Task Management Workflow
Recently I have been rethinking my workflow as it relates to task management. As an HR Manager, I have a TON of tasks that repeat - from daily to dos to long term and annual deadlines - and it got me thinking about the possibility of incorporating a hybrid approach that combines some digital tools along with my Filofax to (hopefully) achieve a "best of both worlds" situation.
Of course I could never give up paper planning! My Filofax is my emotional support animal and I honestly can't imagine a purely digital life, but for those tasks that occur over and over, I also don't necessary want the redundancy of re-writing them constantly.
Digital tools are perfect for scheduling, recurring reminders, and syncing across devices. They shine when flexibility and real-time updates are needed. But when it comes to focus, memory, and daily intention, nothing beats writing things down in a paper planner. Handwriting helps you commit tasks to memory, disconnect from distractions, and think more clearly.
 |
| The advantages of handwriting are proven, something all Philofaxers know! |
I am going to try using a reminder app for macro-level logistics, task deadlines, and long-term project management. However, each morning I will still (and always) consult my Filofax for planning my day.
With all those repeating tasks safely tucked away in Reminders so I don't have to worry about missing them, my daily workflow will be to write down my top 3 priorities in the morning, add non-recurring tasks that need attention to my planner as they come up, and reflect on my day as I go. My paper planner has always been my daily anchor, but I'm also going to try to make use of digital tools to keep the big picture in check.
How do you maximize your task workflow? What do you do with repeating tasks? Do you use any digital tools along with writing your tasks down by hand or do you prefer to solely use your planner? As always feel free to discuss anything related to ring planners and have a great Friday!
I have a lot of tasks that have to be repeated every week. I made and printed a checklist, where all the tasks are listed going down, and the week nrs are horizontally. Then I color in the little corresponding box once the task is done for that week. It also feels very satisfying to see all the boxes filled in. This one I keep next to the weekly calender in my work filofax. I also have monthly and annual checklists; they all live in a separate checklist section, and I flip to those every week to see if there is anything I should be adding to my weekly to do list.
ReplyDeleteMy issue with hybrid is the risk one system gets lost and no source of all planning data issues. So repeated and regular tasks work well with outlook or similar alerts and recurrence setting. But if not in the paper you could schedule something at that point. Rust of my fear with a hybrid. Although I do have one as work uses outlook company wide. I repeat it on my filofax.
ReplyDeleteIf only Filofax could create a filofax syncing app or allow linking to a good digital schedule app. Hmm!
I have a daily/weekly task tracker in my planner. It helps me see what I've been avoiding all week.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any problem with adding recurring tasks to my Filofax. To my mind, they form the structure of the week ahead. They also hold me accountable in a way that I find digital reminders fail to do. I love that we are all different in how we approach our planning.
ReplyDelete