Lately I have begun using a daily to-do list again. I used GTD a lot over the last 1 1/2 years, and it helped me to get a lot of things done, probably too much than I should have. I don't blame this system, but I am suffering from burnout since a few months, and I had to seek professional help. In fact, I still fear that the constant fatigue and depression I experience for some time now might get worse. This was the main reason why I started to think about changing my system.
Now, at the end of each day I write a to-do-list for the next day on the basis of my list of projects/commitments and the next-action-lists I still keep at the moment. The advantage for me is the possibility to draw a line somewhere, to know that even with diminished strength I have done something for my projects. Even more important, I know when the day's work is done (before I am done, too). Actually, it is based on Mark Forsters Idea of the advantages of a closed list, although I still value the complex open "next-action"-lists David Allen suggested, because they help me to collect items for the week. But at the moment, dealing with rapid exhaustion and sudden mood swings downwards, the possibility to draw a line on my daily to-do list helps me a lot to relax.
Another thing that was always hard to accomplish with GTD: Any task that consisted in regular activities. I work as an academic, and I have to write in regular intervals. With a simple daily to-do-list added to my calender, I find it much easier to keep track of the regular tasks as well. Working on the basis of multiple next-action-lists had the disadvantage for me, that it became too easy for me to ignore the regular tasks and enjoy working on little next-actions. And there are always next actions to be done. If you tend to ignore the need for breaks like me, adding a closed list to your system might actually improve focus, plus the benefit to have a clear limit what is for today, and what for tomorrow.
Has anyone experienced similar problems? I am curious, how you deal with regular activities and the challenge to set limits to your workload, as I am still looking for alternative solutions.
Thank you,
Mark