similar advice from Marc Andreessen: <a href="http://pmarca-archive.posterous.com/the-pmarca-guide-to-personal-productivity" rel="nofollow">http://pmarca-archive.posterous.com/the-pmarca-guide-to-pers...</a>
I've been using a similar system for awhile now. The offline approach is extremely effective, however, I find it even more effective when combined with ideas from The Pomodoro Technique.<p>I have the same type of weekly planner (the author calls it a To-do planner) and a sticky note on my desk for the day that lists 3 to-do items. I draw a series of squares beneath each item.<p>The Pomodoro Technique simply recommends focusing on a single for 25 minutes, followed by a 5 minute break. The squares I draw below my to-do items represent the number of 25 minute intervals I anticipate the task to take. I cross them off each time my timer rings. If I underestimate the intervals of a task, I add a circle for each unexpected interval. This allows me to see patterns in my planning and works as a mechanic to finish things as scheduled.<p>Once the day is over, I remove the sticky note from my desk and "archive" it by re-sticking it on that day in my planner.
The two main reasons why I prefer to stick with an online tool:<p>I don't have to carry an extra notepad+pen with me.
I can easily copy and paste long urls and click on them<p>When I am not in front of the computer, I use my iphone to write down ideas and tasks and I update my online tool when I am back on the computer.<p>For those who want to stick to paper and stay minimalist: <a href="http://www.pocketmod.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.pocketmod.com/</a><p>For those who want an online weekly planner: <a href="http://weekplan.net" rel="nofollow">http://weekplan.net</a> (my own tool based on the 7 habits)
I like the idea of writing three things down on a post-it note before you go to your computer. If you don't open up your laptop with a few goals in mind first, you're fucked.
tl;dr have a to-do list and always carry a pen or pencil.<p>(Pen seems better since there's less chance of putting holes in clothing or stabbing oneself.)<p>Not that I would recommend it. If I'm truly into my work then I'll have sufficient integrity and memory to operate intuitively, from a rapidly evolving <i>mental</i> to-do list.<p>If I want to achieve, better would be to have a <i>to-don't</i> list. It might include things like don't drink too much, eat too much, consume too much entertainment, porn, etc. This is what focus means: to gently <i>exclude</i> stuff.<p>That way vitality and creativity will flow into my work. Any other approach is implicitly enacting the theory that work/learning is painful. Which is false. Nobody is taking my cookies away; I'm switching to a different flavour. (They say a Zen master can see and feel the beauty in everything. That must include creative work.)<p>It seems to me that alcoholics, the obese, etc, have a certain thing in common with brilliant, creative achievers -- they know that the fun has to be <i>here and now</i>. We say to addicts who promise to quit soon that "tomorrow never comes". Why don't we say it to people who show us lists of goals? In reality the concepts of procrastination, time management, memory management, rewards, rule-based living, etc, aren't very helpful.
I just bought the Focuslist program referenced in the blog as I thought it was a good idea and since my OmniFocus list is choked. Just a warning though, the Focuslist program requires Adobe Air to run. That is a major drag and for my part I'm with Steve Jobs w/r to anything flash and I do not want to install that just to run a window with 3 checkboxes.