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.

Relating next actions to projects

Because I am a rule-obeying control freak who's obsessed to do things by the book, I'm wondering about this. I read the book and am preparing to implement this system, but one thing I'm not clear about is how to handle projects.

The book says that the "Projects" list is a reminder for my open loops - OK.
The book says that next actions for projects don't go on the "Projects" list, but on the various action lists - "Calls", "At work" etc - OK.
It makes sense - it keeps the "Projects" list uncluttered and just a list of projects, nothing more.

But - if my project to "Fix car windows" starts with "Call Earl re that mechanic he recommended", which goes on the "Calls" list, when I have called Earl, how do I know it's related to the "Fix car windows" project (which now needs a new next action)? If it were just a handful of projects I could probably keep it in my head, but that approach seems counter to what GTD is about.

I guess I could just put some kind of indicator next to "Call Earl about...", like "Car windows: Call Earl...", but first I'd like to know how this should be handled according to the book. I haven't managed to figure it out yet.

I have a feeling I'll have a hard time tweaking GTD to fit me if I'm going to be like this all the time... Oh well ;)

StuGib's picture

If you want/need Palm synchronisation...

If you want/need Palm synchronisation (or even if you don't because it can work standalone), Bonsai v4 also has the 'complete subtasks in order' next action feature like MLO. The advantage of this kind of feature is that you can use a 'define next action' action to automatically remind you to look again at your project once you complete the next 'next action' (if that makes sense?!).

I think this issue probably accounts for about 20% of the entire traffic on some GTD discussion lists I've read over the last few years! It tends to come down to 3 solutions:

- Link using some software (either an outline, wiki, tag, contact field etc).
- Flatten your project into one note and keep changing the title (pigpog).
- Don't link and rely on your brain (never trusted myself to believe in this!).

I go for an outline because it can give a plan and do view in one app - I can plan in levels and then filter just to show the next actions. I also want to be able to look forward (here's my project, what are the actions associated with it?) and backward (here's an action, what project does it relate to?).

 
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. »