I did implement the technique of circles instead of checkboxes (they’re now checkcircles ). That was a micro efficiency (boxes take a little longer to draw).

I check the circle when done.
I cross the circle when I’m not going to do the task anymore (happens sometimes).
I use the arrow, when the task is deferred to another time.

When I review my lists in my moleskine in the morning, I use an orange highlighter to ‘cross out’ the tasks that are done. The benefit of doing that is, that you get to check your finished tasks twice (very gratifying), you can still read what the task was and it makes the unfinished tasks stand out better. Those are the white lines between all the colored ones

Works like a charm. Too bad I can’t remember or find the site I read about this, he deserves the credit.

I’ve read a post about Moleskins that talked about them as if I should already know what they are… is this only for cool people? am I missing something here?
Christine

@ James: thanks for the heads up, I was never more excited more than right now in anticipation of being kicked in the butt.

@ Christine: that’s exactly what I’m afraid of most e.g. keeping the action. All though I found a similar system that works for me right now pretty well with circles/ticks,crosses and arrows and my trusted Moleskine.

My biggest issues is getting sidetracked and trying to do too many things at once and then getting nothing done!

… especially in kicking your own butt at the times you went off course!

@Christine – I agree, DOing is the hard part. But without that part it’s all a mirage. And “Lode” is perfectly fine

The daily sheets are great so far. Up until now I’ve been switching between doing the work I planned and doing work I did not plan. But it’s giving me a lot of information about my day. I’m going to include a picture with the sheets of this week in my upcoming weekly review post. Should be interesting

Lode (I’m jumping on the bandwagon and going with the short version ) – CLARITY is definitely something I’m being challenged on right now. I suddenly had a stream of new ideas and need to pin them down into actionable goals.

I’m with you – I really need to get back to planning my days. I used to be great at it and I had this great little whiteboard with checkboxes that kept me on track. But then I thought I could handle it without the whiteboard… I think that’s where I went wrong. In fact… I’m going to dig that out right NOW.

Thanks for the linkage!

Thanks for the link and gee I’m thirsty – a bit early for a beer I guess.

Like you I’m also struggling with these issues and I actually booked Dave’s special consultation (I read the book too and liked what I saw but need a kick up the bum). So for $50 for two kicks one cannot grumble.

Working with daily sheets has always been the very thing I struggle with most. It works for a day or two or even a week and then zoom – gone. Now sure what you call that but it’s driving me nuts.

Joseph
http://www.ExploreLifeBLog.com
http://www.Peace-Together.com

I appreciate the linky goodness!