Comments on: Why are your lists repelling you?

By: Arif Vakil

Arif Vakil — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:28:45 +0000

Kelly are you from LA? I hear they’re all psychic there. Brilliant post. Thanks!

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:06:04 +0000

I’ve been discovered! Shame on me.

I’ve sensed this problem for a long time, but it wasn’t until Kelly wrote it out so succinctly that now I can put a finger on it…and then turn that finger around and point it back to me.

I think mine repel me because I think they are so long and I get tired just looking at them. No, not tired. I feel hopeless. I get an emotional reaction to the overall length of the list. Hmm, now I’ve got something to think about…

By: Daniel Williams

Daniel Williams — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:29:28 +0000

Was just thinking the other day – I was glad that my inbox is zero – but was wonderding when I would do the @action and @review items. like a monster in the closet –

By: marvin

marvin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:00:01 +0000

My biggest list repellent is a feeling of overwhelm. It’s something I’m working on learning to deal with. GTD has certainly helped get me started. Thanks!

By: Mark Jantzen

Mark Jantzen — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:41:54 +0000

And it seems the attraction factor is a combination of not only what’s on those lists but the chosen medium or tool.

They both have to be in sync with our own styles and situations.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:31:37 +0000

OUCH!!! I was thinking today about how I’m spending way too much time on email and other distractions. Also, I couldn’t figure out why I’m not getting anything done and “resisting the list”. I’ve got it nailed down though…I don’t want to do anything that’s on my list, none of it is enjoyable right now. I need to just put down the distractions, hammer through these things and move on to a point where I can start delegating stuff again!

I think I’ll go back to only opening my “Today” list in Things FIRST, before anything else and not checking email until the afternoon…worked before!

By: Abe Crystal

Abe Crystal — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:50:14 +0000

This is a deep topic that needs more attention. I’ve heard similar statements from other DavidCo folks and the general advice helps… but we really need more specific guidance on how to deal with the challenge of lists that repel instead of attract (and why emails is more attractive than lists!). Can you go into more depth… or maybe do an interview or two with people having trouble with their lists and illustrate some specific solutions? Any further guidance in this area would be deeply appreciated.

By: Nik

Nik — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:17:33 +0000

Was just thinking about this today when I looked at a work list and then closed it and went home…. shame on me

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:38:21 +0000

Nailed it! People complain about email volume, but they secretly love tons of email because it keeps them from having to face their lists.

By: DCB

DCB — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:31:01 +0000

Thanks for the reminder, Kelly. So easy to get caught up in email and ignore the work already waiting on my lists!