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You Need a Productivity Journal
Lifehacker ^ | July 15, 2024 | Lindsey Ellefson

Posted on 07/17/2024 12:59:27 PM PDT by fwdude

You know how writing things down generally sticks them in your brain better? That's true when you're taking notes to remember something or when you're planning your day. When it comes to productivity, several of the most recommended methods ask you to write stuff down. From a to-do list or daily action plan to a nighttime review of everything you did (or didn't do), if you're serious about harnessing the power of specific productivity techniques, you'll end up writing at some point. You should designate a specific spot to get that done.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
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Do any FReeper subscribe to this practice? It intrigues me and want to get your insights.

Thanks for any help.

1 posted on 07/17/2024 12:59:27 PM PDT by fwdude
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To: fwdude

I am a big list-maker. I make a list of all things I want to accomplish each and every day. If I get 50% of the list done, I call it a win.


2 posted on 07/17/2024 1:00:54 PM PDT by Lazamataz (If you are upset the bullet missed, contact me immediately. I'll make sure your bullet doesn't.)
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To: Lazamataz

I make lists as reminders but I lose the list


3 posted on 07/17/2024 1:04:17 PM PDT by griswold3 (Truth, Beauty and Goodness. )
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To: fwdude

Nope. You can multitask many things and switch between them, and remember dozens more, and come back to them.
You just have to practice it.

Don’t turn into a Biden and delegate your brain away. Not to people or to notes. Your brain does not need a crutch.

“Notes” can be useful for complex details. Make them condensed and concise.
No one wants to (re)read a book when they have to follow up.


4 posted on 07/17/2024 1:04:39 PM PDT by z3n (Kakistocracy)
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To: griswold3
I make lists as reminders but I lose the list

I hide my list so I don't have to do anything on it.

5 posted on 07/17/2024 1:05:31 PM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: fwdude

Nowadays ... you can keep this list going, on your tablet.

You can also further prioritize items with an ABC method, in order of importance.

Not that I’m organized, or, anything 😜


6 posted on 07/17/2024 1:09:34 PM PDT by Jane Long (The role of the GOP: to write sharply-worded letters as America becomes a communist hell-hole.)
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To: Lazamataz

‘I ain’t done nothing since I woke up today’


7 posted on 07/17/2024 1:09:57 PM PDT by Track9 (If you want to know about human nature, read a power tool user manual. )
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To: fwdude
I would caution against spending too much time on this, but I have found the approach recommended here to be extremely helpful. I always keep a notebook at my desk — and in my work travel case when I travel — where I list all of my business tasks for each day and keep notes from my business meetings and engagements. I have a file crate filled with these books going back almost 25 years.

Interestingly, one of the most helpful things I got from these books is that I was able to help a client win a lawsuit just by going back 10+ years and finding the exact date when a seemingly inconsequential but ultimately very important set of tasks had been completed.

8 posted on 07/17/2024 1:10:01 PM PDT by Alberta's Child (“Ain't it funny how the night moves … when you just don't seem to have as much to lose.”)
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To: fwdude

I’m a huge notebook, calendar, and list guy. I find when I put in the effort to actually manage the list and also keep my notebook (which has meeting minutes, ideas, plans, etc) up to date that my productivity sky rockets.

I also figure out very quickly the things I don’t like to do and procrastinate at...as those things will make their way to the next day/week list until I force myself to do them.

However, I also find it wears me down very fast as I tend to overbook myself which leads to growing lists of things I ‘didn’t’ get done. This 2nd list follows me around and starts to wear down on me psychologically over time. At that point I’ll get away from the habit or force myself to do a hard reset in order to clear out the build-up.

I have found, now that I’m older, that I’m not as afraid to delegate the items that I tend to procrastinate about. I think it may be because I don’t see editing/advising my team’s efforts as burdensome....it’s enjoyable. This is especially true when you see the lights of realization in a junior colleague come on.


9 posted on 07/17/2024 1:11:49 PM PDT by reed13k
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To: fwdude

I try to make a list of 5 chores I want to get thru every day, a mixture of short easy ones, and longer ones. These would be things that are not every day or every week routine chores. It really does help to prioritize and not procrastinate. Five extra household chores a day isn’t much, but if there’s no time to get everything done, the things undone go on the next day’s list of 5.

(I had a school friend who did this; she said that if you get all 5 done, your list is too short :-)


10 posted on 07/17/2024 1:23:32 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Jane Long

I have to write it down physically, with pen and paper, or it doesn’t stick. Besides, the satisfaction of checking it off beats clicking a button. Kinda like slamming the phone down beats clicking a button!


11 posted on 07/17/2024 1:32:46 PM PDT by jagusafr ( )
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To: jagusafr

Well, I use a tablet pen, and, either cross through or check off items on list.


12 posted on 07/17/2024 1:42:10 PM PDT by Jane Long (The role of the GOP: to write sharply-worded letters as America becomes a communist hell-hole.)
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To: 1Old Pro

I hide my list so I don’t have to do anything on it.


🤣


13 posted on 07/17/2024 1:43:28 PM PDT by Jane Long (The role of the GOP: to write sharply-worded letters as America becomes a communist hell-hole.)
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To: fwdude

Sounds like work


14 posted on 07/17/2024 2:01:17 PM PDT by bigbob
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To: Jamestown1630

My wife used to do this at her job. She said sometimes she would complete the task just so she didn’t have to keep writing it down every day!


15 posted on 07/17/2024 2:06:23 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: fwdude

I once read to write down a list of EVERYTHING that is on your mind that needs to be done. It not only helps you prioritize, but it helps you to focus and reduces anxiety as now your brain doesn’t have to keep remembering what you didn’t get done. :)


16 posted on 07/17/2024 2:08:46 PM PDT by Reddy (BO stinks)
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To: 21twelve

It’s psychological reinforcement - the list causes you to stick to things more than you would without.


17 posted on 07/17/2024 2:10:33 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: fwdude

My list of what I need to do grows much faster than it shrinks.
It takes me 10 times longer to do things today than 10 years back.
Maybe as my back surgery (doing well) I will get more productive.
I’m counting on it.


18 posted on 07/17/2024 2:13:35 PM PDT by right way right (“May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope”)
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To: Alberta's Child

I admit that there is a temptation, in nearly everything, to focus too much on the tool and allow the objective to accomplish suffer. That’s why these day timers always seem like such nonsense. And they’re EXPENSIVE.


19 posted on 07/17/2024 2:31:34 PM PDT by fwdude ( Never trust a movement whose symbol is a raised fist.)
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To: Lazamataz

I learned when In about 7th-8th grade:

WRITE THINGS DOWN.

Wherever or whatever.

YOU WILL REMEMBER THINGS BETTER-—FOR A LONG TIME.

I have POST IT notes all over the house.. Think of something I need to take care of-—write note—discard when item is handled.

THANK YOU-—3M !!!!


20 posted on 07/17/2024 2:43:11 PM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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