43 Folders

Back to Work

Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.

Join us via RSS, iTunes, or at 5by5.tv.

”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Task that you are waiting on, but need to check status

Maybe I'm trying too hard with this, but I'm curious where other people list their NAs that need to be checked on periodically. I.e. I'm waiting on a conference schedule to be released and it was supposed to happen this weekend. I added a NA Friday to my @Work list to Check Conference Schedule. This morning, I did the NA, but the schedule wasn't released yet. There is no option to sign up or use RSS to be notified when it's released, otherwise I would move it to my @Waiting For list. I hate leaving it on my active list because I'm completing the NA and it feels like I'm not accomplishing things.

Maybe I'm just too anal about things.

Merlin Also's picture

This would be a good...

This would be a good use for a tickler file. You could also create a reminder/alarm to check in after a few days.

In either cast (IMHO) it's probably best to get away from the "waiting on" concept, and think of it in terms of how you can keep the project moving. It's easy to get fixated on a "WO" and lose track of what else you could be doing while you're waiting. If it's truly a bottleneck, make NAs about resolving the bottleneck/pinging that person.

 
EXPLORE 43Folders THE GOOD STUFF

Popular
Today

Popular
Classics

An Oblique Strategy:
Honor thy error as a hidden intention


STAY IN THE LOOP:

Subscribe with Google Reader

Subscribe on Netvibes

Add to Technorati Favorites

Subscribe on Pageflakes

Add RSS feed

The Podcast Feed

Cranking

Merlin used to crank. He’s not cranking any more.

This is an essay about family, priorities, and Shakey’s Pizza, and it’s probably the best thing he’s written. »

Scared Shitless

Merlin’s scared. You’re scared. Everybody is scared.

This is the video of Merlin’s keynote at Webstock 2011. The one where he cried. You should watch it. »