Now Do This, and The Single- Tasking Philosophy
There’s a new online to-do app that’s come out called Now Do This: — I know, there are already a million of them, but I love this one for its simplicity and philosophy that’s so similar to mine.
It’s an incredibly simple program: The site has a white page with a single task written on it (you can change it to your own tasks). Below the task is a button that says “Done”. Finish the task, click the Done button, and the next task on your list appears. When you’re done with your list, a refreshing “all done!” message appears.
Simple and beautiful. And productive.
I thought I’d take just a minute to look at the single-tasking philosophy behind Now Do This: that is also, coincidentally, behind Zen Habits, because I think it’s a useful discussion around the idea of simple productivity
The guy behind Now Do This came up with idea while eating breakfast, and his story reminds me of myself when I had a similar single-tasking revelation a few years ago. From the Now Do This blog:
This morning, I was eating breakfast at Egg and planning out my day. I made a list of what I had to do. Neither to-do lists nor calendars work for me, so usually my day is a disorganized mess, and I don’t get important stuff done.
The idea instantly popped in my head: one task at a time. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, because this problem has been bugging me for months, if not years!
Some of the things I love about this deceptively simple tool:
1. One task at a time. I’ve talked about this concept many times before, especially in my Zen To Done ebook. Multi-tasking leads to a lot of switching and distractions and stress. Keep things simple, focused and effective by single-tasking. Focus on one task until it’s done, then move to the next.
2. Just a few tasks. While you could theoretically load the program with a huge list of tasks, it lends itself best to just a few tasks. It’s not a complete task-management and project-management system. I actually keep my longer list of tasks in another program, but each day I pick just three tasks to do that day, and right now I’m entering those three tasks in Now Do This. Just pick a few important tasks, and focus on those.
3. Uncluttered, with no distractions. I love Now Do This for its white space and simplicity. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles to play with. There’s a link to edit the list, a done button, and that’s it. You can’t fool around with the program as a distraction from the task you’re supposed to be doing. Less distractions equals more focus and productivity.
4. Do the list until you’re done. The whole goal of Now Do This is to get to the end of the list, when you get the very satisfying “all done!” message. That’s the reward — the satisfaction of knowing you’ve finished. And if you keep the list short, it’s very possible. That’s a nice goal that you can actually achieve each day.
5. Don’t carry around the paper all the time. At the end of his introductory post on Now Do This, the creator of the program (I don’t know his name) talked about a guy he’d heard about who carried his tasks on a little piece of paper in his left hand, and didn’t put it away until the list was finished. As the Now Do This creator said, it’s a great way to get things done, “because nobody wants to hold a piece of paper all day.” Amen to that.
Of course, you don’t need to have a website to accomplish this single-tasking simple productivity. You could carry around a little sheet of paper, or an index card, or a Moleskine notebook (always my favorite). The tool you use isn’t as important as how you use it.
However, the lesson to take away from this is simple:
Keep a very short to-do list, do one thing at a time, until the list is finished. That’s all the productivity advice you need!
- Posted on 24 July 2008 in Productivity & Organization, Simplicity |
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Comments (60)
Adam Sicinski @ Study Matrix Art Says:
July 24th, 2008, 21:18 pm
Thanks for the find Leo.
It’s a wonderful concept. Sometimes we get so absorbed in utilizing fancy task management software, that it actually ends up sabotaging our levels of productivity. This tool is ideal and definitely fits the scope of the ZenHabits philosophy.
I’ll give it a go for a few days and see what happens :)
pavs Says:
July 24th, 2008, 21:22 pm
This is a lot better than other to do lists programs; which was meant to make your life easier but ends up being a distraction because of all it’s many options and customizations. Simplicity at it’s best. When you want to get something done, You just get it done, don’t worry about highlighting it with different colors, adding tags, numbering them, putting dates next to them. Do we really need all this? Thanks for the tool. This works perfectly for me, and I wish I would have thought of this before.
I also want to add that, Leo, I really appreciate you updating your blog more often. I was kind of disappointed in the last couple of months, when you had infrequent updates and too many guest posts. But I understand that you had your personal and professional commitments (writing book, getting married, honeymoon). So I am glad that your are updating more often. Even though I appreciate guest posts, I rather read your posts more often. I read some 60+ blogs in my feed reader, you are one of the few blogs I look forward to reading.
Cheers.
Jarrod - Warrior Development Says:
July 24th, 2008, 21:24 pm
Wow this is an, umm, interesting little app.
It is so simple I don’t know what to say. Wether I will use it is another question, I would have need see wether fitting it into the rest of my routine works better or not.
Thanks for the heads up!
Vered Says:
July 24th, 2008, 22:10 pm
“Keep a very short to-do list”.
I absolutely agree. I handle my to-do list manually, which works for me, but if the list is too long, I get discouraged just looking at it. So I’ve learned to keep it short.
Also: if I find that I keep transferring an item from one day to the next, I take a hard look at it and try to determine whether I should just take it off the list. Often, a repeatedly ignored item doesn’t belong in my to-do list at all.
banji - Lesson In Life Says:
July 24th, 2008, 22:14 pm
I will apply that one idea… Hold my to do list paper until all my task is done. Thanks for the idea and the app
Once I had trouble remembering things. I forget that I am boiling water (using stove) and almost had an explosive accident. I however come up with a solution of raising my hand to remind me of the boiling water. Works like a charm :)
Elliot Wilson Says:
July 24th, 2008, 22:18 pm
“I actually keep my longer list of tasks in another program…” What’s the other program that you use?
Rose Garden Says:
July 24th, 2008, 22:28 pm
The only things I don’t seem to get done are those on my short list…. (at work, anyway)
For personal tasks/errands, seeing a long list lets me group together important things with other minor things for efficiency (similar location, etc.) and I get many things done while getting the important things done.
But I like my free time a good bit. I’m told - too much.
Sara at On Simplicity Says:
July 24th, 2008, 22:39 pm
This is awesome. Just as consumer scientists and happiness researchers tell us, having fewer choices often leave us more satisfied. I’m pretty sure I’ll be happier completing my tasks if I’m not choosing from dozens (or even a handful) of items.
Leo Says:
July 24th, 2008, 22:58 pm
@Elliot Wilson: What program do I use for my to-do list? I usually use a text file (TextEdit), but recently I’ve been trying a nifty little Mac program called Do It (http://www.jimmcgowan.net/Site/DoIt.html) … it’s very simple, but you can break things into categories (or projects or contexts or whatever).
@pavs: Thanks for the feedback. But just to warn you, I still plan to run guest posts regularly — once or twice a week — while still posting my own articles as much as I can.
Corey - Simple Marriage Project Says:
July 24th, 2008, 23:02 pm
Thanks for the tip Leo. I’ve been using Write Room for all my writing project. Blank screen, flashing cursor. Very simple.
Laurel Vogel at Ninth Elegy Says:
July 24th, 2008, 23:03 pm
I saw on TED talks about how having too many choices overwhelms us and makes us feel unhappy. This seems like a workable solution for that. My to-do lists are WAY too long, and I dread looking at them. Thanks again Leo!
Laurel Vogel at Ninth Elegy Says:
July 24th, 2008, 23:06 pm
And Leo, thanks for mentioning Mac programs (above)! I feel so left out sometimes… :)
Writer Dad Says:
July 24th, 2008, 23:08 pm
There’s a really great, tiny, little app for Mac called, Task Paper. It’s just a clean sheet of white paper, and every time you press return, you get to enter a new task. As you complete them, you click on the adjacent bullet point and a neat pencil scratches through the entry. I make my list each evening for the next day. Then, wen the sun goes down the following evening, I get to smile at all my scratches.
Israel Says:
July 24th, 2008, 23:23 pm
This idea has been the cornerstone of my getting things for years. Many people have always told me to get a blackbery or a palmpilot to make notes, etc.
I always refused and said nope, I have a post it. So I would write down my to-dos on a post it and get them done. Simple.
I called it my real man’s palm pilot.
Leo Says:
July 24th, 2008, 23:30 pm
@Writer Dad: Yep, I’ve tried and enjoyed Task Paper. For some reason I like Do It better, but it’s really just a matter of preference.
@Corey: Yes! I love WriteRoom (Dark Room for the PC). The less distractions, the better you’ll write.
@Laurel: While I used PCs for many years, I’m always a Mac fan at heart.
Peg Says:
July 25th, 2008, 0:35 am
I laughed out loud when I opened it.
So simple. I love it.
I’m famous for my lists it’s keeping track of them that is a problem. I alway’s have a post it on the steering wheel while doing errands. My kid’s think I’m crazy.
Ramesh | The Geek Stuff Says:
July 25th, 2008, 0:48 am
I still have a long way to go in getting to single tasking, as I always end up multi-tasking for several reasons at work.
I pick 2-3 tasks from my different GTD @context lists and write them on an index card before I begin the day and try to accomplish them before the end of the day.
Ann at One Bag Nation Says:
July 25th, 2008, 0:58 am
I use index cards too. I’ve just (this week) started to list three tasks each for work and home, and I’ve made the commitment not to move on to anything else until those three things are done.
This is all part of my quest for more order in my life - physical and mental - which is the subject of my blog. I’m infamous for making long, complicated lists and then never even looking at them, never mind doing what’s on them!
Joanna Says:
July 25th, 2008, 1:11 am
The simple life
Thanks Leo. Your life philosophy greatly affects my life.
I hope you possible become a full-time blog writer because you is always providing us with so many encouraging articles. we are with you !
Scott McIntyre Says:
July 25th, 2008, 1:14 am
This looks to be a very effective tool, Leo.
Up until now, my “To Do List” system has been paper-based. It’s served me well.
I think, however, I’ll experiment with a software-based program to see if it streamlines my personal organization even more.
Which is always a good thing!
Baher Says:
July 25th, 2008, 2:57 am
Next (http://movetonext.com/) is a similar app we built in 2 days. And it was built with the Zen philosophy in mind (limitations and mindfulness)
It offers:
1 task at a time
140 characters per task
20 tasks maximum
Drag and drop to change order/priority
Ryan McLean Says:
July 25th, 2008, 5:35 am
This is an amazing idea. As soon as I get my new laptop I am going to get this program and use it. It is an amazing idea and will help me stay on track for my financial blog. I think the key with this is breaking down big things into very small ‘to do’ parts. That way as you get each done you feel a sense of accomplishment
Thomas Says:
July 25th, 2008, 6:26 am
Great find there Leo.
For those who are looking into something a bit more complex, but still way simpler then most of the to-do software around, I recommend http://www.todoist.com It’s a great online tool and let’s you handle everything very easily.
Keep up the great work on the blog!
Thomas
Mary Says:
July 25th, 2008, 7:30 am
Leo,
I love single-tasking. For years, I thought multi-tasking made me more productive, but it only made me stressed and frustrated. :-) Now, I write down no more than 5 tasks to complete in a day and work through them one by one.
Leaving the legal field (where it was “drop everything and do this” all day long) has been a great help, too.
Baher,
That sounds like a great way to keep from making a task overly complicated. You have to boil each item down to its essence.
Pete Says:
July 25th, 2008, 8:23 am
I don’t think anything is quite as satisfying as finishing a task list. It means you have accomplished all of your goals, and can finally sit back and relax.
Without a list, many people never realize if they actually finish everything they were supposed to. It amazes me how the simplest little things, like taking the time to formulate a task list, actually helps make your day shorter.
If we all realized that life is more about preparation then the end result, think of where we would be!
Lisa | Holistic Treatment for Depression Says:
July 25th, 2008, 9:11 am
Keeping a short to-do list keeps my life focused and balanced and gives me time to do the important stuff: enjoying my kids!
Thanks, Leo!
PersonalBudgetTraining Says:
July 25th, 2008, 9:13 am
This could be called the Forrest Gump tasking. The beauty of the movie was that he focused on one thing and did not let anything distract him. Ok, so it was a movie, but I’ve met people could block out personal problem to work and solve complex problems.
If people could focus and complete a budget before every payday so every dollar has a place to go, you would be debt free.
Brandon Watkins Says:
July 25th, 2008, 9:41 am
Interestingly, I wrote about single-tasking in the business world on my blog yesterday.
“The 40% Productivity Loss: Wasting Time and Energy in the New Economy”:
http://simplesustainability.blogspot.com/2008/07/40-productivity-loss-wasting-time-and.html
I’m a huge proponent of single-tasking, though I fail at doing so regularly!
Zendad Says:
July 25th, 2008, 10:07 am
Nice find Leo, I like now do this. The only flaw I see is it doesn’t have a login. So unfortunately you can’t use it from multiple computers (ie: work, home). I love the simplicity though!
Zendad
http://www.zendad.net
Vishnu Says:
July 25th, 2008, 10:13 am
Thanks for the post Leo. Loved it. Often when we are doing a task, our thoughts are about the next task on hand. This is a great way to be in the present moment.
My algorithm:
1. Prepare task list
2. Forget about the task list
3. Concentrate on the task on hand
Forgetting about the task list in an important step in my opinion to stay focused and in the now.
What you will gain:
1. Increased productivity
2. 100% focus and involvement with the current task
What you will lose:
1. Anxiety over future tasks
2. Being overwhelmed by a huge task list
Vishnu Says:
July 25th, 2008, 10:15 am
Also, the “all done” reminds me of wii fit :)
kav122 Says:
July 25th, 2008, 11:12 am
Not to change the subject, but I know you like him:
Randy Pausch died this morning. Here is a link to the msnbc story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25848017/
I knew you quoted him and I was really moved by his story.
Jonathan B. Says:
July 25th, 2008, 11:30 am
This is a neat little program but I’m going to stick with my traditional to-do list.
zencoffee Says:
July 25th, 2008, 12:50 pm
Hi Leo,
Single-tasking is such a simple thing that accomplishes amazing results. Being a writer, I suffer from (enjoy?) procrastination from time to time. While it would seem that only doing one thing at a time wouldn’t yield results, it’s much more powerful than trying to do too many things at once and ending up not getting anything done at all. Being mindfully in the moment is a beautiful thing.
I blogged about this, and linked to your blog post today, at http://pathtopublishing.blogspot.com/2008/07/procrastination-is-pits.html
Gloria
Eric Says:
July 25th, 2008, 14:02 pm
To-do lists are a tricky thing. Sometimes, we cram too much onto our lists and run the risk of setting ourselves up for failure (I’m guilty of this more than anything). Other times we skip around from one item to the other for the sake of variety (OK, I guess I’m guilty of this, too).
The “Now Do This” tool sounds like a great way to focus on completing one task at a time, consequently simplifying your day. I’m worried about using it, though, because I might still fall into the trap of overloading the list with unnecessarily complex tasks. It’s definitely something I should try, though, and I thank you for recommending it!
Mike Says:
July 25th, 2008, 15:28 pm
I love this. Very ZEN :-)
I’m finding it a discipline to FOCUS just on the NEXT thing on my list without getting DISTRACTED!
Quite tough.
~Mike.
Cubicle Hacker Says:
July 25th, 2008, 15:53 pm
I have a technique that I love. I use my outlook or any other online calendar.
1. I opened an appointment some time ago.
2. I added things I needed to do and categorized them into projects. If I could not assign a project to it, it won’t be in my list.
3. Cut the list down to the three most important ones. In my case I decided this by looking at the tasks that will help me accomplish a project faster.
4. If I didn’t get to it that day I will drag the appointment to the next day.
5. Dragging it through out a week reminds me that I’m procrastinating.
http://www.cubiclehacks.com
Carm Says:
July 25th, 2008, 15:57 pm
Thanks for pointing us to this great little app. I picked it up from your Tumblr yesterday.
The guy who wrote it is Jakob Lodwick. And then enhanced for speed by William Cotton. The names are on the About screen linked from the Edit List page.
Ben Says:
July 25th, 2008, 18:16 pm
Wow, this kind of task management is much harder than I would have thought. Just three or four important tasks can take all day to accomplish. Keeping a short list really keeps the urgent from interfering with the important.
Fit Bottomed Girls Says:
July 25th, 2008, 18:32 pm
This is a fantastic idea because obviously multitasking isn’t any helping anyone to be truely more productive. I know for me, it just makes me scattered and I have about a million half-finished project and few completed projects!
Leo Says:
July 25th, 2008, 19:09 pm
Thanks for the feedback, guys!
@Carm: Thanks for the info … checking the “about” page … I wonder why I didn’t do that? :)
DanGTD Says:
July 26th, 2008, 9:39 am
Very simple indeed.
It even works if you close and re-open your browser, it’s probably based on cookies.
It seems great for a work-day at office.
Twenty20 Says:
July 26th, 2008, 15:26 pm
nice one, i’ll definitely going to take it for a test drive.
I also recently attended a time management workshop and the things that stood out for me were the same: keep it simple, keep it short, keep it in focus and do only one thing at a time.
I almost got bogged down by complicate dsystems and stuff before and regressed back to notepad.
mark_hayward Says:
July 26th, 2008, 17:52 pm
Leo - that website is perfect for a single minded linear thinker [like me]! Thanks for pointing it out…
Stu | Improved Lives Says:
July 27th, 2008, 0:05 am
What a great little tool, I just wish I’d thought of it first ;)
Thanks Leo.
Joanna Says:
July 27th, 2008, 10:47 am
great tool, thanks for mentioning it. It’s not that easy,though, to get rid of the multitasking habit and of all the distractions. I still need more discipline :)
Jennifer Lyall Says:
July 27th, 2008, 12:52 pm
I always feel so good when I get a big task done…. but I often get distracted with other things. I know I have the most productive days when I write down my to do list… sometimes I just make them too long.
I need to be more reasonable in what I can accomplish in a day and take a moment to savour each “check mark’ when a task is completed.
You’re right…keep it simple!
seo freelancer Says:
July 28th, 2008, 3:50 am
As always - simple things hard to be achieved, as they looks simple. Difficult problems often look amazingly simple, but their implementation is really hard.
52 Faces Says:
July 28th, 2008, 16:45 pm
I am attempting to use this for a week (in place of my tried-and-true pen and paper method).
Thanks for the intro to this; you and your blog rock and here’s a shout-out from my site to add to your trackback list:
Alex Fayle Says:
July 29th, 2008, 1:49 am
My favourite to-do system is Remember The Milk. I’m the sort of person who forgets to eat lunch when I’m working unless I make a note of it, so Remember the Milk does a great job reminding me of what I’m supposed to do when. The best part of it is the repetition option, allowing me to make sure oddly reoccurring events pop up when they are supposed to.
Miss Gisele B | myBeautyMatch.com Says:
July 29th, 2008, 6:50 am
Thanks for the wonderful concept. By far this is the best to-do lists programs I have seen.
becky Says:
July 29th, 2008, 22:30 pm
i’m working on a very intense political campaign (80 hrs a week, 7 days a week) and i have to meet certain quotas of phone calls every day, along with various tasks like organizing canvasses and whatnot.. it was driving me nuts until i read this post and started using that program.. now whenever my mind starts to wander or i unconsciously start surfing the internet, i see that window “make 175 calls” or “call 40 volunteers to thank them” and it jolts me back to reality. i’ve finally been meeting my quotas. thanks a lot!
upchuckie_cheezits Says:
July 30th, 2008, 14:43 pm
1. Take a Piece of Paper
2. Make a List of Things to Do
3. Do Them One at a Time, in Order. Until Done.
4. Profit.
Unnecessary:
Computer or PDA or whatever
An App
Zen or any other philosophy.
Sometimes simplicity is in keeping things simple.
Have trouble with lists of tasks? Deal!
Amy Says:
July 30th, 2008, 20:14 pm
Leo,
Thanks for the rec — I have lists everywhere and the seem to overwhelm me. I’ve been using the app since you posted it and already I’m benefiting greatly!!
Thank you so much for what you do,
Amy
Brennan Says:
August 1st, 2008, 14:06 pm
I’m still using Remember The Milk to keep all of my lists, projects and to-do items — but I now take the things that need to be done and throw them into NowDoThis. Excellent!
Francis Wade Says:
August 1st, 2008, 19:09 pm
I think this is a useful tool for creating the kind of single focus needed to get a single item done.
However, I believe that there are few professionals who can focus effectively on a single item without thinking of 50 others at the same time — there is no way of shutting off the thoughts — not even when meditating.
Professionals need a way of managing the items that come into mind, and allow them to maintain peace of mind, and it’s not the regular todo list, which turns into a permanent or long-term storage area for time demands.
When that happens, stuff gets lost on the list.
The traditional to-do list needs to be separated into different tools to be effective.
andar909 Says:
August 10th, 2008, 20:29 pm
hi, andar here, i just read your post. i like very much. agree to you, sir.
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- Life Clerks » Jump-Start Your Workspace: Small Changes That Improve Focus and Shorten Your Work Day
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