Ever wondered, “There are so many free to-do list apps out there. Which one’s the best for my needs?” Well, you’re not alone.

Finding the right to-do list app for you can be a daunting task. With so many options out there, how do you know which one is best for your needs?

Fortunately, there are a few things you can consider that can help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect app for you.

Your Budget

First, consider your budget. Do you want a free app, or are you willing to spend some money for a more robust and feature-rich app? Free apps tend to be more basic and often lack the features of more expensive apps.

However, there are plenty of great free to-do list apps available, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs.

The Features You Need

Next, consider the features you need. Do you need a calendar view? Do you need to be able to assign tasks to other people? Do you need reminders or notifications? Think about the features you need and look for an app that has all of them.

User Experience

Third, consider the user experience. Is the app easy to use? Does it have a clean and intuitive interface? Does it have helpful tutorials and tips to help you get started? Does it have a search function? Does it have a way to customize the look and feel of the app? These are all important questions to consider when browsing free to-do list apps.

App Platform

Finally, consider the platform. Do you need an app for your computer, phone, or tablet? Different apps may be available for various platforms, so make sure you’re looking for one that’s compatible with your device.

Get Ready To Take Control Of Your Life With The FortyThree.me App

FortyThree.me is the perfect solution for iOS and Android users who want to maximize their efficiency and manage their lives using the 43 Folders System.

The 43 Folders System provides an ingenious way to remind oneself of essential tasks in the future. It’s like a gentle “tickling” of one’s memory, ensuring that the task at hand will not be forgotten.

With a maximum of 31 folders for each day of the month and 12 folders for the year, this system gives you the perfect way to stay organized.

Simply put any short-term items into the daily folder to plan for the current month, and keep any items that require attention in the future in their corresponding monthly folder. That’s why the 43 Folders System is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay productive.

Watch this video to learn more about how the 43 Folders tickler file system can help you.

Download and try FortyThree.me for free today!

The Benefits of Using To-Do List Apps

We’ve all been there – you have a million and one tasks to complete, but it can be challenging to stay organized and motivated. That’s where free to-do list apps like the fortythree.me app come in. They make it easier than ever to stay on top of your tasks and take control of your time.

To-do list apps are designed with productivity in mind. They allow you to easily create and manage lists of tasks, with the ability to add reminders, set due dates, and track your progress.

Having all your tasks laid out in one place gives you a better overview of what needs to be done. This helps to prevent tasks from slipping through the cracks and allows you to prioritize more effectively.

To-do list apps also offer various features to make managing your tasks even easier. For example, you can add notes, categorize tasks, add tags, and even share lists with others. This makes it more effortless to collaborate with colleagues or family members and ensures that everyone stays on the same page.

In addition to helping you stay organized, to-do list apps can also help you stay motivated. You can use them to set and track goals, break down tasks into smaller chunks, and reward yourself for completing tasks. This helps keep you focused and motivated to achieve your goals.

Overall, to-do list apps are an invaluable tool for staying organized, productive, and motivated. With the help of these apps, it’s easier than ever to manage your tasks, stay on top of your goals, and take control of your time.

We hope you enjoyed this post on free to-do list apps. Don’t forget to try out fortythree.me here for free today.

The post Free To-Do List Apps – Finding The Right One For You appeared first on Fortythree.me.

If you’re spending too much time on social media or aimlessly scrolling through your newsfeed, it’s a sign that you’re not being productive. Consequently, you’re likely to find that many of your intended tasks remain unfinished by the end of the day.

Once you lag behind in your tasks, it can be hard to make up for lost time as your to-do list continues to grow. In addition, struggling to keep up with deadlines can damage your morale, resulting in stress and overwhelming anxiety.

A personal productivity system like a personal productivity app can be a great way to regain control and boost your productivity. You can work more efficiently and effectively with the right system, getting back on track in no time.

What is a Personal Productivity App?

A personal productivity app is a digital tool that can be used on your smartphone to streamline your workflow. For example, you can create a to-do list using the system to add both short-term and long-term goals.

Personal productivity software is designed to enhance your efficiency and help you focus on what is essential today. So, if you need help optimizing your workflow and making the most of your time, a personal productivity software or digital application like fortythree.me can be beneficial. Incorporating a personal productivity system can positively impact your life and reduce your stress levels.

5 Reasons You Should Use a Personal Productivity App

Personal productivity apps provide us with an incredible opportunity to bring structure and order to our lives. They can help us to stay organized and focused, allowing us to achieve our goals more efficiently.

Let’s further explore the top 5 reasons why you should use a personal productivity system to get the most out of your day.

1. Keeps tasks and goals organized

A personal productivity system can help you break your tasks into smaller, achievable goals and prioritize them accordingly. By tracking your progress, you can stay motivated and focused on completing the tasks and goals that are most important to you. Additionally, a productivity app can help you keep track of deadlines and ensure you don’t miss any important dates.

2. Easily track progress on projects

A personal productivity app can help you easily track your progress on projects. With visual progress bars, you can easily see how far along you are with each task and track your progress over time. This can help you stay motivated and on top of your projects, as you can clearly see how close you are to completing them. Also, having all of your tasks and goals in one place can help keep you organized and on track.

3. Helps manage time more effectively

It can help you set realistic goals and deadlines, as well as allow you to track how much time you spend on each task. This can help you stay focused on completing tasks promptly and measure how much progress you are making. Additionally, a personal productivity app can provide helpful reminders and notifications to ensure you stay on top of your tasks.

4. Provides a single source of truth for all tasks  

With a personal productivity app, you can efficiently access your tasks and goals in one place. This means you don’t have to worry about forgetting a task or goal because they’re all stored in one centralized location. And it can provide you with helpful reminders and notifications to ensure that you stay on top of your tasks.

5. Allows for quick reference to tasks and notes

A personal productivity app also allows you to quickly reference your tasks and notes. This can help you stay organized and on top of your work, as you can easily access all the information on your phone. You can also use the app to quickly search for specific tasks or notes, which can help you save time and effort.

With a personal productivity app, you’re able to do more work in less time.

How to Track Personal Productivity

Productivity is something that many people strive for, but it can often be challenging to measure and track. However, there are a couple of methods you can try to track your productivity, including:

• Use a Tickler File App: Utilizing a 43-folder tickler file app, like Fortythree.me, can be a great way to track task progress. It provides folders to organize and prioritize tasks to ensure you are staying on track. This system can be a great way to ensure you follow through on your to-do list.
• Define Your Long-term and Short-term Tasks: Break down your goals into achievable tasks. Separate them into long-term and short-term lists – for example, by weekly, monthly, or yearly goals. This will help you stay on track and be more productive in achieving your goals.
• Break down Long-term Activities into Weekly Milestones: Milestones are one of the best ways you can stick to track your progress. For instance, weekly or monthly milestones not only help you measure your progress but also assist in being more productive, saving you a ton of time and effort.

Ultimately, using 43me, a personal productivity app, you can track your progress, be more productive, and make the most of your time. Download it for free today and try it out!

The post 5 Reasons Why You Need a Personal Productivity App in Your Life appeared first on Fortythree.me.

Getting Things Done (GTD) is a task management strategy and time management system defined by David Allen, a business expert in time management and productivity. Allen wrote a book with the same title on Productivity – Getting Things Done (The Art of Stress-Free Productivity). Allen’s work teaches business owners how to improve their productivity with a GTD Tickler File system.

When it comes to Allen’s GTD system, knowing about a tickler system significantly enhances the applicability of his principles. It is one of the core tools for a properly set up of getting things done system.

A tickler file is a system of labeled folders that hold tasks that need attention at a specific date and time in the future. It is also known as the 43 Folders System and is based on David Allen’s GTD (Getting Things Done) tickler file system. In this context, a tickler file is the core system for managing deferred tasks during the inbox cleaning process.

A tickler file aims at better task management in professional environments. While technological advancements have revamped task management, professionals still believe Allen’s tickler filing system helps them seamlessly manage their official routines.

A brief history of the tickler file system

The use of tickler cards links back to the twentieth century. To manage legal tasks, the law agents used to create cards labeled with assignments. Later on, the concept was derived and expanded by various authors, especially those having written books for productivity and self-help. Allen proposed it as a key system to organize the follow-up on deferred tasks and topics.

Why a tickler system is essential for Getting Things Done (GTD)

Better thoughts and task management

You’ll be able to think more clearly and act more effectively when you’re not feeling overwhelmed. Keeping things organized in a tickler file is a great way to ensure that the right information is available to you when you need it. You can label items and file them according to when they need to be recalled, and you’ll never miss an important deadline or forget something important.

Task management by day, month, or year

A tickler file system is an effective way to manage tasks and organize your to-do lists. It consists of 43 file folders – up to 31 folders for each day of the month and 12 for each month. By filing tasks in their respective folders, you can easily keep track of your jobs, ideas, and other thoughts in a timely manner. In this way, a tickler file serves as an efficient GTD task manager.

Better project management

Project managers often find themselves juggling multiple projects. It’s important to be able to start, manage, and track progress on these projects efficiently in order to meet deadlines and achieve desired outcomes. A tickler file system can be an invaluable tool for managing tasks and prioritizing them based on their urgency. Whether a job needs to be addressed immediately or can wait for a later time, the 43-folder file system can make sure it gets done.

Traditional vs. GTD Electronic Tickler System

In David Allen’s book, he explains how GTD utilizes a paper system. Some individuals still opt for the traditional method of setting up a GTD tickler file system with physical folders. On the other hand, others manage their tasks with digital tools and applications. It is also possible to use a combination of both or select one based on prior experience, personal preference, and organizational needs.

How does the 43 folder division work in a GTD tickler file?

A tickler file system is composed of a file or document for each day of a month, totaling up to 31. Similarly, 12 files or folders are created for each month of the year. This combination of data gives an accumulative value of 43 files/folders in the system.

The benefit of having 43 divisions is that they cover the entire duration of a year. This allows you to organize thoughts and prioritize tasks more easily, leading to greater clarity and order.

How do you make a tickler file system for GTD?

A tickler file can be a great way to keep your random thoughts and ideas organized. Deciding between a physical file or a digital device, or both to use as your tickler file is an important step in setting up your system.

If you’re looking for software or an app version, check out fortythree.me. It has all the tools you need.

And if you prefer building a tickler file manually, here’s what you need to do.

1. Collect 43 physical file folders – 31 for days of a month and 12 for the months in a year.
2. Label the files according to the numbers of the days and the names of the months.
3. Put all necessary and relevant to-do lists in appropriate folders.
4. Arrange your files in order – keep records with close deadlines on top.
5. Check the folders regularly, rearrange, and update data accordingly.

Traditional vs. Digital Tickler System

Overview

The traditional tickler File system consists of 43 files and folders – 31 for monthly days and 12 for months. On the other hand, a Digital tickler File system involves the use of a tool, device, or smartphone app to create and manage a GTD electronic tickler system.

Difference

Both systems are different from each other – in terms of system requirements, arranging and managing routines, and the way you keep the system in place – one involves file folders, while the other consists of digital assets. However, conventional or digital systems work in the same manner.

Recommendations

Using a tickler file system depends on the skill set. The traditional system requires the management of files and folders in a specific order. As compared to the traditional method, if you prefer to use digital apps, you should never miss out on using a tickler system software for seamless productivity and low cost.

Conclusion

A tickler system that functions as your personal digital filing system for GTD is essential for managing both your time and tasks. It creates a streamlined approach to taking notes, tracking progress, and following up on tasks.

Creating and learning how to use one is easy and doesn’t take much time. You can begin by gathering and labeling 43 file folders, or if you prefer, you can use an electronic tickler system like fortythree.me to build an electronic filing system.

So use this 43-folder file type of system because they are an invaluable tool for staying organized and ensuring that important tasks, topics, and projects are followed up on.

The post Why A Tickler File System Is Essential For GTD (Getting Things Done) appeared first on Fortythree.me.

Check out this brief video explainer of how a tickler file works.

And it’s easy to set up and allows you to track tasks in a way that is both organized and accessible. In this post, we’ll discuss how to create a tickler file system in just three simple steps. Let’s get started.

How To Create A Tickler File System

1. To begin, create two folders (either physical or digital) – one titled “Current” and one titled “Future”.
   Then, add a folder for each month of the year to the Current folder. This will serve as the main part of your tickler file system.
2. In each monthly folder, add a folder for each day of the month. This makes it easy to quickly find any tasks you might have scheduled for a particular day.

You can also add sub-folders to any of the daily folders if you need more organization. This can be useful for categorizing tasks by type or priority.

3. Finally, add tasks to your tickler file system by creating a document and filling it out with any tasks that are due in the current or future months.

Be sure to include the task, the due date, and any other relevant information. You can also add notes to each task to help you stay organized.

By creating and using a tickler file system, you can easily keep track of important dates and tasks. It allows you to organize your tasks in a way that is both efficient and organized. With a bit of effort, you can ensure you never miss another crucial date or task.

How To Use A Tickler File System

The basic idea behind a tickler file is that you place documents or notes related to upcoming tasks in a series of folders. Each folder is labeled with a number or month, and when the time comes, you know exactly where to look to find the documents you need.

As an example, if you need to do a task in two weeks, you can place the task in the two-week folder. This will help you remember to do the task and make sure it gets done on time.

You can also use a tickler file system to keep track of important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. You can place documents or reminders in the appropriate month folder and never forget an important event.

You can also use a tickler system to help plan for the future. For example, if you want to save for a vacation or a new car, you can store documents related to saving in the future month folder. Then, when that time comes, you’ll have everything you need to help you reach your goal.

A tickler file system is a great way to stay organized and on top of tasks and events. It can help you stay on track and reach your goals.

The Best Tickler File System

Are you looking for an easier way to create a tickler system? If you want to save valuable time and energy in creating a dependable tickler system, check out the fortythree.me app for iOS and Android devices.

Fortythree.me is one of the best tickler file system apps because it is incredibly user-friendly. It will allow you to quickly and easily create new tasks and assign deadlines, so you can stay organized and on top of your to-do list.

It also provides reliable reminders that can be customized to fit the user’s needs. The app is also highly secure, so users can be sure their data is safe and protected.

Click on either the iOS or Android icons below to try it out today for free.

Why Keep A Tickler File System?

We can’t say enough good things about it! Here are the best reasons why you should use a tickler file system in your life.

1. Reduced stress – With a tickler file system, you can easily keep track of deadlines and appointments, reducing the amount of stress you feel when trying to remember everything.
2. Improved productivity – You can quickly find the information you need and be more productive with your time.
3. Increased organization – It helps you keep all your important documents, notes, and reminders in one organized place, allowing you to easily locate any information you need.
4. More time for important tasks – By having a tickler file system, you can focus on tasks that really matter and spend less time trying to remember deadlines and other details.
5. Easier collaboration – A tickler file system allows you to easily share information with others and collaborate on projects without wasting time searching for the right documents.

So click here to try out the fortythree.me app for FREE today.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tickler file system?

A tickler file system is an organizational system that helps you remember tasks that need to be done or events that need to be attended. It is based on the principle of “tickling your memory” by having reminders of what needs to be done.

What materials are needed to create a tickler file system?

The materials needed to create a tickler file system will depend on the type of system you create. For example, if you are creating a physical system, you will need items such as folders, labels, and filing supplies. And if you’re creating a digital system, you’ll need storage space such as a computer, cloud storage, or an app.

Do I need to use a specific system to create a tickler file system?

No, you do not need to use a specific system to create a tickler file system. You can create a system tailored to your needs and preferences, whether physical or digital.

How often should I review my tickler file system?

It is recommended to review your tickler file system at least once a month. This will ensure that you are aware of upcoming tasks or events and can prioritize them accordingly.

What if I need to add or change something in my tickler file system?

If you need to add or change something in your tickler file system, you can do so by making the necessary changes and then updating your physical or digital system. So remember to review your tickler file system regularly to ensure it’s up to date.

Can I use an app to create a tickler file system?

Yes, you definitely can. Try out our very own fortythree.me app for iOS and Android for free to start organizing your life now.

Read More from FortyThree.me

The post How To Create A Tickler File System In 3 Simple Steps appeared first on Fortythree.me.

Have you ever felt like life is getting away from you? It’s easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of everyday life and forget about upcoming events or important tasks that need to get done. So let’s discuss ten great ways how a tickler file can make your life easier.

Now, you may be asking, what’s a tickler file? What does a tickler file mean?? A tickler file is a simple filing system that helps you stay organized, allowing you to easily manage tasks and events. You can read our post, “How To Create A Tickler File System In 3 Simple Steps“, to learn how to create one. Now keep reading to learn more about how this amazing tool can make your life easier!

How A Tickler File Makes Your Life Easier

1. Keeps track of important dates and deadlines.

A tickler file system can help you remember to complete important tasks, follow up on projects, or take action on ideas that you come up with. It can also help you stay organized by providing a timeline for activities that must be done on a regular basis.

2. Helps you stay organized and on top of tasks.

A tickler file is especially beneficial to those who are juggling multiple projects and need to stay organized and on top of deadlines. With a tickler file, you can ensure that nothing is forgotten, and all of your tasks and deadlines can be tracked in one place.

3. Prevents you from forgetting important tasks.

A tickler file stores reminders about important tasks that need to be done or attended to in the future. So it’s an effective way to stay organized and track what needs to be done. By writing out reminders in advance, a tickler file can help you stay ahead of deadlines and better manage future tasks or events.

4. Allows you to easily refer to information stored in the system.

All important documents for a specific event or task can be stored in the tickler file system so you can easily refer to them. You can also set deadlines to remind you of the task in advance and act accordingly.

5. Automatically sends reminders about upcoming events or tasks.

A tickler file system is an effective tool for keeping up with upcoming events and tasks. Automatically sending out reminders can help you keep track of deadlines and appointments and maintain an organized schedule. This can help alleviate the stress of juggling multiple events or tasks simultaneously.

6. Helps you prioritize tasks by placing them in order of importance.

It also provides you with reminders of past-due items and tasks that need to be completed soon. The system acts as an ‘early warning’ to keep you from missing deadlines because it helps you identify which tasks need to be done soon, giving you enough time to properly manage them.

7. Makes it easier to access and review documents.

A tickler file system can make life much easier by streamlining the process of accessing and reviewing documents. Rather than having to search through piles of paperwork or scroll through an infinite list of digital files, a tickler file system allows you to attach documents to alerts and reminders. This means that the documents are easily accessible and can be reviewed on a timely basis.

8. Ensures that all important information is stored in one place.

The tickler file system can store documents such as bills, contracts, and other important paperwork that need to be reviewed or signed at a specific time. This helps to ensure that these tasks are not forgotten and that deadlines are met.

It can also be used to store notes, ideas, and other items that may be useful in the future. This system helps simplify and organize even the most complex tasks, making it easier to locate the items when needed.

9. Reduces the amount of time you spend searching for documents.

A tickler file system helps reduce the time you spend searching for documents, as all important files and tasks are stored in one easy-to-access place. You can organize and store your documents in categories such as “due today”, “due this week”, “due this month”, and “due later”.

This allows you to quickly and easily find all relevant documents and tasks when you need them. Additionally, the “due later” category is a great way to store items that do not need immediate attention but will require your attention in the future.

10. Allows you to plan ahead and anticipate upcoming tasks.

A tickler file system is a great way to plan ahead and anticipate upcoming tasks so you can be well-prepared when the deadline comes. It helps you to stay focused and organized with your tasks and projects by breaking them down into manageable pieces, which ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.

How A Tickler File Makes Your Life Easier – In Conclusion

To summarize, a tickler file system makes your life easier because:

1. It keeps track of important dates and deadlines.
2. Helps you stay organized and on top of tasks.
3. Prevents you from forgetting important tasks.
4. Allows you to easily refer to information stored in the system.
5. Automatically sends reminders about upcoming events or tasks.
6. Helps you prioritize tasks by placing them in order of importance.
7. Makes it easier to access and review documents.
8. Ensures that all important information is stored in one place.
9. Reduces the amount of time you spend searching for documents.
10. Allows you to plan ahead and anticipate upcoming tasks.

A tickler file is an amazing organizational tool that can help you stay on top of your tasks and commitments. It’s an easy-to-use system that can help you keep track of important tasks, documents, projects, and more. With the help of a tickler file, you can save time, stay organized, and keep your life running more smoothly.

So, if you’re looking for a way to make your life easier and more organized, give the tickler file system a try by downloading the FortyThree.Me app today!

Watch The Video To See How A Tickler File Makes Your Life Easier

More Reading from FortyThree.me

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There is just one major problem I have with those. To do lists accumulate. They grow. Everybody knows this phenomenon. A list gets longer and longer. Until, at some point, it is so overwhelming that it’s not helpful anymore. It starts dragging you down, because it seems like you will never ever manage to get through all this.

I think most people have more to dos than they can handle in a day. This means, if you have only one list, every single time you look at it, it will inevitably remind you of all the things you haven’t done yet.

This way, over time, what started as a helpful tool will end up being a productivity killing list of shame. You will start worrying more about what has not been done yet and celebrate less what you have achieved.

Do not let this happen.

Three principles avoid being overwhelmed by your to do list

Have daily to do lists:

To avoid excessively long lists, you need to break your list into smaller chunks. The easiest way to split your tasks is by day. You should be able to focus only on those tasks that really need to be worked on today while hiding the rest.

Most popular to do list apps do a surprisingly bad job at this.

A great way to do this is using a tickler file. It automatically cuts your to do list into daily lists. Thus, each day, you have exactly what you want to do that day on your agenda. All future tasks are hidden from your attention. This gives you focus and motivates to get going. It’s also easier to decide where to start if you have fewer items on your daily agenda.

Be selective with what you put on your list

Only put items on your agenda that you actually will work on. Be realistic. Keep in mind that the planning fallacy will lead you to underestimate the time and effort needed to perform most tasks. You can also use not-to-do lists to force yourself to be more selective

Remove undone tasks

If you have postponed a task more than three times, consider deleting it altogether. Dare to do this. Some tasks may just not be worth it. If you cannot do this, you can keep them in a separate “someday/maybe-list”. A list, which you only check once a month or once a quarter.

Let’s sum up

1. Do not let your to do list grow endlessly. It will inevitably drag you down.
2. Be systematic in your tasks and hide future obligations from your view.
3. Be selective and do not put everything on your list.
4. Be courageous and delete tasks, you might never do.

The post Is Your To-do List A Productivity-Killing List Of Shame? Here’s What To Do appeared first on Fortythree.me.

There are several best practices for a good and helpful to do list. It’s ideal length and level of details depends largely on your personality. Most people get overwhelmed by a too detailed list and should work to keep their to-do-list short.

For some people it is different. For example, if you have ADHD, it can be helpful to be very specific and detailed in your tasks. It makes them more actionable for you. Thus, your ideal list is often significantly longer than for most non-ADHD people.

Most importantly, to do list items should be actionable. That means they should include a verb, so that you really can act upon them.

To do lists can be a great tool, if used right. If you are still struggling with your productivity and with working on the important things for your goals, you might benefit from another tool: the not-to-do-list.

There are actually several ways to use a not-to-do list:

1. The not-to-do-now list
2. The not-done-by-me-list
3. The stop-doing-list

Setting priorities with a no-to-do-now-list

Using the not-to-do list to set priorities for your actual tasks works like this:

Whenever your to do list for a day gets too long, you deliberately divide it in a to-do-list and a not-to-do list for today.

That way, you can get the items on the not-to-do list off your mind and out of your way. You don’t consider them anymore. You reduce the anxiety associated with a long to do list. In effect, you remove build a mental barrier to start working.

Instead, you focus on the most important things for today. Of course, at the end of the day you need to decide, how to deal with the items on the not-to-do list. Will you do, defer, delegate or delete them? In fact, the future folders in a tickler file are a great way to deal with these not-to-do-nows. Items put in there will be out of sight and out of mind. At the same time, you still make sure to reconsider them later.

Focus with a not-done-by-me-list

A variation of this approach is to deliberately delegate tasks from your to do list. So, they are not done by you, but still taken care of. In effect, you set up a not-done-by-me-list. With both approaches you use your not-to-do-list as a tool to set priorities among your tasks.

Build habits with a stop-doing-list

The second type of a not-to-do list could also be called stop-doing-list. It deals with more general topics. It is a collection of activities, habits and mindsets you want to avoid. Topics on this list can include things like “checking social media every twenty minutes”, “drinking more than five cups of coffee a day”, “doing things myself which I should actually delegate”, “eating junk food” etc.

This way you create a checklist of behaviors to avoid. It can be a reminder when you are looking for the reason you feel stuck. But keep in mind that just writing it down does not stop you from doing it. You need to invest in habit building to follow through with your resolutions. [LINK]

Use the not-to-do-list to get back on track

No matter if you use your not-to-do-list for concrete tasks or to remind you self of activities you want quit. These approaches can help you to focus on what is important for your success and your wellbeing. They can help to get you back on track when you feel overwhelmed.

The post Stop being stuck with a not-to-do-list appeared first on Fortythree.me.

This process is very powerful for several reasons. It is a simple structure that provides reliability. It ensures nothing is forgotten. It reduces multi-tasking and stress levels. And it allows to integrate productivity boosters like the pomodoro technique.

I’m a human and on some days, I divert from this schedule. And of course, I must incorporate meetings etc. into my day. But I assure you, I get so much more done when I get close to this way of doing things.

For me, the day starts always with the last thing I do at the evening before. The reason is that I need to have a clear picture of how the day starts before I dive into the day. This way I can make sure that my day starts out the way I want. I make sure, I am not only driven by external forces and emergencies.

So here is the process:

This way, my tickler integrates smoothly into my workflow. It provides overview and structure without creating excess overheadw like many other task management and project management approaches.

1. Chose No. 1 task for tomorrow.

After finishing the last item in my tickler file, I check the list for tomorrow. I select one task to be done first thing in the morning. Then I do whatever I like to spend the evening and later have a good night’s sleep.

2. In the morning: Do my morning routine.

Some people put great effort into their morning routines. For me it’s simple: Get up, get coffee, write for 30 minutes. Writing regularly is a habit I am currently building. So in the future this may change. But I guess I will keep the 30 minutes dedicated to something that matters to me in the future.

3. Do the No. 1 thing selected in the evening

Afterwards, I do the No. 1 task selected the day before. I dive right into it. Morning times are well suited for focused work without distractions. Also, putting the No. 1 task first, helps me to push an important project forward.

4. Check and clean my inboxes

After these first achievements, it is time to check my inboxes. I do this systematically and strictly follow the inbox zero principle. I strongly suggest you follow it too. Delete the irrelevant, do very small items right away, delegate where possible and defer the rest by putting the new items in your tickler file to follow up later.

5. Sort my priorities for today

Now I have a look at my today’s folder in the tickler app. Only this one folder! I sort the tasks into the order I want to work on them. Usually, it is enough to do that intuitively. If not, I do a quick prioritization.

6. Evaluate the workload

Now I make a check if my list is doable. There is absolutely no sense in setting up a to do list that is full of unrealistic targets. If it is unrealistic, I need to shorten it. I decide, what to postpone by moving it to a future folder. In some case I even delete some of the items to follow the 80/20 rule better. Thus, focusing my time on what really sets brings me forwars

7. Working down the list.

I am now set up. I have already had my first achievement for the day and got consistency for an important habit. Both will help me in the long term. And I know exactly what I want to get done today. So, it is time to get things done. I start working the list from top to bottom one by one.

8. Have a short Break every ninety minutes

About every ninety I have a short break of five to ten minutes. I get up to get something to drink and move my body a little. And I let some fresh air in. An important rule for the breaks: No media consumption. No social media, no news, no reddit, no whatever. This too easily drives down a rabbit hole extending my break form a few minutes to half an hour or more.

9. Check my inboxes.

I check my inboxes at a clear schedule. Besides the morning (see above), I check them around noon and about an hour before I stop working. For me this works perfectly well because I do rarely need to deal with emergencies that require attention within five minutes. I also do quick screenings of my inbox to filter out emergencies. These are just very brief scans. This schedule to check e-mails works great for me, but yours might be different. You need to adjust it to your work, your role, and your culture.

10. Stay focused.

This way I work down the list. One by one, I achieve the things wanted for the day. Ticking them of in my daily folder and seeing it getting clear step by step is a motivator. During the day, I make sure to be able to focus and not being distracted too much.

Having a clear system like this and focusing on the topics that are important to you will push your abilities to new levels.

The post How I use my tickler file appeared first on Fortythree.me.

Do you want to get ahead in 2021? In a recent post I explained how you can develop your personal vision for 2021 and beyond.

If you do not have a clear picture of you personal and professional future yet, I strongly recommend to follow the link above and develop one. It can serve as a compass and guiding star for all your activities. It helps you to see clearly what is important and what is not.

Once you have set the direction, you need to set up a system that supports you. A system that is so simple it blends into your flow and does not interfere with your focused deep work. A system that at the same time gives you a structure to organize and prioritize your tasks.

When you have set up a personal productivity system which works for you, by all means stick with it. It probably already fulfills the requirements and best practices outlined here.

On the other hand, you could still see room for improvement or are just not satisfied with your status quo. Then, the dawn of a new year is always an opportunity to try something new.

The tickler file folders method can be your system to manage your tasks and follow-ups in 2021.

It helps you to get organized in your everyday life. It supports you to focus on only those topics that are relevant today. At the same time, it hides future responsibilities from your consciousness and makes sure to bring them back to you when their time comes. This way it keeps your to-do-list short and handy.

The tickler file method is very simple. I explained it in detail in this post.

In essences it consists of 31 folders for days and 12 folders for months. Whenever you get a new task or want to get reminded of something in the future, you put it into the appropriate folder. The system will automatically bring it back to you on the right day.

If one of your goals for 2021 is to get better organized, the tickler file method could be worth a try.

The post Try the tickler file method to get ahead in 2021 appeared first on Fortythree.me.

Your personal producitivity system defines how your organize your work. As the name suggest, setting it up is a very personal thing. Thus there is no one best personal productivity system. There are rather principles to lean on to make your productivity system the perfect one for you.

Being systematic with your work is the only way to stay on top of the high levels of workload common today. One important advice is to have one system into which all your tasks, thoughts and ideas are integrated.

This system should be simple and easy to use. It should allow you to add stuff quickly. And it must be easy to retrieve everything whenever needed. Make sure to keep maintance time low. You do not want to be occupied more with the system than with your actual work.

It is a best practice to have exactly one system. However, this does not mean, that it all has to be in one software. In fact, trying to use one single software will lead to compromises. It will complicate processes for most people. It’s better to use specialized software to support the individual elements. You connect these tools with strong routines and habits.

What are the elements of a personal productivity system?

A working personal productiviy system only needs five tools:

Inboxes

Inboxes are the fuzzy part of your personal productivity system. They are all the channels on which you receive messages, information, requests and tasks. Try to limit the number of your inboxes as much as possible. It is easier to keep an overview if you don’t have to check a thousand places. Sometimes, you will be forced to use extra inboxes. This could be the case if a client uses a project management software or a team-chat. Try to keep these extra boxes to a minimum and make sure to shut them down when they are not needed anymore.

To make inboxes work for you and not against you, you need a clear schedule of when to check your inboxes. At these times, you process the content of your inboxes systematicaly. The rest of the time it is best, not to look at them at all.

The key is, to set up the tools of your personal productivity system in a way that allows you to process all inflow efficiently. All items in your inbox either need to be cleared right away (by deleting, doing or delegating it). Or they move into one of the following tools.

Calender

Your calender should store all time based appointments. It should store nothing else. To dos, tasks and reminders are better handled by the following tools of your personal productivity system. This way, your calender gives you a clear picture of where you have to be when. It also shows you on first sight where free time is available.

Calender blocking is a method to reserve time in your calender for dedicated tasks that need focused deep work. This is ok. You should consider this a meeting with yourself. But please, refrain from blocking your calender for small tasks and reminders in five minute increments. Put these in your tickler file or your to do list.

Tickler file

Your tickler file should act as your reminder and follow up system. The tickler setup of daily and monthly folders is easy to understand and to use. Our digital app automates all necessary processes.

The tickler file stores all deferred tasks, documents and information. It makes sure you see them again at the right time. Until then, they are hidden and don’t clog your focus on what you are actually working on.

To do list

The to do list is the oldest member of your personal productivity toolset. It is very simple: A list of what needs to be done. To do lists have the tendency to become way too long and act against you. That is why a to do list should be refrained to next actions (i.e. something you actually can and want to do).

I even strongly recommend to focus your to do list on things you want to do today. Starting a new list every will force you to set priorities. It reminds you not to stack undone tasks up unquestioned. If you have trouble keeping your to do list short, here are some tricks to make it appear shorter. That way you can trick your mind to focus better.

One possibility is to use your today’s folder in your tickler file as a to do list.

Reference system

The reference system is your place to store stuff: Invoices and receipts, interesting articles and the like. In the past, you needed to develop a sophisticated filing scheme to retreive this stuff agian later. Thanks to notetaking apps with powerfull search functions, these days are over. Just file the stuff in very broad category, tag them and you can be sure to find them again when needed.

How do you connect the tools to work as your individual productivity system?

Routines

The tools described above can be considered the skeleton of your personal productivity system. Your routines are the muscles that hold them together and allow you to move forward. Strong routines can make all the difference. The good news: Just like muscles, they can be trained. Routines and building productive habits is a whole topic of its own. I sometimes cover it in my “principles of work” category. Make sure to check it out.

The most important routines for your personal productivity system are: Your weekly and daily review, the times you check your inboxes, the way your process your inbox and your priority setting.

Goals

The main purpose of your personal productivity system is to make you more efficient. Your goals give you direction. They make clear what is important and what not. Without goals in your work and life you might be very efficient but still running circles and not moving ahead. This also includes your vision of what you want to achieve in your life.

I recommend you to set goals that support your vision on different time horizons. Define your goals for a year and then break them down to smaller fragments like monthly or weekly. Do this as detailed as needed to give you orientation. At the same time make, do not overdo it. Extremely detailed plans won’t help you. The time spent defining them would be much better invested into getting things done.

In your daily work, you use your goals in two ways. First, they are a criterion when prioritizing work. What does not support your goals should not be done, unless you are forced to to it by law or a superior. Secondly, you use them in your weekly and monthly reviews. There you define what needs to be done to further your goals and to advance on your track.

How can you incubate ideas in your personal productivity system?

I think these are best handled in a separte part of your reference system. Note taking apps are well suited here. I maintain lists of business ideas and other opportunities that I find interesting. Those are the things I might follow up on some day, but don’t have want to invest time and energy on right now. I also have a list of travel destinations i’d like to visit some day – a bucket list. Writing these things down helps to get them clearer. At the same time it frees your mind to focus on your current tasks.

You want to make sure to review them on a certain date. To ensure this just place a note “review ideas list” in your tickler file.

The post How to set up a personal productivity system? appeared first on Fortythree.me.