Beta testing a new app
Ok, I need to preface this post with something. Recently, I started writing down my power list on a daily basis. If you’re not familiar with the power list, here it is in a nutshell. (Btw, I cannot take credit for this concept. I heard about it from Andy Frisella).
Basically the power list is simply this: a set of critical tasks that you complete everyday that will push you forward in life. For instance, if you’re trying to get in shape, then working out is probably going to be an item you want on your power list. Frisella talks about five items each day. If you complete these tasks, you won the day. Win enough days in and you win the week, month, year, etc.
What I have recently done is this. I sat down and listed a handful of goals that I would like to accomplish within five years. I then broke those down to smaller goals for 2025. For example, one of my goals is that in five years I want to be under a certain weight on the scale. Well, in order for that to happen, I need to make progress in 2025. That means I’ve created a similar, but smaller, goal for this year.
Everyday, I take out a Field Notes book and I look at my goals I want to accomplish. Then I write down three to five tasks that will push me towards those goals. It may be eating less carbs today. Maybe it’s working out or reading in a book. Whatever is written down has to align with my goals. It’s all about pushing the needle forward and getting better every single day. Some days I win. Some days I lose (some days I’m born to sing the blues…sorry. A little music humor there).
That brings me to the point of this post (it’s named meanderings for a reason…I go on and on and on…sorry same song humor). Recently I was sent a link to a new app that is in beta. When I saw the app and what it does, I was immediately excited. The app is developed by Semantical. The app is called Today. The tagline is “Plan. Do. Repeat.”
I immediately signed up to join the beta and so far I really like this app. It’s simple and sleek. The premise is that you enter a list of reminders that need to be done today. You go through your day and get stuff done. As you do, you check them as done on your list. Any reminders that are left unchecked at midnight, automatically get moved to the review list. The next day, you start with a clean slate. You can add new reminders for the day or pick from your review list.
Obviously I love the concept because it reminds me of the setup I’m using in Field Notes. This works with the way my brain functions. There are times that we need to be reminded of something at a specific time. But, for the most part, this isn’t the case. We need to go to the store. We need to make a phone call. We need to pay a bill. Perhaps those need to be done at a specific time, but most of the time they just need to be done at some point in time on a specific date. Doesn’t matter when we go to the store and get milk as long as it gets done today.
So, how have I started using this with my workflow? I’m glad you asked. I have a running list in Reminders of things that need to be done. They need to be done at some point in time but not necessarily time specific.
As a side note, I started using alarms for reminders that have to be done at a specific time. I find that I don’t ignore them as easily.
Back to the question at hand. What I started doing is this. In the morning, I take some of those reminders or something else that I know has to get done today. I put that in Today. Now, I have an action of things I need to do. This is separate from my Power List. Those items are things that need to be done to push me towards a goal (Diet, workout, write, etc). Those items will remain in Field Notes. The app is for todo’s that need to be done today (clean the gutters, go buy milk, pay the credit card bill, etc).
What this does is two fold. First it keeps the same type setup for both parts of my life. The goals I’m trying to accomplish and the daily tasks I need to do at work and/or at home. Second, it keeps them both separate so they don’t mingle and make things messy. Field notes allows me to also document progress towards the goals throughout the day. Or perhaps write down new ideas and plan out projects. The app, allows me to just focus on getting things done.
I know that not everyone’s brain is wired like mine, so this app may not work for everyone. But, I would recommend trying it out and seeing what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the app and on the process I’m using it for.