Organizing your tasks helps you to stay on top of your work

seedling

planted Aug 02, 2021

You should organize your tasks in fitting lists to avoid forgetting about them. Having a few lists gives you the needed order to stay on top of everything.

After capturing all your ideas and tasks and clarifying your tasks you should organize them in a way, that makes it easy for you to always be aware of your to-dos. This is the third step of getting things done.

To organize all items, you should make lists of your projects, timed events etc.

David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology recommends these seven categories:

1. Projects list

This is a list of all your projects. This is meant to serve as an overview for all your projects that you are working on and prevents you from forgetting any projects over time.

2. Project support material

This is information (reference files) that you will probably need during a project.

3. Calendar actions

This is your calendar. Write only time crucial items in your calendar. Don't note anything on there that you would like to be done at that date, but that isn't necessary.

4. Next action list

This is a list of every next action that is required in every project. It might be useful, to sort them by context to allow you to see what action you can now work on. Useful contexts are:

• on computer
• errands
• partner/person x
• calls
• at office
• at home
• anywhere
• read/review

5. Waiting for list

This is a list of tasks and projects that you are currently waiting for others to take action. Review these regularly and check in with the other person.

6. Reference material

Your document system with all items that only contain information and require no action.

7. Some day maybe list

A list of things and ideas that you might like to do in the future. Let your imagination run wild. This can be anything.