This is the 2nd part of the previous post “How to achieve your 2010 goals?” which I consider an important part for one to achieve her/his goals; managing a To-Do list and how to kill items within a list.
Where can you find my “To-Do” Lists?
I have to admit, that I have problems with killing items off my lists, and as I said earlier, I am a goal-oriented person rather than being task-oriented. But the problem is sometimes you need to pressure yourself with some tasks in order to get the job done. Therefore I tend to use each and every available tool that will help me kill the tasks off my list.
1- iPhone notes
I just write down all the stuff that I have to do along with any notes or comments to each task. I regularly check my iPhone notes and kill some of the items off it, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any items that live for more than 2 or 3 months or even more.
2- Force Do
ForceDo.com is a very cool To-Do list manager. This one page, web app really helped and continues to help in killing items off my lists. I just set it as my homepage across the browsers I use, and whenever I open a browser, I find all the pending tasks which beg me to be done, right in front of my face!
3- Post-it notes
Yeah, this image is how my laptop’s screen looks like! I think I reached a level of blindness to those notes hanging all over my screen! I just don’t feel like killing these old tasks, or I might have killed them but never removed its note.
4- Calendar reminders
I add the tasks that I think should REALLY be done very soon, to my calendar and set alarms and reminders to make me aware that I still have tasks and items on my lists that should be killed!
5- Mind mapping
Yeah, I love drawing maps of my thoughts and the things I should do, although I end up with a huge map that contains irrelevant items, but it makes me feel so good and it inspires me, it really does!
6- Whiteboards and Notepads
Nothing is better than old school items! Sketching on notepads and whiteboards! I just love writing down everything I have to do. The best part is when I get any of the tasks done, I scratch it aggressively and happily as well. 
I don’t think I can tell you how to achieve your goals or to kill items off your task lists, since this issue depends on YOU and the nature of the task itself. No one can tell you how to get your things done better than YOU! Just make sure that you set goals and deadlines to achieve them or at least work hard on achieving them and I guarantee you that you will be getting the feedback and results you are looking for.
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@beginnerblogger
January 8, 2010 at 11:37 amOh wow – force do sounds PERFECT! I love playing little games to get my task list done – like setting a timer and seeing how much I can do in a certain time-frame and try and beat that. ForceDo sounds like it does all that.
I think people spend too much time trying new tools that they think will help their task-list management when in the end all they’re doing is procrastinating. I was guilty of this for pretty much my entire university life – I read Getting Things Done by David Allen and kept searching for the perfect tool and system that would get all my work done, but at the end of the day you just need to take action and do it.
What’s working for me now – A whiteboard that lists my Monthly goals. A nice piece of paper which lists my weekly goals then scrap paper or anything really to write down some daily goals. I write down notes and brainstorm all the time on scrap/notepad paper.
TAKE ACTION! ;) Cheers for the word about forcedo.com signing up now ;)
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com´s last blog ..Someone Started Following Me On Twitter! What Do You Do?
@steitiyeh
January 8, 2010 at 11:40 amhhehehe I remember my reaction when i first heard of ForceDo hehehe it is exactly like yours right now!! Yeah I so agree that nothing will help you get rid of your lists other than taking actions and YOURSELF! It all depends on yourself!
Thanks for the comment Sarge!
@benlumley6
January 8, 2010 at 11:45 amAgree with Sarge, Forcedo.com looks sweet
For me I use 3 things.
1) My moleskine – I have it divided into different sections for tasks, goals and reference.
2) My iPod Touch notes app – can’t live without it
3) My whiteboard – I don’t utilize this as much as I should be I do mindmap and brainstorm on it.
Nice article – thanks
@lifenotion
January 8, 2010 at 11:49 amWow, I would have to agree with Sarge on this one. I have tried many tasks apps and sites, which include Teux Deux and iCal. But, what keeps me on top of things the most is something that is not technological such as writing things on a whiteboard or post-it notes.
Problem with these methods is that they are are not portable and usually seem to never get erased for me. Erasing your to-dos is something I am not very good at, especially erasing them right after I complete them to stay on top of everything.
Figuring out what works is key though in order to get what you want done and make sure you are staying true to your goals each and every day. Once you lose sight you will only hurt yourself.
I know this year I am using my iPod touch app todo list, Teux Duex, iCal, and then a white board / corkboard to ensure I get everything done on time. No procrastination is what I am aiming for.
Best Regards.
P.S. I see you added the Meebo bar
Derek Jensen´s last blog ..Chegg.com is ‘Risk’ Free
@steitiyeh
January 8, 2010 at 11:57 am@Derek I also think that classic and traditional ways help me kill items faster, but what I do is that I list my items EVERYWHERE! whiteboard, iphone, online, notepads everywhere hehehe so where ever I am, I can see the tasks infront of me and kill them!
For me, the best tool is notepads! I just love’em!
Yeah I have JUST added the meebo bar, what do you think about it?
@Ileane
January 8, 2010 at 12:39 pmHi there, I have a mental to-do list which is probably the worst kind, seems like I’m always forgetting something. lol
Did you submit this post to Blog Engage yet? I don’t see a link.
Thanks for the reminders.
Ileane @Blogging´s last blog ..Blog Engage Activity for Ms. Ileane Speaks in November
@Ileane
January 8, 2010 at 12:43 pmNevermind, I found it. I voted and retweeted. Cheers!
Ileane @Blogging´s last blog ..Blog Engagers That Make My Day!
@lifenotion
January 8, 2010 at 1:30 pmYeah I love just using small tablets of paper. :D
I have only seen the bar at Mashable before your blog and don’t understand the importance of it really. I like it, but I use Wibiya which allows me to put my twitter, facebook fan page, and youtube videos.
Tell me more about it though!
@howtomakemyblog
January 8, 2010 at 7:38 pmI don’t really do much to-do list writing… usually everything in my inbox is my to-do list and I try to clear up as soon as I get something. Same with Google Docs, whatever is in there, it means that I am working on… so when I need ideas for a post, I go there and start writing…
Marko Saric´s last blog ..6 simple but cool Thesis theme WordPress design tips
@steitiyeh
January 8, 2010 at 9:23 pm@marko, what if you find out something you want to fix on your blog, or a subject crossed your mind while you’re in the movies or out with friends, what would you do? don’t you write down notes or something? I personally have a very bad memory, so I write down every tiny idea that crosses my mind, just not to miss it!
Thanks for the comment btw
@steitiyeh
January 8, 2010 at 9:23 pm@Ileane, I will never use my mind as a to-do list, NEVER!I am bad when it comes to remembering stuff! heheh
@hotblogtips
January 8, 2010 at 10:24 pmI wrote an article on this topic recently and got some great suggestions in my comments. I have been re-discovering using Outlook for my tasks, and I integrate MS OneNote with it, so far I like it and it has removed several notepads (I still keep one to jot notes) and my post it notes are gone!
I am checking out forcedo now.
Keith´s last blog ..4 Tips to Promote Your Article
@steitiyeh
January 8, 2010 at 10:35 pm@Keith, unfortunately I am not a Microsoft fan and I am an Ubuntu user and Gmail is my main email client :D I actually have an real notepad with me where ever I go!
@TheInfoPreneur
January 11, 2010 at 2:53 pmFor me the I have to write it down other wise all the other stuff in my tiny brain pushes it out, especially now I’m really busy with the site.
I love post it notes and typing in reminders into my phone. I also call my self and leave an answer message sometimes if I feel really exicted about an idea and have a lot to say.
Good post buddy well worth a re-tweet
@wwwraywoltman
January 12, 2010 at 1:52 pmI took a look at force do. I think I prefer the gadget I found for my iGoogle homepage. It’s a little virtual post-it to do list. I like the other suggestions very much, however.
Ray
Ray´s last blog ..The World’s First …wait for it…Sex Robot
@bigredtomato
January 12, 2010 at 2:49 pmI’ve not heard of Forcedo.com but I’m going to take a look. Thanks for the mention.
What I find really helpful is to start the day by taking 3 things from your to do list and completing them all. Only when the 3 items on your list are complete can you take another 3 items off your to do list.
@GiveABrick
January 12, 2010 at 4:29 pmHi,
I have to agree with you about Notes on the iPhone. It is brilliant for me as I can just write a few thoughts as they come to me and keep them safe for later. My first choice though is a nice pen and spiral bound note-book. I must have at least six! But unlike the notebooks, on pain of death I can not lose my phone ;)
I’m looking forward to reading part one of this series,
Eleanor
Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..Do Paypal really like good causes?
@candysbytes
January 12, 2010 at 5:58 pmWow, what a great tip for ForceDo! Thanks.
3-M, the makers of Post-its has a digital post-it product that I used for a while. Then changed computers and never reinstalled it. Hmmm…have to think about getting it again. They have a free trial….
http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/products/prod_digital.html?WT.ac=SideNav-Products-DigitalProducts
CaZ´s last blog ..Working From Home Pet Peeve #46576
@steitiyeh
January 12, 2010 at 6:13 pm@CaZ I am glad you liked ForceDo, Thanks for the intro on Digital Post-its I am checking them right now!
@Eleanor, I agree with you, nothing is better than Old School! I always have my notebook and pen!
Cheers
Steit
A topic dear to my heart! I used to write everything on my whiteboard until one day it got to the point where I spent more time working out what to do next than I did actually doing any of the tasks I had written down.
I transferred everything to an electronic to-do list and then only picked the next task from the list to put on the board, if needed. That allowed me to focus on one thing at a time until it was done.
It works for me and over the last 3 weeks I have managed to get more done on a particular project than I have in the last 3 months.
@elledine
January 15, 2010 at 3:19 amI am a fan of a small notebook. I keep a to do list in it and also write down ideas wherever I am.
There is something permanent about writing on paper…
I also like to use Outlook to remind myself of tasks since my computer at work supports it. I also e mail myself ideas for work from home and from work to home.
It was an interesting post and I enjoyed reading the similarities in challenges to getting through the to do list!
Michelle
Michelle Licudine´s last blog ..3 Color Print
@badboybob
January 25, 2010 at 8:49 pmIt’s good to see how other people are managing their tasks. For me, I’m old school with the pen & paper method but transfer everything to Basecamp for a permanent record.
It seems a lot of people are having trouble ticking things off their list which I think’s funny as that’s the best bit, no?!
The simple way round this is to remember *one* thing… the weekly review. Take an hour one day a week to review, update and tick of the tasks that you’ve completed and no longer apply.
Try it, it really is great at refocussing your efforts to stay productive.
HTH, Alex
@steitiyeh
January 25, 2010 at 9:16 pm@Alex, I totally agree with the 1 hour a week review, I liked! Should give it a try this weekend :D
Thanks for the comment mate
Best,
Steit
@ralphcarlson
January 30, 2010 at 2:33 amPost it notes work best if I really have to get something done. I really don’t take any advantage of a home page. Maybe I am missing something.
Ralph´s last blog ..The Top 10 Reasons to Post Daily
ForceDo is a great tool!! thanks for sharing Firas ;)