Some people run out and buy a health club membership when they commit to ‘getting healthy’. Really, are you better off (A) doing low-cost exercise at home till you find the commitment sticking or (B) getting better tools so you succeed easier?
When I decide to ‘get organized’, I go with choice B. Of course, I spend more time tinkering and trying new systems than actually Getting Things Done (GTD). I’m attracted by how organized computer programs can make things, but my actual usage lacks (as I admitted to Larry last month in his post Digital or Analog).
Last round, I installed GTD-PHP, a handy “next action/to do” web-app. Besides my lack of active use, the current version doesn’t work with my host’s older version of MySQL. Of course I’d rather spend an hour trying to install it anyway than to spend that same hour using the version I have and GTD. (shake head at self)
My shiny-new tool is called Tracks, which I found via lifehack.org, who linked to 52reviews.com. Their posts were alerts that Zenlist.com was offering free hosting of Tracks. I downloaded the program anyway, but quickly found I was out of my league for install…so Zenlist it is. All you need is an email and password to sign up.
Tracks is not all that complex, and misses some key features GTD-PHP has, but it is Ajax/Ruby-on-rails smooth, which bumps its usability up. Usability and less tinkering should boost my chances of success.
I am adjusting my expectations, too. Rather than a total brain-dump, I am limiting Zenlist to work-related projects that I need to keep organized. Paper to-do lists and piles of ‘active folders’ will still litter my desk. I have committed to having Zenlist open on my PC at all times to encourage usage.
My personal life needs organization to GTD, but I will relegate that to choice (A) in the first paragraph, and see if I can’t stick to paper lists first.
That’s the spirit, Dave! Better is one who tries, than one who doesn’t, even if fulfillment isn’t perfect.It is said, “There is no try, do or do not.” Yoda. Well, if that were true, most things would never be attempted, yet alone accomplished.
That’s the spirit, Dave! Better is one who tries, than one who doesn’t, even if fulfillment isn’t perfect.It is said, “There is no try, do or do not.” Yoda. Well, if that were true, most things would never be attempted, yet alone accomplished.
Gurus are so damn fustrating, aren’t they?Better to put the bar up one notch at a time, I think.
Gurus are so damn fustrating, aren’t they?Better to put the bar up one notch at a time, I think.
I’ve been using Backpack to follow GTD for a month or so now and have had some pretty good success. The hardest part is just making sure to dig through the inbox on a regular basis.
I’ve been using Backpack to follow GTD for a month or so now and have had some pretty good success. The hardest part is just making sure to dig through the inbox on a regular basis.