One of my biggest problems is gravitating to too many projects. I have far too many ideas that I save and ponder from time to time but fail to take direct action on. Whether it’s one of the many I’ve started as part of this blog or something new that caught my interest, I struggle to sit down with a just one idea at a time. What the Getting Things Done approach has helped with recently is offering a system that keeps projects in an objective orbit of the actual tasks to work on at a given time while also saving ideas of interest for a later date.
Back on Track
A couple of months ago, my automation project was off to a good start, but I knew there were improvements to be made. I long had a vague list of ideas to complete. It was only this week that I had the push to order the items to implement these improvements. Adding a sensor and some smart plugs to the mix has opened more options for technical automation.
The upgrades were tied to already automated items. Specifically, I’ve set up a more sophisticated light automation based the multi-sensor. The light turns on when the sensor detects low light, less that 5% luminescence, and motion after 7 AM. No need to trigger lights while I’m sleeping. Then, after 8 minutes of no motion or at 11:30 PM, the light turns off. I have methods for manually switching the light on and off when needed. The plugs were more of a minor improvement, upgrading my candle warmer from an old fashioned timer switch.
I still have an unused plug and a variety of options on the sensor that I’ve yet to tap into.
Moving away from hardware, an area I’m still improving is the knowledge capture system. A solid system to capture and organize items of interest is one of the main elements of the PARA system and second brain. As of now, most of what I interact with requires a lot of manual entry.
I have ways to save links, posts, and books, but not so much my highlights, notes, and takeaways. I have some ideas to explore. So for now, I’ll be placing this task into GTD and coming back when the time is right.
Another area of organization that’s long been causing me grief is the cable management of my desk. As a place I spend significant time, it’s unpleasant to have to look at a sprawling mess of cords and wires. In the process of ordering items for automation, I’ve also purchased a lot of desk organization accessories.
Now, my cables are tucked away neatly under the desk. This is after adding even more to the mix including a set of speakers and another monitor.
Ideas in Orbit
No matter how much I get done, there always seems to be more to do on the horizon. I seem to have collected a variety of hobbies and interests that exist in perpetual movement forward. Even those with a tangible deadline, like a game jam release or written DnD adventure, open the door to begin the next one.
In the past, I’ve mostly managed projects by picking a rough estimate date and hoping I maintain efforts to complete them in time. While some things strive in this time pressure environment, most of the creative tasks I work on need some time to breathe.
I think this is where the GTD style of task management helps considerably. By having a list of the current objective tasks I need for a given project easily accessible, I can focus on execution when I need to and keep creative thinking churning.
If I know I have to finish writing a blog post or complete a game level at the end of the week, brainstorming can happen in tandem with actual tasks I can work on right now. This allows momentum to build while not getting stuck on distractions that eventually need to be addressed with more information or a specific tool in hand.
GTD also helps keep the odds and ends that don’t seem urgent right now. It took me nearly a year to finally find and schedule a dentist appointment, even though I had it on my white board for months. I think it has something to do with how I use my whiteboard and how I use GTD.
My whiteboard is primarily used for quick notes that I need jot down for a brief moment or visualize. It’s been hit or miss for actually managing tasks. The GTD system I use in Notion, however, has so far been consistent in getting items off my to do list for good.
Trying Out Before Buying In 