The Super Simple Autofocus To-Do List

Ive been using pen and paper for most of my organization and to-do listsfor the past six months.

I came across an analog system recently thats almost too simple, yet quite clever in some ways.

This post originally appeared onExist.io.

One List

Autofocus uses just one running list of tasks.

You could use something likeTaskPaperfor this, but its designed for pen and paper.

The list works as a brain dump initially.

Just write down everything it’s possible for you to think of that it’s crucial that you do.

If you use more than one page in your notebook, thats okay.

Just keep the list going.

When its time to work, you rely on your built-in feelings and reason.

Then, read through the tasks again, one at a time, until one jumps out at you.

This is your autofocus at work.

So youve chosen a task.

You get to work on it.

Until, eventually, you finish the task, cross it out, and dont rewrite it.

If there are no pages with incomplete tasksbeforethat page, put a circle around the X.

As I mentioned, Autofocus has some limits.

Its not useful for time-sensitive tasks or managing deadlines.

Im trying Autofocus right now, combined with a couple of other approaches.

I use aMidori Travelers Notebook with several notebook inserts.

A couple of these are where I track deadlines and my daily task lists.

I have a separate insert of blank grid paper where I keep my Autofocus list.

For my Autofocus list, I number each task I add.

Ive also numbered all the pages in this notebook insert.

So 12.17 would be task number 17 on page 12.

Shes the co-founder of Melbourne startup Hello Code, an iOS developer, and a writer.

Image byVenomous Vector(Shutterstock).