Comments on: Why Lack of Clarity Matters More Than Lack of Time http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/08/04/why-lack-of-clarity-matters-more-than-lack-of-time/ Thinking beyond productivity Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:54:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andre http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/08/04/why-lack-of-clarity-matters-more-than-lack-of-time/#comment-972 Andre Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:15:40 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=310#comment-972 @Vered: Thanks for the Stumble @Francis: The word "for" followed by an action's outcome is a good way to keep track of the link between outcome and action. I find that a little but of this goes a long way, and try to keep linking phrases to a minimum. I like dumbed-down list of naked actions, since I've already thought of why I'm doing the action, and generally don't need to revisit that thinking between weekly reviews. Interesting perspective on allocating time -- i.e. distinguishing between actual and imagined time. I find that my estimate of how long something is usually naive, so I'd rather just start working, and keep working until I finish. In cases where I don't finish in one sitting, I at least have some experiential data to gauge how much longer the activity is going to take. @Vered: Thanks for the Stumble
@Francis: The word “for” followed by an action’s outcome is a good way to keep track of the link between outcome and action. I find that a little but of this goes a long way, and try to keep linking phrases to a minimum. I like dumbed-down list of naked actions, since I’ve already thought of why I’m doing the action, and generally don’t need to revisit that thinking between weekly reviews.
Interesting perspective on allocating time — i.e. distinguishing between actual and imagined time. I find that my estimate of how long something is usually naive, so I’d rather just start working, and keep working until I finish. In cases where I don’t finish in one sitting, I at least have some experiential data to gauge how much longer the activity is going to take.

]]> By: Francis Wade http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/08/04/why-lack-of-clarity-matters-more-than-lack-of-time/#comment-971 Francis Wade Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:01:24 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=310#comment-971 Oh this is so true. Sometimes I happen upon an item in my calendar that only describes the thing to do and I can't remember why I am even interested in doing it. In Outlook, there is actually enough program flexibility to include the Outcome of the action in either the body of the Action, or in the line describing the action itself. I have changed "organized bills" to "organized bills for peace of mind" for example and it's helped me to get going when the time comes. Having the outcome present definitely helps. I do something different with Action Lists myself -- I schedule the item directly into my calendar, which helps to clarify the next step for some reason. I think that this has something to do with having to set the start and end time -- the action becomes clear when actual time is involved (as you say) rather than imagined time. Oh this is so true.

Sometimes I happen upon an item in my calendar that only describes the thing to do and I can’t remember why I am even interested in doing it.

In Outlook, there is actually enough program flexibility to include the Outcome of the action in either the body of the Action, or in the line describing the action itself.

I have changed “organized bills” to “organized bills for peace of mind” for example and it’s helped me to get going when the time comes.

Having the outcome present definitely helps.

I do something different with Action Lists myself — I schedule the item directly into my calendar, which helps to clarify the next step for some reason.

I think that this has something to do with having to set the start and end time — the action becomes clear when actual time is involved (as you say) rather than imagined time.

]]> By: Vered http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/08/04/why-lack-of-clarity-matters-more-than-lack-of-time/#comment-967 Vered Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:56:28 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=310#comment-967 "By clarifying what needs to be done, you’re also clarifying what doesn’t need to be done. By clarifying whether or not an action needs to be done by or at a certain time, you don’t walk around with the neurotic sense that everything needs to be done now." Brilliant. Stumbled! “By clarifying what needs to be done, you’re also clarifying what doesn’t need to be done. By clarifying whether or not an action needs to be done by or at a certain time, you don’t walk around with the neurotic sense that everything needs to be done now.”

Brilliant. Stumbled!

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