How to get things done efficiently ?

Fact is there are thousand ways to list your tasks and get you remind them. But only a few will work, only because it doesn’t fit to you.

I have tried a lot of GTD systems or tips for now two years and I have found mine about 6 months ago.

Here are my keys!

• Identify your needs: like something to be very easily accessible (multiple times per hours) and without Internet.

• Identify you strength: where you can store your to do list, and be sure that you’ll see it, and keep it accessible and updatable. I have tried the simple sheet of paper slipped in my laptop, but I used to lose it, each time I had to use the keyboard.

• Keep it simple: the most simple it is, the most efficient you will be at managing your todolist. I have read one of the lifehacker reader explaining that he invented some special characters to inform himself about the task (like a cross when It’s done and an array when he needs to callback). This is definitely too complex for me. I need a list of tasks and if I need to callback I write it down, and when the task is done… I just erase it.

Then mix up what’s you found.

To my case:

My needs:

1. something which works off-line
2. something which give me my agenda
3. something which allow me to add some task
4. Something I can hold in a pocket
5. Something which cost less than 10 $…

My strength: my laptop. I use it everyday.

So I use the notebook to manage meetings and appointments but only a few tasks. Which are managed with my todo.txt on my laptop.

This todo.txt is basically simple… as you can see.

Just keep it well visible on your desktop… and if you have something to remember, it should be : the most focused and motivated you are the best it will work. I mean, if you don’t help yourself a little bit, it’s no use to make a todolist …

Another stuff. There is also a simple way to deal with e-mail. I believe a mail should be read as soon it has been received but, if you do not process it immediatly (which may be the most of the time since stopping an activity for an other one is a lack of time) just leave it as unread… And don’t waste a precious time setting up a stupid colored flag to remind you the priority.

This article is obviously dedicated to all my friends who say everyday they do not have time to fix their work…