I have tried GTD, because, like Anne, I need to change often to avoid boredom. I think I also have "demand resistance", which means that even my to do items that I choose for myself make me think "You can't make me do that-- I'll show you!"
I also need someone to either validate my procrastination or get me off my ass. I need to make an evening dress by 3 pm on Sunday. Saturday is gone because it is my family Thanksgiving. I've already done the patterning and the fitting, so it should go together pretty easily-- I am thinking in about 5 hours. I was planning on doing it today, but I am thinking maybe I could get up early on Sunday? I find that when working on theatre, the work expands to fit the time alotted, so if I work today, there is a fairly good chance I will also be working on Sunday as well, but if I start on Sunday it might take less time altogether, because there is just less time. On the other hand, if something goes really wrong, I will be screwed. But I have now sewn 2 mockups of the dress, so I think it might actually take only 3 hours.
This is one of those times that I wish I had a car-- because the thing keeping me from wanting to go in is the 2 hours I will spend on the bus, and the fact that there is no food on campus this weekend, so I still have to make something and take it in with me.
I have no pie to eat for breakfast. Sad now.
And, given there's no hot water, apparently not showering, either
It took me a while to realise you weren't meaning at the office. All better now.
Scola's link made me cry. No! Not yet!
Downloading the Pomodoro book onto my devices. Thanks, LeN.
Chilling with Mom in PA. My Black Friday shopping should be all at thrift stores, including my favorite Good Will.
My nod to GTD is to keep a paper pad next to my keyboard at work, and keep a running list of tasks and to-do items, broken out fairly broadly, with plenty of space for additions and notes. That way, I can track progress as I cross out, though I then also write additional tasks as they develop as a consequence of stuff I've done.
Sometimes, highlighter is involved, too. But the crossing out can be surprisingly satisfying when you're in the middle of a months- (or years-) long project. Me, I need the reminder that I am Making the Progress even if I'm not Finishing All The Things.
Sophia, have you considered buying a motorscooter? Not real practical in the winter where you live, but it would for sure save you a 2 hour busride during the off times.
I have yet to find any of these productivity things useful for someone in any of my types of job (admin assist, customer service or costume shop manager) because they all seem to be about eliminating or managing interruptions. However, the interruptions ARE my job. I have to answer the phone, I have to drop everything to help my boss or my student or a customer figure out something, I have to deal with actors who need something right then. The thing is, I have to get actual work done between these. The techniques seem to suggest putting the interruptions in a box and dealing with them all at once, but the customers don't really appreciate that!
Sophia, have you considered buying a motorscooter? Not real practical in the winter where you live, but it would for sure save you a 2 hour busride during the off times.
I would, but I think I would be too scared to drive one. I can't even ride a bicycle in traffic because I feel like I am going to die!
BTW, this designer has some beautiful paper tools for productivity:
[link]
Theodosia is me. But I didn't get that from GTD; i got it from my dad, who never wears a shirt without a pocket, because he keeps a little memo pad and a pen there at all times.
It makes shopping both easier and harder for him:
"No pocket, no pocket, no pocket...POCKET!!! Score!"
Also, le nun, great link! I am def going to try out some of those tools; see how they work for me!
ETA: er, le nubian, not le nun. Although I am tempted to start calling you le nun!
