I use a highly modified bullet journal method to keep track of in-flight work items and specific items that I need to take care of. This is an evolution for my own purposes and has a lot of idiosyncrasies that come from how my brain works and I collect and track information. (see – How should I Bullet Journal?)
Currently I have a simple ‘key’ for items – each page is a dot grid so I can connect items as well as block out sections as appropriate. Indexing is rather more difficult in this method, but I’m considering a weekly check-in / check-out to help prevent things from getting lost.
Task Identifiers-
An dot in a grid square indicates an open work task
A circle around the dot is a completed item or sub-task
An ‘X’ through the circle/dot means that task is canceled or otherwise not happening
Method-
Sunday Evening/Monday Morning (usually Monday mornings):
- Review last week and week to come
- Move forward any in-flight items to current week and add week tab to journal pages
Week/Work Days:
- Morning (no more than 15min)
- Write/highlight schedule
- Notes on upcoming meetings – items to comment, top of mind subjects (refer to previous notes or online docs if applicable
- ToDos – checkbox
- Afternoon/Evening (no more than 15min)
- Move items forward to the next day if not completed
- Prep for tomorrow (identify friction, areas to improve, possible conflicts)
- Set up schedule (if time allows)
