Help me improve my executive function.
January 13, 2019 1:28 PM Subscribe
I am... not a person who is great at adulting. Chores slip by, I procrastinate, and sometimes my work doesn't get done. 1) Did you go from this state to someone who is more or less organized and stays on task? How did you do that? 2) Do you have a habit/task list Android app you can recommend? Specific criteria inside.
I have always been somewhat absent minded and prone to procrastination. I'm hoping to find an Android app that will let me do the following:
1) Track daily things (do the dishes, take my medications, etc)
2) Track single task items (Buy a birthday gift, call the school, etc)
3) Track things that are multi-part, but don't repeat exactly (completing parts of a work project, talking to contractor as project evolves over time, etc)
4) It should send notifications to my phone.
5) If I can set things up via my laptop, and then use it on my phone also, that's ideal.
I currently use Google Calendar to keep track of appointments, etc.
Things that have not worked for me:
- A simple to do list app + a calendar reminder to look at it several times a day.
- Just remembering to do shit. Look, if I could do that, I wouldn't be asking this question, okay?
Basically, I know I can't rely on myself to spontaneously do things, so I am looking for ways to outsource the "impulse to do specific productive things" part of my brain, 'cause it ain't workin'.
Thank you!
I have always been somewhat absent minded and prone to procrastination. I'm hoping to find an Android app that will let me do the following:
1) Track daily things (do the dishes, take my medications, etc)
2) Track single task items (Buy a birthday gift, call the school, etc)
3) Track things that are multi-part, but don't repeat exactly (completing parts of a work project, talking to contractor as project evolves over time, etc)
4) It should send notifications to my phone.
5) If I can set things up via my laptop, and then use it on my phone also, that's ideal.
I currently use Google Calendar to keep track of appointments, etc.
Things that have not worked for me:
- A simple to do list app + a calendar reminder to look at it several times a day.
- Just remembering to do shit. Look, if I could do that, I wouldn't be asking this question, okay?
Basically, I know I can't rely on myself to spontaneously do things, so I am looking for ways to outsource the "impulse to do specific productive things" part of my brain, 'cause it ain't workin'.
Thank you!
This is answering your first question, but not the second. I started keeping a Bullet Journal this year and it has completely changed my life. I’m much better at staying on top of chores, and at being productive throughout the workday.
If you search for “bullet journal” online you’ll get a bunch of beautiful notebooks that are more art projects than simple organizer. That doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, so I recommend checking out bulletjournal.com/pages/learn and this reddit page to start. You can and should adapt “the system” to fit your own needs and wants.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 2:31 PM on January 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
If you search for “bullet journal” online you’ll get a bunch of beautiful notebooks that are more art projects than simple organizer. That doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, so I recommend checking out bulletjournal.com/pages/learn and this reddit page to start. You can and should adapt “the system” to fit your own needs and wants.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 2:31 PM on January 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
I have anxiety with likely adhd - I got diagnosed then undiagnosed because of some stuff but my kid has it bad, and I think my anxiety overcompensates for my adhd side. So I am essentially an organised nightmare.
I cope with lists. Evernote is a godsend because of searching. Dump everything into it by scanning paperwork (photograph with your phone) and then folder file. Don't bother tagging just use descriptive titles. Then keep.notes. I have a folder called reference where I keep a list of routine bills to pay so when I have time, I can scan it and check I actually paid them, the auto pay worked etc.
I put my kid's homework stuff.in a literal box on the table with all supplies together and we can grab it and work with out looking for anything else. I've done the same for things like swim bags, dog walking, travel - lots of go bags with everything prepackaged. It looks organised but it's because otherwise I will have forgotten something vital. It's easier to have a packing list than trust my working memory.
I use online grocery deliveries and a routine shopping list. So time saving and less wearing over supermarkets. I cook the same 10-12 dishes. I can't meal plan ahead so I do dishes I can pantry cook with random fresh and freezer ingredients. Lots of pasta and stir fry.
I don't cook alone or I use Google.home timer set super.loud. Saturday I nearly burned a pot out boiling eggs because I got lost in a book.
Routines are so great. I like small routines like this is what I do when I drink morning coffee, this.is what I do in late afternoon break - not a whole day routine that can get derailed. They need to include pleasant stuff. I got.My morning routines started by literally putting Leslie Knopes, Carrie Fisher etc inspirational pictures all over my room and bathroom to inspire me. YMMV but having a kickass person smile kindly at you helps.
And I do use and recommend android apps habitica, habits and regularly for tracking tasks but the killer for me is still pen and paper. I love a small cheap notepad or the back of an envelope. Write a list and then assign the order to do them in by time sensitivity/priority. I always throw a couple of easy things after hard things and add stuff up front like "eat lunch", "nap" if it's a horrible day. I love my lists so much because they are messy disposable scrawls, and yet a plan.
Also consider outsourcing whatever adulting task you hate the most for a few months to see if that helps. Even if you can in theory do it. I outsourced something I could do six months ago after sitting on it for two years paralyzed with guilt/shame and it was such a good decision.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:39 PM on January 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
I cope with lists. Evernote is a godsend because of searching. Dump everything into it by scanning paperwork (photograph with your phone) and then folder file. Don't bother tagging just use descriptive titles. Then keep.notes. I have a folder called reference where I keep a list of routine bills to pay so when I have time, I can scan it and check I actually paid them, the auto pay worked etc.
I put my kid's homework stuff.in a literal box on the table with all supplies together and we can grab it and work with out looking for anything else. I've done the same for things like swim bags, dog walking, travel - lots of go bags with everything prepackaged. It looks organised but it's because otherwise I will have forgotten something vital. It's easier to have a packing list than trust my working memory.
I use online grocery deliveries and a routine shopping list. So time saving and less wearing over supermarkets. I cook the same 10-12 dishes. I can't meal plan ahead so I do dishes I can pantry cook with random fresh and freezer ingredients. Lots of pasta and stir fry.
I don't cook alone or I use Google.home timer set super.loud. Saturday I nearly burned a pot out boiling eggs because I got lost in a book.
Routines are so great. I like small routines like this is what I do when I drink morning coffee, this.is what I do in late afternoon break - not a whole day routine that can get derailed. They need to include pleasant stuff. I got.My morning routines started by literally putting Leslie Knopes, Carrie Fisher etc inspirational pictures all over my room and bathroom to inspire me. YMMV but having a kickass person smile kindly at you helps.
And I do use and recommend android apps habitica, habits and regularly for tracking tasks but the killer for me is still pen and paper. I love a small cheap notepad or the back of an envelope. Write a list and then assign the order to do them in by time sensitivity/priority. I always throw a couple of easy things after hard things and add stuff up front like "eat lunch", "nap" if it's a horrible day. I love my lists so much because they are messy disposable scrawls, and yet a plan.
Also consider outsourcing whatever adulting task you hate the most for a few months to see if that helps. Even if you can in theory do it. I outsourced something I could do six months ago after sitting on it for two years paralyzed with guilt/shame and it was such a good decision.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:39 PM on January 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
Todoist is not perfect but it does a lot of what you want and has a free version. It has an app on different platforms and also web access. It handles recurring tasks well.
I am pretty disorganized and I occasionally use Todoist to try to remedy this, though I can't say that Todoist has been a complete cure - more of a mitigating factor.
posted by Mid at 2:39 PM on January 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
I am pretty disorganized and I occasionally use Todoist to try to remedy this, though I can't say that Todoist has been a complete cure - more of a mitigating factor.
posted by Mid at 2:39 PM on January 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Oh google keep I think - depending on how you configure your phone and the model, you can usually get one button push to do a speech-to-text reminder set up that goes to Google Keep or Google reminders or the Samsung version, or sent via IFTTT to where you want. I used it set up on my previous phone and it was pretty nice. If you live alone and have an Alexa or Google home, you can use them as a reminder taking system as well.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:43 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:43 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Combo of Trello, Habitica, and Google Calendar. Habitica alone had me way more productive within days of setting it up. I brain dump into Trello, set up various to-do items in Habitica, and schedule them on Calendar.
Since you've probably heard of Trello before, and everybody knows Calendar apps, here's a bit on Habitica from another comment I made:
I put big honking goals and daily to-do items on Habitica. It's a gamification system for to-do lists. I'm a level 54 Healer right now, and my party and I are about to start a quest to free ourselves of the Dragon's influence. (Recent quests have included overcoming the Tackle Tree and achieving three treeling eggs, and escaping the Cave Creatures, gaining three rock eggs in the process.) Daily to-do items left undone cause damage not only to you, but to your party, as well. So I've gotten a LOT more consistent with drinking enough water, eating at least twice a day, and writing 500 words a day, because I can't justify the risk of killing my questmates because I didn't want to drink, eat, or write enough.
There's also gold, equipment, guilds, and many other means of gamification. Or you can avoid the gamification altogether; there are settings for that.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 2:55 PM on January 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
Since you've probably heard of Trello before, and everybody knows Calendar apps, here's a bit on Habitica from another comment I made:
I put big honking goals and daily to-do items on Habitica. It's a gamification system for to-do lists. I'm a level 54 Healer right now, and my party and I are about to start a quest to free ourselves of the Dragon's influence. (Recent quests have included overcoming the Tackle Tree and achieving three treeling eggs, and escaping the Cave Creatures, gaining three rock eggs in the process.) Daily to-do items left undone cause damage not only to you, but to your party, as well. So I've gotten a LOT more consistent with drinking enough water, eating at least twice a day, and writing 500 words a day, because I can't justify the risk of killing my questmates because I didn't want to drink, eat, or write enough.
There's also gold, equipment, guilds, and many other means of gamification. Or you can avoid the gamification altogether; there are settings for that.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 2:55 PM on January 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
Todoist works great for me for this. Here's me previously describing how I use it for cleaning tasks. You'll probably like that thread in general too.
posted by teremala at 2:58 PM on January 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by teremala at 2:58 PM on January 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
What I've ended up doing is using ColorNote and making two widgets on my phone home screen - one checklist for daily tasks that I uncross every morning, and one text note (less steps to add things quickly than a checklist) for things I need to do today that I can just add tasks to once I think of them and then take off once they're done (so I can see at a glance if I've done everything or not by if it's empty). I also have a third text note pinned to my status bar through the reminder settings for "needs to be done sometime in the future but not yet" things.
So any time I open my phone, I see these right away. I try to put things in more or less the order I want to do them and make sure to include no-brainer stuff like 'wash pot to make dinner; make dinner' as a reminder to budget time for that stuff and keep the steps straight in my mind. But this is helpful to me specifically because my procrastination problem comes from having too much stuff buzzing around in my head and having trouble figuring out the order of operations for things.
posted by gaybobbie at 3:00 PM on January 13, 2019
So any time I open my phone, I see these right away. I try to put things in more or less the order I want to do them and make sure to include no-brainer stuff like 'wash pot to make dinner; make dinner' as a reminder to budget time for that stuff and keep the steps straight in my mind. But this is helpful to me specifically because my procrastination problem comes from having too much stuff buzzing around in my head and having trouble figuring out the order of operations for things.
posted by gaybobbie at 3:00 PM on January 13, 2019
For daily routines I have a paper list that I copy over periodically to keep it neat-looking. For one-time and multi-part items I use my inboxes (one work, one personal) as checklists, archiving the relevant email once the task gets done. For longer-term stuff I keep a duplicate of my google calendar on a plain paper wall calendar, the kind you get free from a local business. I don't mind copying over the tasks because I think it helps me remember.
I hope this is helpful. I only got better at this because of very strong external pressures (med school in my late 30s). In med school they will literally send you to the dean's office for forgetting to fill out a form.
posted by 8603 at 3:18 PM on January 13, 2019
I hope this is helpful. I only got better at this because of very strong external pressures (med school in my late 30s). In med school they will literally send you to the dean's office for forgetting to fill out a form.
posted by 8603 at 3:18 PM on January 13, 2019
Best answer: I'm still in the process of figuring all of this out myself, so I don't have a perfect solution for you, but as someone with ADHD and chronic fatigue: I'm really, really mad that this is true, but they're right about paper.
I would suggest whatever app you end up with, add a small notebook (one with a strap to hold a pencil/pen is a MUST) to your repertoire. I was digital-only for years and it just didn't work, for two reasons: 1) it takes forever to pull out my phone, unlock it, open a notes app, wait for that to load, click on a note or start a new one, type everything in, etc.--either I would forget it by the time I got there, or I just wouldn't even try because it was too much effort and "I'm sure I'll remember" (reader, she didn't). 2) Notifications would come up, and then disappear as soon as I opened my phone and if I got distracted I'd immediately forget about them and never see them again because they were no longer in front of me.
Now I carry a notebook everywhere and as soon as I have a thought of something I need to do or remember I write it down. I also write down everything I do that day, both work and personal things (but this is for helping me journal later). If I start a task, I write it down with a little box to show I'm currently working on it, because it's very easy for me to start something, then have to wait for more than 10 seconds (for a page to load, something to heat up, cat to move off the counter) and I get distracted and start something else. I keep the notebook open next to me at all times so I can see what I'm working on.
In terms of getting stuff done that needs to be done, the night before I create a post-it with the major tasks I want to complete. This may not be a problem for you, but I have multiple tasks that can only happen in certain locations--home vs. school vs. family's house vs. errands. I make different post-its for each location, so that when I'm in X location I can work on those tasks and not get distracted by the stuff I can't currently do. I also use this to track events/where I have to go throughout the day--e.g. I start with the "Home" post-it and put "Errands" underneath it and "Family" underneath that if my plan is to do stuff at home and then go do some errands before I go over to my family's for dinner. I have yet to find a to-do app that works as a daily agenda like this, because the due date for a tasks is rarely the day I want to do it, and if I set the due date as the day I want to do it I end up with a ton of overdue tasks because either I forgot to do the thing, or found out I couldn't without doing x first, or my schedule changed and I wasn't going to be at the right location to do it, etc., and then my "Today" tasks ends up a total disaster. It's super important to me to have my full task list and due dates separate from my daily agenda, which I need to be malleable and disposable because the day never goes as planned. So these post-its go on the opposite page of my notebook--I use a spiral bound one so it can lay open next to me and always be visible. Sometimes when I need an extra kick and I know I'm going to be home all day I stick the post-it on my laptop screen. This means the stuff I need to do that day is always in front of me.
At the end of the day I go through my notebook and throw any tasks I thought of into my to-do list (currently TickTick but I'm not sold on it because I haven't yet conceptualized how to deal with larger projects), the stuff I did into my journal, new events in my calendar, and any other little notes or thoughts in various places (e.g. gift ideas on my gift ideas spreadsheet, writing snippets or drawing ideas in my ideas folder, etc). Then I look at my to-do list and what's uncompleted on my post-its to see what I want to do for tomorrow, cross-reference with my calendar, and create new post-its.
That said, I did this because my schedule is constantly in flux and my plan for the day often needs to change repeatedly, hence why my tasks are organized by where I am rather than given a specific time such as in timeblocking. If your schedule is much more predictable, you may be able to do what I used to do--put all your tasks in TickTick (which has both an Android app and PC website), and the night before, schedule all of your tasks for a specific time the next day, e.g. call the school at 10am, buy birthday card at 10:30am, work on project at 12:30pm, talk to contractor at 3pm, make dinner at 4:30pm, etc. You can set it to give you notification reminders to start working on that task. This didn't really work for me because I never ended up being where I thought I would be when I scheduled the tasks, but it might work for you? I also used TickTick for routines--I had a specific category/folder called "routine" and scheduled my routine tasks the same way, with notifications. Unfortunately I had the same problem where I couldn't do my routine tasks at the same time everyday like expected so that just got annoying. If you do go this route, I would still suggest a notebook for capturing thoughts/tasks--without it I would just quickly throw in tasks and they would get lost because they didn't have the right tag or date or whatever. It still worked better to write tasks down throughout the day, and then put them in at the end of the day with appropriate timing and categorization.
posted by brook horse at 3:45 PM on January 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
I would suggest whatever app you end up with, add a small notebook (one with a strap to hold a pencil/pen is a MUST) to your repertoire. I was digital-only for years and it just didn't work, for two reasons: 1) it takes forever to pull out my phone, unlock it, open a notes app, wait for that to load, click on a note or start a new one, type everything in, etc.--either I would forget it by the time I got there, or I just wouldn't even try because it was too much effort and "I'm sure I'll remember" (reader, she didn't). 2) Notifications would come up, and then disappear as soon as I opened my phone and if I got distracted I'd immediately forget about them and never see them again because they were no longer in front of me.
Now I carry a notebook everywhere and as soon as I have a thought of something I need to do or remember I write it down. I also write down everything I do that day, both work and personal things (but this is for helping me journal later). If I start a task, I write it down with a little box to show I'm currently working on it, because it's very easy for me to start something, then have to wait for more than 10 seconds (for a page to load, something to heat up, cat to move off the counter) and I get distracted and start something else. I keep the notebook open next to me at all times so I can see what I'm working on.
In terms of getting stuff done that needs to be done, the night before I create a post-it with the major tasks I want to complete. This may not be a problem for you, but I have multiple tasks that can only happen in certain locations--home vs. school vs. family's house vs. errands. I make different post-its for each location, so that when I'm in X location I can work on those tasks and not get distracted by the stuff I can't currently do. I also use this to track events/where I have to go throughout the day--e.g. I start with the "Home" post-it and put "Errands" underneath it and "Family" underneath that if my plan is to do stuff at home and then go do some errands before I go over to my family's for dinner. I have yet to find a to-do app that works as a daily agenda like this, because the due date for a tasks is rarely the day I want to do it, and if I set the due date as the day I want to do it I end up with a ton of overdue tasks because either I forgot to do the thing, or found out I couldn't without doing x first, or my schedule changed and I wasn't going to be at the right location to do it, etc., and then my "Today" tasks ends up a total disaster. It's super important to me to have my full task list and due dates separate from my daily agenda, which I need to be malleable and disposable because the day never goes as planned. So these post-its go on the opposite page of my notebook--I use a spiral bound one so it can lay open next to me and always be visible. Sometimes when I need an extra kick and I know I'm going to be home all day I stick the post-it on my laptop screen. This means the stuff I need to do that day is always in front of me.
At the end of the day I go through my notebook and throw any tasks I thought of into my to-do list (currently TickTick but I'm not sold on it because I haven't yet conceptualized how to deal with larger projects), the stuff I did into my journal, new events in my calendar, and any other little notes or thoughts in various places (e.g. gift ideas on my gift ideas spreadsheet, writing snippets or drawing ideas in my ideas folder, etc). Then I look at my to-do list and what's uncompleted on my post-its to see what I want to do for tomorrow, cross-reference with my calendar, and create new post-its.
That said, I did this because my schedule is constantly in flux and my plan for the day often needs to change repeatedly, hence why my tasks are organized by where I am rather than given a specific time such as in timeblocking. If your schedule is much more predictable, you may be able to do what I used to do--put all your tasks in TickTick (which has both an Android app and PC website), and the night before, schedule all of your tasks for a specific time the next day, e.g. call the school at 10am, buy birthday card at 10:30am, work on project at 12:30pm, talk to contractor at 3pm, make dinner at 4:30pm, etc. You can set it to give you notification reminders to start working on that task. This didn't really work for me because I never ended up being where I thought I would be when I scheduled the tasks, but it might work for you? I also used TickTick for routines--I had a specific category/folder called "routine" and scheduled my routine tasks the same way, with notifications. Unfortunately I had the same problem where I couldn't do my routine tasks at the same time everyday like expected so that just got annoying. If you do go this route, I would still suggest a notebook for capturing thoughts/tasks--without it I would just quickly throw in tasks and they would get lost because they didn't have the right tag or date or whatever. It still worked better to write tasks down throughout the day, and then put them in at the end of the day with appropriate timing and categorization.
posted by brook horse at 3:45 PM on January 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
I've never had luck with lists. I write them then don't remember to check them.
I've set aside time every day to think about what is happening that day and that week. I'll write down lists while going over my calender that I don't save, but having a daily 10 minute time to consider what is coming up really helps.
Talk to someone or do workbooks to get behind the reasons why you procrastinate. Starting to sort through mine and it helps too.
posted by Dynex at 4:40 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
I've set aside time every day to think about what is happening that day and that week. I'll write down lists while going over my calender that I don't save, but having a daily 10 minute time to consider what is coming up really helps.
Talk to someone or do workbooks to get behind the reasons why you procrastinate. Starting to sort through mine and it helps too.
posted by Dynex at 4:40 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Hand writing or printing a list is far better than using an app or typing. The act of writing something in a notebook or on a pad of paper improves your memory.
Too often, making a digital note or using some app seems to trick the brain into thinking the actual task has been accomplished.
I use reporter’s notebooks.
posted by Ideefixe at 4:50 PM on January 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
Too often, making a digital note or using some app seems to trick the brain into thinking the actual task has been accomplished.
I use reporter’s notebooks.
posted by Ideefixe at 4:50 PM on January 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
I use Wunderlist; I can view my lists across platforms and it will send push notifications to my phone. I use it for recurring tasks, one-off tasks, shopping lists, and reminders of what I bought people for birthdays, solstice, etc. in past years.
posted by metasarah at 5:01 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by metasarah at 5:01 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
I find that my Echo Dots are incredibly helpful for keeping me on task. I use them to set timers so that I don’t forget to finish things that I’ve started. I also use them to set reminders, which can be done not just same-day but into the future. I have one set to remind me to work on a thing tomorrow morning at work, and another for Thursday evening and Friday to remind me of my haircut appointment. I use them to add things to my shopping lists, which is extremely useful when I’m in the middle of something—I can just tell the Echo to add something to a list without interrupting myself, which is a big fall-off point for me. Then, when I’m shopping, I can check the Alexa app and look at my lists.
For tasks, I have a whiteboard on my fridge and I try to break things down into short, easy tasks. I don’t just put “clean the house”, I write “dust main floor” and “swiff kitchen floor” and “vacuum stairs”. That way, if I wind up stopping before I clean everything (which I usually do), I know where I left off and what needs to be done.
It’s not a perfect system by any means—today, I set a timer to do something and then when it went off, I turned off the timer and then forgot to do the thing for two more hours—but it makes me much more productive than I am when trying to keep it all in my head.
posted by Autumnheart at 6:22 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
For tasks, I have a whiteboard on my fridge and I try to break things down into short, easy tasks. I don’t just put “clean the house”, I write “dust main floor” and “swiff kitchen floor” and “vacuum stairs”. That way, if I wind up stopping before I clean everything (which I usually do), I know where I left off and what needs to be done.
It’s not a perfect system by any means—today, I set a timer to do something and then when it went off, I turned off the timer and then forgot to do the thing for two more hours—but it makes me much more productive than I am when trying to keep it all in my head.
posted by Autumnheart at 6:22 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you were on an iPhone with a Mac laptop, I would say that Omnifocus and Things 3 both perfectly check off your 5 bullet points. Alas neither has Android versions.
I am reluctant to recommend David Allen's "Getting Things Done", which is sort of like the crossfit of productivity, but it is actually good. Whether or not you read the book and use that exact system, any app usable for GTD would need to have the first 3 of your features, and would probably include 4 and 5 as well. It may be a good keyword to search for.
Todoist is one of these, although I haven't personally used it.
posted by vogon_poet at 6:53 PM on January 13, 2019
I am reluctant to recommend David Allen's "Getting Things Done", which is sort of like the crossfit of productivity, but it is actually good. Whether or not you read the book and use that exact system, any app usable for GTD would need to have the first 3 of your features, and would probably include 4 and 5 as well. It may be a good keyword to search for.
Todoist is one of these, although I haven't personally used it.
posted by vogon_poet at 6:53 PM on January 13, 2019
If you use Google Calendar for appointments, use it for reminders as well. Set multiple alarms for each reminder if you don't think one will be enough. For the multi step processes, make a list in Google Keep and set a reminder (in Keep) for the list. Then you can check items off and reset the reminder.
posted by soelo at 7:00 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by soelo at 7:00 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you had an iPhone, I'd suggest "Reminders", which is what I use. It's just To do lists with notification options (time/date or location, once off or repeating) and a check toggle for when it's done. I use it for almost everything, including meal plans, shopping lists, packing lists, reminders put out the bin and to ring my mum. The only thing it can't do is remind me to take things back to people when I see them, so I now keep those sort of things in a crate in my car.
A similar Android app seems to be TickTick, or To Do List.
posted by kjs4 at 8:03 PM on January 13, 2019
A similar Android app seems to be TickTick, or To Do List.
posted by kjs4 at 8:03 PM on January 13, 2019
I've never been able to work any of the task apps into my routine.
I use phone alarms for repeating tasks, especially daily stuff: one for my afternoon pill, my evening pills, a reminder to put my pajamas on, to go to the TV room for SNL at 11:25pm on Saturdays, and anything incidental I think I might lag on in the near future, like getting up to take my car in next Tuesday, which doesn't make as much sense to do as a Calendar event.
Birthdays I put in my calendar with reminders a month, two weeks, and one week in advance. Google Calendar is used for most things that are more than a week away, with notifications 24hrs, 2hrs, and 1hr in advance. Most of my events have a maximum of one hour's travel time, so the 1hr notification serves as a "leave the house soon" alarm for just about everything.
To-do list type items I generally put in Google Keep. I dump random things on card in there, but the killer feature for me is location reminders, so a list of stuff to do pops up when I'm at my Mom's house, and another list pops up when I get home. These are just checklist cards that I continually add to, just with names like "Home" and "Mom's House."
Grocery lists and "I'm leaving the house" lists of errands, tasks, and items to pick up I write on pads and pads of 3"x5" paper. I have lots of these little sheets piled all over the place, but they're not particularly important so I just go through whatever's at hand and copy undone items onto new sheets on the pad.
Project-y stuff I put in Trello, where I have tons of boards. One for each project, a Personal one, a Job-hunt one, etc. I'm just now testing how it's due date reminders work, if at all, so the jury's out on how much I'll wind up depending on it. Sure, I've used it for probably five years by now, but if I can get reminders out of it I'm going to start putting more important stuff in there instead of treating like a brain dump that I check sporadically.
posted by rhizome at 9:39 PM on January 13, 2019
I use phone alarms for repeating tasks, especially daily stuff: one for my afternoon pill, my evening pills, a reminder to put my pajamas on, to go to the TV room for SNL at 11:25pm on Saturdays, and anything incidental I think I might lag on in the near future, like getting up to take my car in next Tuesday, which doesn't make as much sense to do as a Calendar event.
Birthdays I put in my calendar with reminders a month, two weeks, and one week in advance. Google Calendar is used for most things that are more than a week away, with notifications 24hrs, 2hrs, and 1hr in advance. Most of my events have a maximum of one hour's travel time, so the 1hr notification serves as a "leave the house soon" alarm for just about everything.
To-do list type items I generally put in Google Keep. I dump random things on card in there, but the killer feature for me is location reminders, so a list of stuff to do pops up when I'm at my Mom's house, and another list pops up when I get home. These are just checklist cards that I continually add to, just with names like "Home" and "Mom's House."
Grocery lists and "I'm leaving the house" lists of errands, tasks, and items to pick up I write on pads and pads of 3"x5" paper. I have lots of these little sheets piled all over the place, but they're not particularly important so I just go through whatever's at hand and copy undone items onto new sheets on the pad.
Project-y stuff I put in Trello, where I have tons of boards. One for each project, a Personal one, a Job-hunt one, etc. I'm just now testing how it's due date reminders work, if at all, so the jury's out on how much I'll wind up depending on it. Sure, I've used it for probably five years by now, but if I can get reminders out of it I'm going to start putting more important stuff in there instead of treating like a brain dump that I check sporadically.
posted by rhizome at 9:39 PM on January 13, 2019
Best answer: Maybe a schedule? You know when you will be home so block that out for the home chores. Friday is bill paying day. Basically assign a time when to do all this stuff, and put it on a big calendar in a visible place so that you will see it and not have to remember to check it. You can get an enormous scheduling wall calendar or white board that is a few feet long by a couple of feet high.
I'd also start very small with a system like this, possibly beginning by putting general terms on general days "Housework" and then when you actually do something erase the work housework and replace it with "dishes" and "cat pans" and if that successfully productive 'laundry". This way as you look back on your month you will hopefully see things you did to make looking at the list less daunting. I am a big fan of not listing things you must do, but things you could do - if you want to. And then I keep a list of things I did do. So the mindset is that I could do the dishes but if I get inspired to do something else or go to bed early instead I merely prioritized those things instead. But when i do the dishes they get listed on my stuff I accomplished today list and make me proud.
Doing it this way can lessen the anxiety which can make you think more clearly. It emphasizes that positive reinforcement.
You might want to examine why you are not responding to the app reminders you have been sending to yourself. Do they arrive when you are too busy? Can you not motivate yourself to look at the list? Are you forgetting within seconds of the reminder? When you figure out why you are not responding to the app you might be able to find a way to work around it. If you get a reminder to call the contractor while you are in traffic obviously your are not going to call them until you arrive. so reminders that arrive when your hands are full could be dealt with putting your phone into the bag with your journal. If your phone is in the bag it means that there is a reminder app that needs to be looked after. Or you are being sidetracked by other stuff on your phone - you go to look at the list but end up in facebook for three hours - then you need to have a reminder system that can't be hijacked. So you set your phone to vibrate, and when it vibrates you look at a paper journal with the list in it, and can't get sidetracked since there is nothing in the journal but the to do list and supporting data, such as phone numbers or lists of things to dry clean or buy.
Another thing you can do is figure out some really, really nice thing you would love - say some gorgeous cookies from the German baker. And you tie sitting down with cookies from the baker with working on your organization. Every evening you get to sit down with those cookies and update your list. Changing your routine can work. Instead of going home after work, or launchng straight into your errands go to a coffee shop, or the library or a park and sit yourself down to take a few moments to do organization.
Do you feel bad about those lists, or do you just forget them? Is the emotion oh-no-I-have-to turning into oh-no-I-didn't-even? If so the place to start is by turning the project into something that doesn't stress you, rather than hating yourself for not being able to face it. If you are not doing things you loathe doing the problem is not a matter of remembering but of needing a higher ratio of positive things on your list. At this point you really need to figure out how to get some of the stuff you hate doing (like dishes) off your list and adding things you do want to do, so that you only have a one in four chance of getting something you want to avoid.
Whereas if you constantly go, 'Huh, look, three weeks ago I made this list. Wonder what's on it..." you have a different kind of organizational issue.
Phones are often really lousy reminder tools because they are full of other stuff we need to do, or want to do, or have to do. It may be that you get the app notification to call the contractor so you get up to go somewhere to make the call, and before you can make the connection one of your customers has called and your boss sends you a text and the person who you have to stop and tell that you are stepping out takes the opportunity to discuss a mutual responsibility and by then you need to pee so you head to the bathroom and then another text comes in... and then you realise that your contractor is off at three and you have missed a day again and will have to call him tomorrow.
When this is the case you can sometimes do it by committing to calling the contractor at 2 PM no matter what. So you don't take the call from the customer, and you don't look at the text, and you tell your coworker that you are stepping out by sayng "back in five!" from a distance and you make that darn call and carry the phone as it rings and as your contractor says hello, into the quiet location you can talk to them.
Executive stuff is complex. But getting to the root of why you are struggling; finding patterns like: I don't wanna, other people keep stopping me, I have no clue what I was doing, I missed the notification, I already scheduled something else and can't do both, I am too tired - can give you the keys as to why a supposedly simple system has been useless.
posted by Jane the Brown at 9:52 PM on January 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
I'd also start very small with a system like this, possibly beginning by putting general terms on general days "Housework" and then when you actually do something erase the work housework and replace it with "dishes" and "cat pans" and if that successfully productive 'laundry". This way as you look back on your month you will hopefully see things you did to make looking at the list less daunting. I am a big fan of not listing things you must do, but things you could do - if you want to. And then I keep a list of things I did do. So the mindset is that I could do the dishes but if I get inspired to do something else or go to bed early instead I merely prioritized those things instead. But when i do the dishes they get listed on my stuff I accomplished today list and make me proud.
Doing it this way can lessen the anxiety which can make you think more clearly. It emphasizes that positive reinforcement.
You might want to examine why you are not responding to the app reminders you have been sending to yourself. Do they arrive when you are too busy? Can you not motivate yourself to look at the list? Are you forgetting within seconds of the reminder? When you figure out why you are not responding to the app you might be able to find a way to work around it. If you get a reminder to call the contractor while you are in traffic obviously your are not going to call them until you arrive. so reminders that arrive when your hands are full could be dealt with putting your phone into the bag with your journal. If your phone is in the bag it means that there is a reminder app that needs to be looked after. Or you are being sidetracked by other stuff on your phone - you go to look at the list but end up in facebook for three hours - then you need to have a reminder system that can't be hijacked. So you set your phone to vibrate, and when it vibrates you look at a paper journal with the list in it, and can't get sidetracked since there is nothing in the journal but the to do list and supporting data, such as phone numbers or lists of things to dry clean or buy.
Another thing you can do is figure out some really, really nice thing you would love - say some gorgeous cookies from the German baker. And you tie sitting down with cookies from the baker with working on your organization. Every evening you get to sit down with those cookies and update your list. Changing your routine can work. Instead of going home after work, or launchng straight into your errands go to a coffee shop, or the library or a park and sit yourself down to take a few moments to do organization.
Do you feel bad about those lists, or do you just forget them? Is the emotion oh-no-I-have-to turning into oh-no-I-didn't-even? If so the place to start is by turning the project into something that doesn't stress you, rather than hating yourself for not being able to face it. If you are not doing things you loathe doing the problem is not a matter of remembering but of needing a higher ratio of positive things on your list. At this point you really need to figure out how to get some of the stuff you hate doing (like dishes) off your list and adding things you do want to do, so that you only have a one in four chance of getting something you want to avoid.
Whereas if you constantly go, 'Huh, look, three weeks ago I made this list. Wonder what's on it..." you have a different kind of organizational issue.
Phones are often really lousy reminder tools because they are full of other stuff we need to do, or want to do, or have to do. It may be that you get the app notification to call the contractor so you get up to go somewhere to make the call, and before you can make the connection one of your customers has called and your boss sends you a text and the person who you have to stop and tell that you are stepping out takes the opportunity to discuss a mutual responsibility and by then you need to pee so you head to the bathroom and then another text comes in... and then you realise that your contractor is off at three and you have missed a day again and will have to call him tomorrow.
When this is the case you can sometimes do it by committing to calling the contractor at 2 PM no matter what. So you don't take the call from the customer, and you don't look at the text, and you tell your coworker that you are stepping out by sayng "back in five!" from a distance and you make that darn call and carry the phone as it rings and as your contractor says hello, into the quiet location you can talk to them.
Executive stuff is complex. But getting to the root of why you are struggling; finding patterns like: I don't wanna, other people keep stopping me, I have no clue what I was doing, I missed the notification, I already scheduled something else and can't do both, I am too tired - can give you the keys as to why a supposedly simple system has been useless.
posted by Jane the Brown at 9:52 PM on January 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
Oh, and 2nd'ing that Getting Things Done as a good way of thinking about what reminders and to do lists to set up. I read it just before I started using Reminders in an intentional way, and it's helped me understand how to design the notifications I need. I can't comprehend long to do list well, so I've set up lots of small to do lists, most of which have notifications attached and I only look at in order to check off the thing I was notified about.
Gretchen Rubin also has a concept called "Power Hour", which is an hour once a week to get done all the irritating little things that don't have deadlines, but are important. I haven't implemented it yet, but plan to this year.
posted by kjs4 at 10:46 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Gretchen Rubin also has a concept called "Power Hour", which is an hour once a week to get done all the irritating little things that don't have deadlines, but are important. I haven't implemented it yet, but plan to this year.
posted by kjs4 at 10:46 PM on January 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
I myself am a nexus of chaos, and here are some of the things I've found helpful:
One notebook, squared rather than lined. I stumbled across Bullet Journal while it was still a website and before it became a Thing, and it's a pretty good methodology, but it is just a methodology. The one thing I've changed is that I write the index from the back of the book rather than leaving pages at the front, which was always weird to me. Anyway, the habit to get is to always carry it with you, and to be consulting it often - take it out of your bag and look at it. I list things that I'm going to do anyway (like going to work or shopping for dinner), as the things that are unique to the day sort of slot in with them. Also use the book for all your other note-taking needs, not just to do lists.
Make it as nice as you like, be as precious as you want, but don't feel that you have to do more than the minimum. It should basically be your comfortable space. The important thing is to get into the habit of looking at it often - have it open on the table you eat breakfast at if you have control over that space - and writing down everything that you want to make a note of.
Then I use lots of electronic reminders - I just set reminders and events on my Mac/phone/watch's calendar - to actually prompt me to do all those things. But what I remind myself to do comes out of the lists I write in the book.
It's important because in order to be in charge of stuff we do need to take an active position - if we have a device ordering us around we'll be passive to it and end up resenting and resisting it and all the alerts in the world will do no good.
Actually, I also put events into the computer calendar, but I tend not to attach alerts to them - so upcoming gigs, parties, that sort of thing. And I put dental appointments in, which I always book at the previous appointment so months ahead, with a couple of days' worth of alerts to get me used to the fact that I need to factor it in. So the digital calendar has two purposes - long term remembering stuff that's going to happen, and short term reminding me to do things. But the intermediate bit - day to day planning - is better done using the notebook, adding things, ticking things off, crossing them out, notating, whatever.
And start small. Don't try to take control of everything at once - use it to map out your day and the most important things, then add in whatever things you need to. Change the minimum number of things you need to and establish those before extending.
posted by Grangousier at 1:19 AM on January 14, 2019 [3 favorites]
One notebook, squared rather than lined. I stumbled across Bullet Journal while it was still a website and before it became a Thing, and it's a pretty good methodology, but it is just a methodology. The one thing I've changed is that I write the index from the back of the book rather than leaving pages at the front, which was always weird to me. Anyway, the habit to get is to always carry it with you, and to be consulting it often - take it out of your bag and look at it. I list things that I'm going to do anyway (like going to work or shopping for dinner), as the things that are unique to the day sort of slot in with them. Also use the book for all your other note-taking needs, not just to do lists.
Make it as nice as you like, be as precious as you want, but don't feel that you have to do more than the minimum. It should basically be your comfortable space. The important thing is to get into the habit of looking at it often - have it open on the table you eat breakfast at if you have control over that space - and writing down everything that you want to make a note of.
Then I use lots of electronic reminders - I just set reminders and events on my Mac/phone/watch's calendar - to actually prompt me to do all those things. But what I remind myself to do comes out of the lists I write in the book.
It's important because in order to be in charge of stuff we do need to take an active position - if we have a device ordering us around we'll be passive to it and end up resenting and resisting it and all the alerts in the world will do no good.
Actually, I also put events into the computer calendar, but I tend not to attach alerts to them - so upcoming gigs, parties, that sort of thing. And I put dental appointments in, which I always book at the previous appointment so months ahead, with a couple of days' worth of alerts to get me used to the fact that I need to factor it in. So the digital calendar has two purposes - long term remembering stuff that's going to happen, and short term reminding me to do things. But the intermediate bit - day to day planning - is better done using the notebook, adding things, ticking things off, crossing them out, notating, whatever.
And start small. Don't try to take control of everything at once - use it to map out your day and the most important things, then add in whatever things you need to. Change the minimum number of things you need to and establish those before extending.
posted by Grangousier at 1:19 AM on January 14, 2019 [3 favorites]
My first post! I love KanbanFlow and have used it to organise every aspect of my life. I think it does everything that you are looking for except send notifications (the premium version might do this).
I keep different lists for all the main areas of my life - house stuff, pets, different work projects, and then task-lists by urgency (I have: upcoming, to-do soon, to-do today and done). I move things around as they become a priority, and the different lists let me see what is immediate/urgent and what is longer term. The project lists allow me to add things as I come across them - interesting articles to read, ideas for things to do in the future etc. And the done list is a nice reminder that I do actually get things done, even when it doesn't always feel that way.
I've been using this system for years now and though it's taken a while to evolve the most effective approach, it has transformed my organisation. I definitely feel like it has "outsourced" the need to remember lots of different things simultaneously. Though the downside of this is that I now don't remember anything unless it's in my lists.....
posted by surely sorley at 5:17 AM on January 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
I keep different lists for all the main areas of my life - house stuff, pets, different work projects, and then task-lists by urgency (I have: upcoming, to-do soon, to-do today and done). I move things around as they become a priority, and the different lists let me see what is immediate/urgent and what is longer term. The project lists allow me to add things as I come across them - interesting articles to read, ideas for things to do in the future etc. And the done list is a nice reminder that I do actually get things done, even when it doesn't always feel that way.
I've been using this system for years now and though it's taken a while to evolve the most effective approach, it has transformed my organisation. I definitely feel like it has "outsourced" the need to remember lots of different things simultaneously. Though the downside of this is that I now don't remember anything unless it's in my lists.....
posted by surely sorley at 5:17 AM on January 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
I have a system that's super simple and effective: index cards, held together by a binder clip. Having 1 topic/task/reminder per card feels very clean and it is really satisfying to throw out cards as they get done.
At the start of the day, I take the binder clip off and sort the cards by priority, and I may do this a couple times throughout the day to re-prioritize.
I also keep 5-minute tasks on top so whenever I have a bit of "downtime" I can grab an easy card and get it done.
As a bonus, jotting down all the to-do's swirling around in your head is wonderful for reducing anxiety.
I recommend these cards, they are thicker and less soft than your average cheapo index cards.
posted by rada at 6:59 AM on January 14, 2019
At the start of the day, I take the binder clip off and sort the cards by priority, and I may do this a couple times throughout the day to re-prioritize.
I also keep 5-minute tasks on top so whenever I have a bit of "downtime" I can grab an easy card and get it done.
As a bonus, jotting down all the to-do's swirling around in your head is wonderful for reducing anxiety.
I recommend these cards, they are thicker and less soft than your average cheapo index cards.
posted by rada at 6:59 AM on January 14, 2019
Response by poster: Well, I'm getting started with Habitica and a blank notebook (spiral bound so I can keep pens in it) and a bullet journal sort of system.
Ugh. Paper.
I mean, two days in, it's working though.
Thank you all.
posted by Adridne at 11:19 AM on January 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
Ugh. Paper.
I mean, two days in, it's working though.
Thank you all.
posted by Adridne at 11:19 AM on January 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
1) Track daily things (do the dishes, take my medications, etc)
You don't want an app for this; you want to rig it so you don't need one.
Put the medications someplace you will always see them. Back of the toilet, next to the bathroom sink, next to the alarm clock, whatever.
For the dishes, do them when you put them in the sink; don't let them stack up, but do the thirty seconds of work when it comes up because it's not enough work to put off until later. (This is half the philosophy of the book Getting Things Done.)
2) Track single task items (Buy a birthday gift, call the school, etc)
Google Calendar. It then has Android notifications built in, and it's good for multi-year recurring events (mom's birthday) and for one-off things (buy soap).
3) Track things that are multi-part, but don't repeat exactly (completing parts of a work project, talking to contractor as project evolves over time, etc)
Put the next thing you have to do for each chain of tasks into Google Calendar. (This is the other half of Getting Things Done.)
4) It should send notifications to my phone.
5) If I can set things up via my laptop, and then use it on my phone also, that's ideal.
Yup. You get these for free. It's a Calendar, and not some fancy app, but it's a Calendar that notifies you, and that you can check easily from any device. That's it.
Anything fancier doesn't seem to hold up, for anyone, in the longer run.
posted by talldean at 6:03 PM on January 16, 2019
You don't want an app for this; you want to rig it so you don't need one.
Put the medications someplace you will always see them. Back of the toilet, next to the bathroom sink, next to the alarm clock, whatever.
For the dishes, do them when you put them in the sink; don't let them stack up, but do the thirty seconds of work when it comes up because it's not enough work to put off until later. (This is half the philosophy of the book Getting Things Done.)
2) Track single task items (Buy a birthday gift, call the school, etc)
Google Calendar. It then has Android notifications built in, and it's good for multi-year recurring events (mom's birthday) and for one-off things (buy soap).
3) Track things that are multi-part, but don't repeat exactly (completing parts of a work project, talking to contractor as project evolves over time, etc)
Put the next thing you have to do for each chain of tasks into Google Calendar. (This is the other half of Getting Things Done.)
4) It should send notifications to my phone.
5) If I can set things up via my laptop, and then use it on my phone also, that's ideal.
Yup. You get these for free. It's a Calendar, and not some fancy app, but it's a Calendar that notifies you, and that you can check easily from any device. That's it.
Anything fancier doesn't seem to hold up, for anyone, in the longer run.
posted by talldean at 6:03 PM on January 16, 2019
I've had better success with Planner Pad than just about anything else. Not perfect since the missing piece is interacting with it, but actually surprisingly good for me.
It's a planner that smartly incorporates to-do lists and scheduling. I first got it before I was diagnosed with ADHD, because I had seen reviews that it was well suited for people with ADHD, and I figured that if it could work for them, it should definitely work for me. What do you know, then is I! And it is helpful. I get the personal size soft cover to make it more portable and added the tabs, place keeper, and stick on pockets. I love it.
On my phone I use Google calendar with reminders, the timer app for midday meds (I can remember morning and before bed, but not midday).
That said, I downloaded Habitica ages ago but never set it up, and it sounds interesting!
posted by Salamandrous at 10:51 AM on January 27, 2019
It's a planner that smartly incorporates to-do lists and scheduling. I first got it before I was diagnosed with ADHD, because I had seen reviews that it was well suited for people with ADHD, and I figured that if it could work for them, it should definitely work for me. What do you know, then is I! And it is helpful. I get the personal size soft cover to make it more portable and added the tabs, place keeper, and stick on pockets. I love it.
On my phone I use Google calendar with reminders, the timer app for midday meds (I can remember morning and before bed, but not midday).
That said, I downloaded Habitica ages ago but never set it up, and it sounds interesting!
posted by Salamandrous at 10:51 AM on January 27, 2019
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posted by Little Dawn at 2:05 PM on January 13, 2019