My Card Shuffle To Do System (for people who can’t do normal to do lists)

by Sapphire (February 8, 2008)

I’ve finally found a to do system that inspires my creativity, keeps me on track, and makes me feel like I’m getting stuff done - all of which reduces my stress. I got the idea from reading about Zen to Done, but I never finished reading the article (because stress gives me a severe case of attention deficit). Anyway, here’s what I came up with:

I take four index cards. On the first one, I put everything I want to get done ASAP. On the next card, I put stuff that it’s not yet time to do, but I’m definitely going to do it when the time is right. On the third card, I put the stuff that I’m positive I have to do something about, but I’m sketchy on ideas. On the fourth card: ideas for stuff I might do.

On a given day, I look at the first card and choose one to three items (depending how much time they’ll take) I must get done that day. After completing those, I work on others. When that card’s all scratched out - or some of the tasks got put on hold because they need something from someone else - I move some stuff up from the second card. While I’m at it, I look at the third and fourth cards to see what else can move up a card or two. And I keep adding ideas to that fourth card.

Somehow, the way these cards “shuffle” my ideas from nebulous to crystal clear to DONE is really working for my brain. I’m one of those people who can be very organized, but has to keep it all in her head because no system of due dates and reminders and nested tasks quite works. My brain doesn’t think in those ways. This is absolutely perfect for me.

If you prefer to do it online, I’d use SimpleGTD’s Next Actions page, set up four Projects (maybe “Today”, “Soon”, “Sketchy” and “Ideas”) and keep moving items up. SimpleGTD also lets you print your to do lists nicely, so you could have a hard copy to keep with you at all times and the electronic version for backup.

Posted in Staying on Track
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