Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of writing down tasks to manage them effectively, suggesting both traditional and digital methods to keep track of to-do items.

Abstract

As the new year approaches, the article discusses the challenge of remembering all the tasks that accumulate in our lives, spanning across work, family, hobbies, and more. It recommends developing the habit of using a to-do list to alleviate the cognitive burden of memorization. The author advocates for the simplicity of a pad and pen for task capture, while also highlighting the convenience of digital tools like the Apple Reminders app, which offers features such as notifications and task organization. The article underscores the benefits of synchronization across devices and the integration with other productivity apps, ultimately advocating for a systematic approach to task management that can lead to increased organization and peace of mind.

Opinions

The author believes that the human brain is not designed to remember a multitude of tasks but to focus on performing them, thus advocating for externalizing task management.
Using a to-do list is seen as a straightforward and effective method to ensure tasks are not forgotten, with the author expressing a personal reliance on their own list.
The article suggests that technology, while not mandatory, can enhance the task management process through features like reminders and compartmentalization of tasks by category.
The author shares a preference for Apple Reminders due to its seamless integration across Apple devices and its ability to sync with other productivity tools like Spark Mail and Fantastical, indicating a belief in the value of interconnected systems for productivity.
There is an opinion that capturing all tasks frees the mind to focus on the work at hand, suggesting a belief in the psychological benefits of reducing mental clutter.
The author implies that readers will notice a significant improvement in their organizational skills by adopting these practices, showing confidence in the effectiveness of the recommended methods.

This Is The First Thing You Should Do

Create a habit and start doing

As we say goodbye to 2021, it’s time to think about tackling the next 12 months.

Our list of things to do is ever-growing, and sometimes it feels like it never shrinks. But how do you make sure you remember to do what needs to be done?

My number one tip is — Write it down….

Your brain is not designed to remember lots, but to do stuff.

If you don’t already use a to-do list, start a new habit to capture everything you need to do, and reduce the strain on your brain!

There is so much going on in our lives; work, family, pleasure, hobbies, that it’s impossible to keep on top of everything that needs to be done.

I’d be lost without my to-do list.

No, I wouldn’t be lost, I’d just forget to do stuff!

Using a to-do list doesn’t have to be difficult.

You don’t have to use technology.

The trusty pad and pen

Keeping a pad and pen handy for writing down notes is just as good, if not as convenient.

As soon as I know there is a task for me to do, I capture it.

It’s quick, simple and means I won’t forget about it.

Each day, I will review all the tasks and decide when they need to be done.

There’s an app for that...

As well as just making sure I have got the task written down somewhere, one benefit of an app is to help you to keep things in order, compartmentalising your tasks for various things; e.g. work, a home project, a shopping list, hobby, along with the added functionality of notifications to remind you when it’s time to do something.

There are many apps on the market, but the one I’m using is Apple Reminders. I have this app on my iPhone and it’s also open on my MacBook; so it’s never far to jot down what I need to do.

If I need to add more details, then I can also add notes to the tasks.

For example, I use Spark Mail for my emails, and if I need to take action on an email, I can quickly send it to Reminders, where it contains a link back to the original email.

I use Fantastical as my calendar, and I can see my tasks in there too. It’s a two-way synchronisation, which means I can add tasks and they sync to Reminders, or I can mark them as complete in my calendar and that syncs back as well.

Using a task manager has been crucial for remembering what I need to do.

Remember, the first thing to do is write it down.

Capture everything you need to do and that will free your mind to continue the work you need to do.

You’ll be amazed at how organised you become.

Thank you for reading

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