]

I use a paper calendar, so I cannot put actions or triggers in a specific place for all day events, but I see what you mean.

A paper monthly calendar is where I put my untimed dated events and deadlines.

I also have a weekly planner that has spaces for both timed and untimed events. That planner is my lifesaver.

Why can’t you put untimed dated events on your calendar? I think that’s an important thing to figure out. Having a way to put untimed events and deadlines on a calendar takes priority to a tickler list.

 

[Sarahsuccess]

I'd appreciate it if you could clarify what you believe is meant by triggers, ticklers, and reminders, and whether these items are the same things or not.

I think there is no practical difference. All we have is “stuff” that we need to collect, clarify, organize, do & review.


The following is one of my favorite quotes from David Allen. It’s in a chapter on clarifying/processing.

"Once you really integrate this clarification process into your life-and work style, you will find yourself comfortable with a wide range of tools that can genuinely work for you. If you haven't applied this process, nothing will seem to serve you very well." (Making It All Work page 111)

 

[fooddude]

I just emailed the course office to request the deadline date before which I will need to cancel my enrollment to avert paying for the next course. I delegated this action to the course office, and that is now on my waiting for list. I made a tentative plan:

1. By no later than 15 days before the deadline, I will start considering.
2. By no later than 10 days before the deadline, I will make a final decision.
3. If I decide not to continue, I will email the course office with my decision.
4. I will send that email 9 days or more before the deadline date.
5. I will send another copy of that email at the same time for security.
6. If I decide to continue, nothing at all needs to be done.

I would have a project "decide to continue class" @WF- When the deadline for cancellation of class is. (I might put a date 3 days out or so on WF entry) That's it.
Now with me I will have made the decision by the time I receive that email back. I'm guessing if I sent that email I've pretty much decided. But when I receive that email it becomes a two minute NA I would do right away. Email the office my cancelation. BCC myself. I have a rule for those in email. And put it on my @WF-confirmation of cancelation. I'm really not doing 1,2,4, or 5. I won't ruminate on an issue 2 weeks out. Once i have the confirmation, I would put it in reference and delete my project. Also When a next action is complete i remove those as well.

 

[Sarahsuccess]

I would have a project "decide to continue class" @WF- When the deadline for cancellation of class is. (I might put a date 3 days out or so on WF entry) That's it.
Now with me I will have made the decision by the time I receive that email back. I'm guessing if I sent that email I've pretty much decided. But when I receive that email it becomes a two minute NA I would do right away. Email the office my cancelation. BCC myself. I have a rule for those in email. And put it on my @WF-confirmation of cancelation. I'm really not doing 1,2,4, or 5. I won't ruminate on an issue 2 weeks out. Once i have the confirmation, I would put it in reference and delete my project. Also When a next action is complete i remove those as well.

I would probably wait until the deadline to decide. Once I get the deadline date I’d put it on my calendar. Other than that I’d pretty much take the same course of action that you mention. It’s more of a Briggs Meyer Type difference than a GTD difference.

 

[fooddude]

I would probably wait until the deadline to decide. Once I get the deadline date I’d put it on my calendar. Other than that I’d pretty much take the same course of action that you mention. It’s more of a Briggs Meyer Type difference than a GTD difference.

If I waited, I would make an all day event and it would show up when I needed it.