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Daily Lists

Having read GTD quite a while ago now, I can't seem to remember if Allen mentioned any ways of creating daily lists. You know, the things that you do every day. For example - Check emails, clear voice mail, tidy desk, check calendar, diary, tickler etc . I'm just curious to how you guys manage these daily lists.

What I do, is every week when I do my weekly review is create a 'Dailys' excel file where I have a list of all the things I want to get done daily and I have a check box for each. This piece of paper is stuck on my desk. Personally I've found this a really effective way to get my daily things done, I get a sense of pleasure in ticking off items on the list. Being a graphic design student I've actually added in some other items that I would like to get done daily - such as complete one illustrator tutorial a day, and participate on graphic design forums (this idea sort of came from Steve Pavlina's 30 day trial idea).

Every week if I manage to get everything in my daily list checked off for a particular section, for example checking email, I challenge it for the next week and change 'check email' to 'check email - READ and REPLY'. This means I can't check this item off the list unless I've read through and replied to all my emails, so I don't just check to see there are emails. I will read through them all and reply to them (if required) as well.

Anyways, I just wanted to share that, and also wondering how you guys manage your daily rituals.

Stew's picture

Along these lines, I've been...

Craig;6121 wrote:
Along these lines, I've been thinking of writing up an end-of-the-workday routine checklist, among other reasons to develop better habits about setting up a "downhill" start to the next workday. Do any of you use one of these (mental or hardcopy), and if so, would you share it?

I don't have an end of the workday list, but I do use several routine checklists. For example, I have an index card of things to do while getting ready in the morning (brush teeth, etc). I keep it taped to the inside of my medicine cabinet for those days when I'm running late. Sounds silly, but it's often these routine things that are forgotten when I have something else on my mind.

Perhaps the one thing I know I will do at the end of every day is process my email and voice messages. Unless I'm in a meeting, I will start at 4:00 to give myself enough time to reply and make a few phone calls if needed.

 
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