# Getting sh-t done. Simple time management ![[gsd-back.jpg]] This is the simple English article. You can also read the [[getting sh-t done|full English article]] or [[gsd en español|en Espanol]]. ## How GSD started For many years, I tried to use technology and apps to manage my life. But they made things feel harder, not easier. I wanted something simpler and more flexible. One day I bought a paper notebook and started using it to manage my tasks. It worked. I call this method "Getting Sh-t Done," or GSD. ## Why it works GSD works because it does three simple things: 1. You write by hand, which helps you slow down and think. 2. You break big things into small tasks you can actually do. 3. You keep your tasks in one place so they do not get lost. ## How it works All you need is paper and a pen or pencil. ### Step 1: Make a list for today ![[gsd-key.jpg]] At the start of the day, do not touch your laptop or phone. Open your notebook to the next empty page and write the date at the top. Then write down the tasks you can remember. Do not worry about order yet. Put a small square next to each one. Make sure each task is small enough that you can really do it. Not "fix dishwasher," but "check dishwasher filter" or "run cleaning cycle." Then go back to older pages and look for unfinished tasks. For each one, draw a diagonal line through the box and copy it onto today's page. The goal is for every old task to show one clear result: - a check mark means it is done - a diagonal line means you moved it forward - an X means you decided not to do it ### Step 2: Do your tasks Look at today's list. Pick the 3 or 4 most important tasks and put little dots in their boxes. Do those tasks first. When you finish them, pick the next 3 or 4. If a new task shows up, add it to the list. Then keep working unless the new task is truly urgent. ### Step 3: Keep a Backlog List Some tasks are not for today. Maybe you cannot start them yet. Maybe they are bigger projects. Put those on a separate Backlog List. Look at your Backlog List every few days. When you are ready, move items from the backlog onto your Daily List. ## That's it One place for your tasks. A simple way to manage them. No complicated apps, systems, or setup. Now stop reading and go do stuff. ## Extra thoughts ### 1. When you are stuck ![[gsd-timeladder.png|A vertical timeline, with tasks connected to various times|800]] If you have too many important tasks at once, make a simple time plan for the day. Write the current time, then write the next few hours below it. Put tasks next to the times when you think you will do them. It does not need to be perfect. It only needs to help you get moving. ### 2. Calendar ![[gsd-calendar.png|A traditional calendar, hand-written in a notebook]] You can keep your main calendar somewhere else. But it can also help to put a small calendar in the front of your notebook for big upcoming events. ### 3. Carrying things forward Some people use Post-It notes for short lists, like urgent tasks or things to do this week. Then they can move the Post-It from one page to the next instead of rewriting the whole list. ### 4. Handwriting You do not need beautiful handwriting for GSD. You just need to be able to read it. If your writing feels messy, try slowing down a little. That can help both your handwriting and your thinking. ### 5. Paper A simple notebook is enough. You do not need anything fancy. Smaller notebooks can be nice because you can carry them with you all the time. ### 6. Pen Almost any pen or pencil will work if it is reliable. Use whatever starts easily and writes clearly. ### 7. Indexing ![[gsd-back.jpg|Paper notebook on a desk|800]] If your notebook gets thick, you can make a simple index. Write project names at the front. Then make small marks on the edges of pages that belong to each project. This makes it easier to find related pages later. ## More information This is the simple version of GSD. For the full article, read [[getting sh-t done]]. ∎