Comments on: My Dirty Little Task Management Secret

By: Ulrich Riedel

Ulrich Riedel — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:14:38 +0000

I have the same experience – (too) many high prioritized task, and still I found myself working on tasks which had a lower ‘high priority’ than other high priority tasks.

So I started to create a sequence for my tasks in the morning. Until recently I used to write numbers next to my task list on paper. (1,2,3,….)

Now that I use a webbased task management service (Organisemee – http://www.organisemee.com ) I can define a sequence from top to bottom within a task list simply by drag-and-drop the task.

Works great for me.

By: Tamalita

Tamalita — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:21:00 +0000

Wow, this describes me to a tee. I have spent a lot of time trying to come up with the 'perfect' task management solution. I use FengOffice as well as Barry. I have been using this system now for a couple of years. I still have problems setting my priorities but nothing like in the old days of everything being highest. In the end trying to put deadlines on things really helps me to prioritize. If something is open-ended, it just won't get done. Thanks for this article.

By: Peter Willis

Peter Willis — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:08:59 +0000

My team and I use Idonext.com, a very simple and effective task management service. We are heavily using tags to prioritize. For example "#bugs1" is more important than "#bugs2". And since you can filter by tags you just see for example the most urgent tasks.

By: thewebwiz

thewebwiz — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:37:43 +0000

Your “before” methodology, including the “next three things” list, is pretty much what I’m currently doing. I see how the “after” results in a more realistic priority list, but don’t you still have exactly the same volume of stuff to do? And aren’t you doing it in almost the same order? The only distinction I really see is that if you have two paid client projects, you may focus more on the one with the closer deadline. But the bottom line is that you still have to do the “high priority” (however that’s labeled) tasks first, no?

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By: Lauren Halagarda

Lauren Halagarda — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:09:37 +0000

I like the 'Next 3 things' list idea. Even though I manage tasks using Outlook & ToodleDo, I recommend to clients that writing a 'Quick Hit List' of what they most want to accomplish keeps them focused. Obviously, I'm not suggesting you re-write every detail- just a quick reference to the task.

I also recommend no more than 3 priority levels (As you indicated, most people don't use them anyway.) And a 'Future Ideas' list for those 'eventual' items you referred to. The majority of tasks remain at a 'Normal' priority and then if appropriate you can increase or decrease.

Thanks,Dawn!

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Blogging Elsewhere at Fast Wonder: Online Community Consulting — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:35:48 +0000

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By: Barry

Barry — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:08:45 +0000

I am a FengOffice fan (www.fengoffice.com). Their workspace concept lets me group and slice through my task list in different ways.

To set priorities, I place asterisks in front of the task name: ****Highest priority task ***Next highest **Next *Lowest

The asterisks let me move priorities around on the fly. I then sort on task name, group by due date and view by workspace (or groups of workspaces). Perfect.

By: JRBERG

JRBERG — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:18:34 +0000

Thank you for sharing your insights - I have much appreciated it! I have been struggling this year with trying to come up with more effective ways of managing all of the priorities on my plate. I have my task list and I prioritize them A, B, C (Franklin Covey-style) but it seems with the new year, everything appears to be an "A" but in reality that is not the case. I need to get more realistic as you have and change my way of thinking!

By: Foo Bar

Foo Bar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:50:21 +0000

Things.

It's an app for Mac and iPhone.

I have tags for 'billable,' 'paid,' 'stay alive,' and 'avoid overdraft fee.' I know what they mean, and don't have to map them to 'high,' 'higher,' or 'ridiculously high.'

The 'next few things' (seldom actually 3) are determined and put into the 'today' area. 'Today' really means 'the next few things I'll really get to.' When they're done, I choose some more tasks from other lists to add in. Then I start on those.

I also have a daily recurring task called 'Give self gold star.' At the end of the day I decide whether to mark that as done or delete it.