New method to choose a task

[aaresca]

I am experiment a new method and I'd like to share it with the readers of this forum.

I naturally tend to procrastinate, keep things on my lists and make them longer and longer.
When I look to a LONG list (60+ elements) I feel demotivated and I find hard to choose a task to do.

In the last days I have been trying using a random number generator (http://www.random.org/):
1 - I put the total number of tasks in the generator and obtain a number "x"
2 - I choose the task number "x" in my list (which is ordered alphabetically)
3 - I choose between: Doing the task, Move the task to Someday/Maybe list, Delete the task
4 - After step 3, I go again to step 1.

This forces me to reduce the number of tasks on my list and relieves me the stress to choose.
I don't use it everytime, but when I am at a lower state of energy, it helps me.

Has anyone ever used a similar method?
What do you think of it?

[bishblaize]

wow, thats...unique. Far be it from me as a fellow geek to rule out any opportunity to use a random number gen, but Im not sure its for me.

[SteGTD]

Thats a very interesting way of deciding when in "mental paralysis". I too often have this feeling with close to 200 actions available.

I have never used this system however, I find the best way to make those moments easier is to have certain projects and actions pre-defined in a context folder for when you know you will lack energy. and once you complete a few of these you will feel less "stressed" have more energy which allows you to get rid of alot more actions...

hope that helps

SteGTD

[ellobogrande]

When my internal decision engine is offline, I choose a context list and tag actions that would require less than 10 minutes to do, then I start knocking off those actions from top to bottom without any consideration of priority or importance. It's all work and it all has to get done sometime. It gives me some quick wins and builds up momentum.

[QuailGirl]

For tasks that have no specific scheduling needs, and for jobs that I really am not motivated to do, I use an Ipad App called Job Jar. Its fun, you shake a jar full of your tasks and it randomly picks one. I make myself finish that task to eliminate it from my Job Jar.

[Duckienz]

I use a die, either a real 6 sided one or a virtual one on my iPod touch. Works for me, but that does mean that I need to narrow my choices down. What I do is put a small percentage of 'nice' things on the list so that I know it is not all chores. That helps motivate me too. Might have to have a play with your system and see though.

[TesTeq]

In the last days I have been trying using a random number generator (http://www.random.org/):
1 - I put the total number of tasks in the generator and obtain a number "x"
2 - I choose the task number "x" in my list (which is ordered alphabetically)
3 - I choose between: Doing the task, Move the task to Someday/Maybe list, Delete the task
4 - After step 3, I go again to step 1.

I would use a dice. I like simple solutions.

[kelstarrising]

I appreciate the creativity of these, but what about your intuition (gut, butt, heart)? Are you trusting that as well? That's the true decision maker, according to GTD.

[aaresca]

I appreciate the creativity of these, but what about your intuition (gut, butt, heart)? Are you trusting that as well? That's the true decision maker, according to GTD.

Thanks Kelly, thanks everybody for commenting on this "strange" method...

I am not using this method frequently. Actually I think I have used it no more than 3 or 4 times in the last two weeks and only for my longest lists (@Pc expecially).
I periodically have time of solitude and reflection where I review my areas of focus, my overall goals for the year, my "life plan" and this helps me choosing INTUITIVELY which tasks accomplish every day.

Just when I am low-energy and want to "force" myself to remove unimportant things on my lists... I use this method, who temporarly relieves me the stress of choosing.
I realize it is connected with my personal attitudes and character, so it can be absolutely useless for many other people.

[TesTeq]

I appreciate the creativity of these, but what about your intuition (gut, butt, heart)? Are you trusting that as well? That's the true decision maker, according to GTD.

And we are returning to the CSF (GTD Critical Success Factor) again.

Weekly Review done weekly is a tool that builds the intuition used to choose Next Actions.