In the last post, for the first time ever I wrote down explicitly the different areas (or rather, sub-streams) of my life and also started a to-do list for my personal life, which I’ve created in a google sheet and added an app shortcut on the front page of my phone. I’m categorising the tasks in the to-do list by these different sub-streams. 

Downsides

It’s been both depressing and an eye-opener. It’s been a shock to the system. It has most likely added stress over the last few weeks with the realisation I have an avalanche of tasks, all which I want to get done (otherwise they wouldn’t be there) but I simply don’t have time to do.  

I now realise that I have so many darn things on my plate. I now realise I don’t spend enough time on certain areas. I now realise that I should think about what I want to actually do in various categories, otherwise I am completely reactive instead of proactive. It made me realise that I still haven’t found the time to work out how to get a handle on enhancing these categories. The zero-sum nature of it all really is bearing itself.

Upsides

Despite all the above, I don’t think it would be possible for me to set it aside and go back to how things were like before. The streams are imprinted in my head, and I recognise I would be better off grounding myself in a system that enables their maximise enhancement. I recognise that tracking tasks is as important as it is in the workplace, for the same aim – if it ain’t down, it ain’t done.

It gives me the space to reflect on ‘this sub-stream does exist. What should I do in order to move it forward’?

Yes, I can naturally gravitate to the most important task to get done without going through some ‘tracking’. That is what I have done for my whole life. However, there are lots of times when there isn’t something big and obvious to focus on. There are lots of times when the road ahead isn’t immediately clear. Then what? 

There’s a high chance things just gets forgotten, or I unnecessarily prioritise tasks to be done immediately at the expense of doing other things that, when in my head, are just floating in the ether. Big projects lose steam because the view of needing to do a task is gone. 

Another point, while adding to stress, it also feels a bit relieving. There’s just so much, it’s nice just knowing what there is to do and it is somewhere accessible.

Next steps

I do need to iterate. The system isn’t perfect, but the absolute essential is doing it in the first place. There are no doubt infinite numbers of next steps, but as far as I can tell, the most important to me are:

• Working out how to overcome the stress of having a tonne of tasks in front of me. I need to develop a system that allows for not having that overwhelm, or at least better management of it.
• Working out how to capture in one place all the recurring tasks I have / need, so I’m not listing them out each time, because there is a risk I don’t include them on the to do if I forget. Yes, they can and do go in the calendar as a recurrence, but I think it would be useful to see in a list format.