todo.txt and task management [closed]

Question

Apologies if this has been covered frequently, but I was wondering about how other people approach personal task management.

I've read (parts of) GTD, proceeded to get excited, installed a tonne of plug-ins all over the place, then let it all fall by the wayside. I've used todoist, outlook, google calendar, project. I've tried writing lists in a notepad, in 'notebook', on post-it-notes and in spreadsheets etc. None of it lasts.

Why is a simple and effective todo application so difficult to find? Because the application is so frequently used, I find that any small niggles with the application become overly exaggerated after a few days use.

So far, my favourite application is a variation of todo.txt called task

What do you use?

Answer 1

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a "simple and effective todo application" is so hard to find because you are using the tool as a substitute for self-discipline and commitment. Statements like 'I've read parts of this and tried that and that and that but minor interface issues cause me to drop it in a few days' imply that you are looking for magic bullets and excuses.

• Minor issues with the tools are a poor excuse to abandon the effort.
• Pick a system and a tool and stick with it
• No tool will give you the self-discipline and commitment necessary to change your habits
• personal time-management is about changing your viewpoint and habits, not finding the "right" tool
• caveat: some systems are more suitable than others for your personal work requirements. If you're a developer, a calendar-based system like Franklin Planner is probably not going to work, while a list-based system like GTD probably will.

Suggestion: google and review the various systems, pick one, and commit to it for at least a month. Try GTD and pen-and-paper, for example, then get fancy once the system is a habit. Once you know how you need to work the system and are committed to it, look for the perfect tool. In the meantime, the perfect tool is the enemy of the good practice, to mangle a quote ;-)

Answer 2

I use text files. Each contains a list of projects, separated by blank lines. Each line of a project's space includes syntax like:

• '-': Item of interest
• '*': TODO's
• ':': Code changes
• 'AWT': (Awaiting something external)

Text files live together and projects move in and out fluidly:

• work.txt: Current work / active projects
• deferred.txt: Stuff to do someday
• done.txt: Finished; archived for records

The text file system is fast, effective, globally compatible and loads in a fraction of a second.

Answer 3

I think I'm like you (were, 2 years ago): too lazy to do anything until I find the perfect tool for it.. Yes, folks saying tools should never be mistaken to be a substitute for executing the plan, are absolutely right...

That said, one tool that seems "perfect enough" for me to drop thoses excuses for GTD: org-mode for Emacs. I really hope so, anyway.

Answer 4

I think this is almost a duplicate of How can I apply David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” as a programmer?

See also:
What Can Someone Do to Get Organized Around Here?
Time management tricks, tools & tips
What do you use to keep notes as a developer?