Comments on: Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/ Rebooting the workforce Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:32:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Patrick Allmond http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-150764 Patrick Allmond Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:55:40 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-150764 Boy I am a day late and dollar short. The only thing I'd suggest is a change in terminology. Problems will tend to put a negative spin on things for you and those you work with. Instead try using the words "challenge" or "issue". It will still apply to software and most other subjects as well. It may seem trivial but the actual words you use will affect your attitude when working with the item. Patrick Boy I am a day late and dollar short.

The only thing I’d suggest is a change in terminology. Problems will tend to put a negative spin on things for you and those you work with. Instead try using the words “challenge” or “issue”. It will still apply to software and most other subjects as well. It may seem trivial but the actual words you use will affect your attitude when working with the item.

Patrick

]]> By: My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » Problems or actions, it's still a list [What's the next action] http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-140932 My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » Problems or actions, it's still a list [What's the next action] Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:04:15 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-140932 [...] Daily published an interesting article. A programmer decided he would not list his next actions but his problems. While reading the [...] [...] Daily published an interesting article. A programmer decided he would not list his next actions but his problems. While reading the [...]

]]> By: Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-119736 Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:03:02 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-119736 [...] at Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions «, the question is asked, “can this be applied to more than just [...] [...] at Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions «, the question is asked, “can this be applied to more than just [...]

]]> By: Padraig O'Morain http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-84266 Padraig O'Morain Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:47:02 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-84266 A value I can see to this approach is that I think I sometimes put off doing next actions because at some level I'm hung up about the problem it's meant to solve. By making the problems explicit I might be able to stop fooling myself. I'll try this and let you know how I get on! A value I can see to this approach is that I think I sometimes put off doing next actions because at some level I’m hung up about the problem it’s meant to solve. By making the problems explicit I might be able to stop fooling myself. I’ll try this and let you know how I get on!

]]> By: Matthew Cornell http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-62834 Matthew Cornell Mon, 14 May 2007 12:26:39 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-62834 Nice article. I've been thinking about how lean programming techniques merge with GTD, and the idea of early vs. late decisions is interesting. On the one hand, deciding action when things show up is a very deep central concept in GTD. On the other hand, putting off excessive project planning is also there... Regarding problems, you've probably heard that "every problem should be a project" - see <a href="http://ideamatt.blogspot.com/2006/02/why-every-problem-should-be-gtd.html" rel="nofollow">Why every problem should be a GTD project</a>. Nice article. I’ve been thinking about how lean programming techniques merge with GTD, and the idea of early vs. late decisions is interesting. On the one hand, deciding action when things show up is a very deep central concept in GTD. On the other hand, putting off excessive project planning is also there…

Regarding problems, you’ve probably heard that “every problem should be a project” – see Why every problem should be a GTD project.

]]> By: Productivity links for May 8th http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-59007 Productivity links for May 8th Wed, 09 May 2007 00:30:32 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-59007 [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions ... - “Postponing decisions on what action to take allows you to optimize the action at the time you do it.” [...] [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions … – “Postponing decisions on what action to take allows you to optimize the action at the time you do it.” [...]

]]> By: links for 2007-05-08 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-58505 links for 2007-05-08 Tue, 08 May 2007 07:20:41 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-58505 [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions « “Postponing decisions on what action to take allows you to optimize the action at the time you do it.” (tags: GTD lifehacks organization productivity self-improvement) [...] [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Tip of the Week: Try Listing Problems Instead of Next Actions « “Postponing decisions on what action to take allows you to optimize the action at the time you do it.” (tags: GTD lifehacks organization productivity self-improvement) [...]

]]> By: Paul Veltman http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54796 Paul Veltman Tue, 01 May 2007 21:40:05 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54796 I like the idea of keeping a list of problems, but would not throw away the 'Next Actions' list yet. The 'Next Actions' are a list of thought-through actions designed to solve problems. All the thinking has been done, and the widgets just need to be cranked. To replace this with a list of problems which still need to be solved or thought about seems to undo the usefulness of this approach, and might be better described as 'Getting Things Thunk About' rather than ' Getting Things Done'. One is geared towards Action, the other geared towards Purpose and Direction. These need to be kept distinct, and as previous commentators have said, the Weekly Review of the 'Projects' list already provides room for this thinking and processing. PV I like the idea of keeping a list of problems, but would not throw away the ‘Next Actions’ list yet.

The ‘Next Actions’ are a list of thought-through actions designed to solve problems. All the thinking has been done, and the widgets just need to be cranked.

To replace this with a list of problems which still need to be solved or thought about seems to undo the usefulness of this approach, and might be better described as ‘Getting Things Thunk About’ rather than ‘ Getting Things Done’.

One is geared towards Action, the other geared towards Purpose and Direction.

These need to be kept distinct, and as previous commentators have said, the Weekly Review of the ‘Projects’ list already provides room for this thinking and processing.

PV

]]> By: raincoaster http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54479 raincoaster Tue, 01 May 2007 09:44:36 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54479 Actually, it's a damn useful perspective shift, moving from "next action" to "next issue to face." I teach personal growth courses to people in crisis, and circumstances change for them so quickly that sometimes the identified next action is impossible or inappropriate by the time it's supposed to happen. Hey, for grocery lists for those on a tight budget, it makes no sense to write "go to store" but it makes plenty of sense to write "need breakfast cereal, entrees, milk for a week..." then buy what's on sale instead of specifics you stuck on there days ago. This is the kind of flexibility that the shift can provide. Actually, it’s a damn useful perspective shift, moving from “next action” to “next issue to face.” I teach personal growth courses to people in crisis, and circumstances change for them so quickly that sometimes the identified next action is impossible or inappropriate by the time it’s supposed to happen.

Hey, for grocery lists for those on a tight budget, it makes no sense to write “go to store” but it makes plenty of sense to write “need breakfast cereal, entrees, milk for a week…” then buy what’s on sale instead of specifics you stuck on there days ago. This is the kind of flexibility that the shift can provide.

]]> By: Richard http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54318 Richard Tue, 01 May 2007 04:07:53 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54318 As a programmer myself, I kinda combine the methods. Initially, I'll tag an action with "bug" or "feature" in my list, and then when it's closer to being worked on I'll change it to an action, if I have a specific solution in mind. Also, those bugs etc really don't need contexts...I'm fairly sure I know where I'll be when I do them ;) As a programmer myself, I kinda combine the methods. Initially, I’ll tag an action with “bug” or “feature” in my list, and then when it’s closer to being worked on I’ll change it to an action, if I have a specific solution in mind.

Also, those bugs etc really don’t need contexts…I’m fairly sure I know where I’ll be when I do them ;)

]]> By: Kevin Rutherford http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54129 Kevin Rutherford Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:14:41 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54129 I too use GTD for managing my projects and next actions. I didn't think to make the connection in my article, because I was really talking about something different. The lists I grow during a programming episode (which typically last 30-120 minutes) are simply "don't forgets": reminders to myself to leave the workspace clean and tidy before I leave. I sometimes do the same when I'm working on my company accounts. These are micro-actions, and they only exist because I have a poor memory and a butterfly brain. The overall goal of the episode is indeed likely to have been a Next Action on some project; my "don't forget" list is a serendipitious breakdown of that Next Action, grown as necessary. I too use GTD for managing my projects and next actions. I didn’t think to make the connection in my article, because I was really talking about something different. The lists I grow during a programming episode (which typically last 30-120 minutes) are simply “don’t forgets”: reminders to myself to leave the workspace clean and tidy before I leave. I sometimes do the same when I’m working on my company accounts. These are micro-actions, and they only exist because I have a poor memory and a butterfly brain. The overall goal of the episode is indeed likely to have been a Next Action on some project; my “don’t forget” list is a serendipitious breakdown of that Next Action, grown as necessary.

]]> By: Anne Zelenka http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54123 Anne Zelenka Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:58:01 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54123 That's a good point, David -- the next action can be brainstorming a solution. Doesn't have to be merely stated as a problem. That’s a good point, David — the next action can be brainstorming a solution. Doesn’t have to be merely stated as a problem.

]]> By: David Hollingworth http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54119 David Hollingworth Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:50:44 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54119 For me simply restating that I have an issue that needs to be addressed will do nothing to get me forwards in implementing a solution. I do agree with the idea of leaving some space between identifying that an issue exists and deciding on a solution. It give the sub (un) conscious time to mull over the problem and come up with innovative solutions that might be quashed if I think I've identified the solution and written it into my to do list. In this cast my Next Action is to brain storm and record possible solutions. The too can be reviewed at a later date (the next Next Action) before implementing the best. For me simply restating that I have an issue that needs to be addressed will do nothing to get me forwards in implementing a solution.

I do agree with the idea of leaving some space between identifying that an issue exists and deciding on a solution. It give the sub (un) conscious time to mull over the problem and come up with innovative solutions that might be quashed if I think I’ve identified the solution and written it into my to do list.

In this cast my Next Action is to brain storm and record possible solutions. The too can be reviewed at a later date (the next Next Action) before implementing the best.

]]> By: Roni http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54072 Roni Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:19:19 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54072 So it's a specialized list... and lists are what GTD is about after all... So it’s a specialized list… and lists are what GTD is about after all…

]]> By: aeschright http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54068 aeschright Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:12:14 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54068 Calling each one a project would be excessive in the case of many programming todos. I'm guessing the items are more like "No one can find the help page for our site". You could add "put link to help page in navigation bar" to your list, but maybe something else in the site layout will change before you get that far and the task won't be relevant. So it could be more effective to write down the problem to fix, and then find an appropriate solution when you have time to work on the issue. Calling each one a project would be excessive in the case of many programming todos. I’m guessing the items are more like “No one can find the help page for our site”. You could add “put link to help page in navigation bar” to your list, but maybe something else in the site layout will change before you get that far and the task won’t be relevant. So it could be more effective to write down the problem to fix, and then find an appropriate solution when you have time to work on the issue.

]]> By: Roni http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54049 Roni Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:37:25 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/30/tip-of-the-week-try-listing-problems-instead-of-next-actions/#comment-54049 I suppose David Allen would call these problems "Projects" which need to be reviewed weekly. I suppose David Allen would call these problems “Projects” which need to be reviewed weekly.

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