ADD versus Bullet Journal method

Why do to-do lists work better for some people? They dutifully check off their lists and seem to move ever-closer to their goals. What can non-listers do to improve their tasking? Kara Benz offered great tips in How to Craft a Better To-Do list

Energy 

I’ve taken some of my repetitive daily, weekly, and monthly tasks and categorized them into two lists. The first is my “If I have lots of energy then I will…” list, and the second is my “If I’m feeling sluggish then I will…” list. Kara Benz

Great point. I know my energy isn’t always the same, and I should adapt my goals and method accordingly.  I liked how the author addresses how to have a list for when I’m feeling sluggish or I have a lot of energy. I can give myself permission to get out and walk or experience some sunshine to give myself a break. 

Listers and Forgettors

It is easy to separate people into list-makers or forgetters, and classify myself as the latter. I don’t list. I try to keep it all rolling around in my head. Ask me how that is working. It isn’t, thanks for asking. 
I’m not a list checker. I don’t enjoy going back and re-checking the list to re-center myself. Lists aren’t interesting to me. Remembering is interesting, enjoyable and unfortunately it is also unsustainable. Eventually things drop off my memory radar which causes stress and slows me down. 

It feels great to have all those thoughts rolling around in my head, like a big Halloween candy bucket. I can choose to snatch a snickers (memory: free A/B testing tools for WordPress blog headlines), or an Alexander the Grape (idea: web comic detailing the captivating life of a concrete sidewalk portion). Using this (failing) method, I am rich with ideas but poor in implementation- a memory hoarder that refuses to select a goal and stick to it. 
Sure, I get a shot of positivity when I get something done, but i think others get a more powerful high. 

Focus on the Goal: People

My method has been to focus on the thing I enjoy, and factor in how my task will point to that. 
I love helping people share their ideas. I think the world needs more people sharing and listening to others. Looking at my task list; my car needs oil, I need a haircut, the website needs updating and we need to make a more efficient email message. 

Now, to give myself motivation to focus on a goal I’m interested in, I reconsider those tasks in light of how it will help people share themselves. Getting a haircut will help me focus on my job and give me a boost of confidence. Updating our email email encourage people to engage with the website. Ok, I can do this. 
Hey Inbox, you suck (at prioritizing my goals)

Too often it is easy for me to sit down and start checking emails for things I need to do. Instead, I can write them down, thinking as I write and prioritizing as they go into the list. I can use the bullet journal method to make another list of the top three things I will commit to complete. 

My Add brain is already frustrated I am writing something down twice. This is inefficient! This sucks! Go answer random, semi-important emails and get frustrated nothing actually was completed!

In reality, writing and re-writing items probably gives my mind more time to consider a solution to the task. Which, in reality gives my mind more time to do what I love to do: think about interesting things that are important to me. 

Kara has a great site focused on helping people live goal-oriented positive lives at BohoBerry.com. (Phew, that sounds like a dorky positive Hallmark card endorsement, but I believe the world is better when we examine life and focus ourselves on greatness.) Thanks, Kara!

P.S. Kara also wrote a post on Bullet Journaling + the Getting Things Done method, which sounds like it will be a hot mess of flapjack goodness. Stay tuned and I’ll provide my hot takedown from an Add mindset soon. After all, it is on my to-do list. 😉

To do list in journal
Bullet Journal attempt, again.

Use a blue pencil and force yourself to draw

Grab a soft pencil and a blank paper. Draw. Right now.

Inspired by programmer Jamis Buck’s willingness to take on a new hobby every year (namely, to write 1,000 words a day), I decided to draw. I was tempted to find a pencil so I could draw and erase. No, I want to force myself to be free- to put ideas on paper, to “draw” those hundred words like Buck.
20140802-013551-5751769.jpg
So, I drew. I kept wanting to place things in an orderly fashion or to start a new page with a new idea. Nope. Keep drawing. Pretty soon, is filled a page with badly-drawn lumpy computer desktops, abstract waves from the 1980s, magazine layouts with man eating a massive sandwich juxtaposed to the letters WO LVES, four rock band posters for my daughters room, and four website layouts.

20140802-013551-5751449.jpg

I was frustrated the pencil became dull. I was frustrated at the lack of contrast from the light blue of the pencil to the white of the paper, but I kept drawing. I have myself the freedom to come back to these ideas and expand on them and this I was freer to not make these perfect right now.

Best Free Trello Alternatives ( Trello vs Asana vs Wrike vs Bitrix24 ) | NicheGeek.com

One great way to find reviews of Project Management apps is to find one you like, then look for reviews suggesting alternatives. NicheGeek.com has a great breakdown of different project management/ task management options.

I love the free CRM aspect as part of Bitrix24 – it can even integrate with an online store!

On Bitrix24 vs Trello

The most powerful thing about Bitrix24 is that it is a collaboration suite, so it makes it really easy for teams to do everything (including document management) in one place. Bitrix24 also comes with free CRM that integrates with project management, something that neither Asana nor Wrike offer.

On Asana vs Trello

If Trello is too simple, but you aren’t the type who reads books about project management, GTD, Kanban, Agile – Asana is perfect Trello alternative for you.

On Wrike vs Trello

It’s kind of like a boxing champion beating up a third grader, not that hard to do and not really an accomplishment for the boxer…. Wrike’s freemium option is limited to five users, it actually comes without some basic PM features, like Gantt charts, which are available only use premium users

.

via Best Free Trello Alternatives ( Trello vs Asana vs Wrike vs Bitrix24 ) | NicheGeek.com.

Data protection
, Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. All details in the privacy policy.
Data protection
, Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. All details in the privacy policy.