DWM - Mark Forster has been at it again

Those of you who have visited my blog before will know how I have been using the various evolutions of Autofocus by Mark Forster for managing my tasks in recent times. They have all worked quite well for me, although each variation has had its strengths and weaknesses. None of them have been completely perfect, but they did seem to be a better overall fit for me compared to categorised lists in Outlook and my Blackberry, such as those proposed by David Allen's GTD system.

I'm sure much of the benefit for me has been the revelation of using a pen and paper/analogue solution rather than a digital one, but the various combinations of open and closed lists and the way your subconcious works when reviewing the lists to select the next task is also a major plus for me.

Mark's latest Autofocus variant is known as DWM, for the Day/Week/Month time management system. I won't go into too much detail on how the system works here, or introduce the concept of Autofocus in the first place. Mark's web site has all the information you might need if you are interested. I will point out that like Autofocus, DWM uses combinations of open and closed lists to manage your tasls, but there are some key differences.

The previous Autofocus systems did not have time or dates, they were timeless lists of tasks, and appointments were maintained separately. DWM still works on keeping your appointments on a separate calendar, but it does use a day to a page diary or its equivalent for the lists of tasks, and if tasks are not at least progressed when their date expires, they are dismissed/removed from the list, no exceptions. This makes a huge difference in that as the date a task is listed on gets closer, it's amazing how you will suddenly feel compelled to progress a task at least a little so it doesn't get dismissed, or fall over the edge and get lost forever. Brilliant motivation. Even tasks that seem stale, or those you simply don't want but unfortunately need to do suddenly jump out as something that must be progressed before they are lost, even if only for a few minutes. The fact that even working on a task for only a few minutes saves it, but only for one more week, also prevents you from forgetting about it again for too long. It really is incredible just what a difference this makes with procrastinating over unpleasant tasks.

Another key difference is that Mark has released the system without testing it thoroughly himself this time. In the past, he has told followers of his blog that he has a new system but will test it for a few weeks first before giving the details. You can imagine how some of these productivity junkies keep coming back every day checking to see if the details are posted. For DWM, the basic procedure has been provided early in the piece, and those who wish to try it out at their own risk can, almost like a beta release. I was going to wait, but decided to give it a go, because I know in Autofocus some of my tasks do tend to stagnate, although not so much in the last version.

My early impressions are very favourable. I think this is the best Autofocus variant yet, but it is early days. I'm about to start hitting some task due dates, so that could be interesting, although so far I am generaly finding myself keeping ahead by at least a few days. The other big test will be when I head overseas again for a 3 week business trip in March. I will need to ensure that any home task I have listed are progressed sufficiently so they can wait until I get back, or are closed off so they don't expire while I am away. My time away on business trips have always tended to knock my to do lists around, or allow tasks to stagnate.

Hopefully this time will be different, but I will let you know in late March...

If you think you could do with revisiting your own task management system, check out Mark's blog and his systems, there just might be something that works well for you there too!

In the meantime, I hope you have a productive day!

Later.

Are your affairs in order?

I've been a little swamped of late with lots of things happening on all fronts, home, work and family!

As touched on in my last post, I had to get more involved with my mother's affairs because she had a fall, and we were told she could no longer live in her own home. This had a significant impact on everyone. There was the obvious shock to Mum. She had become quite comfortable in her home with a friend there as a live in carer but up to this point it hard worked reasonably well. I had the odd concern from time to time, but overall Mum's needs were appearing to be met.

When it was realised however that Mum couldn't return home, everything became very complicated, and it was made more so that Mum was starting to shut down from the shock of it all, and was not always consistent in her state of mind from day to day. She is also went through denial at first, essentially not accepting that she couldn't go home, and that this was all temporary. I won't go into all the details of what happened next, because my Mum is a very private person, but let's just say that my right as her only next of kin to help determine what happens next was challenged. Even though I have enduring power of attorney over Mum's financial affairs, the laws here are such that Mum had to make the decision, and it was at times doubtful whether she could actually make it, as she was refusing to accept that she could not return home. Other parties became involved who have been associated with Mum and my family in the past, and the whole situation became very complicated, and at times rather nasty as they tried to sway Mum's decision as to where should would live. Even aspects of Mum's estate were coming into the discussion, even though she was well and truly still with us in the land of the living.

After a painful two weeks or so, we managed to get a decision from Mum to let us care for her in our family home for a while, and then when she is ready, she can go into another form of care. I must stress though, only when she is ready.

So what is the point of this post?

A time will come for all of us where we are potentially forced to change our life situation, and you may not have a say in it. You could become disabled in a motor vehicle accident, you could be struck down with a serious illness or worse. No matter what age you are, you will have affairs, assets and liabilities that will need to be managed. Do you have your affairs in order?

Depending on your age, you may need to consider different things. If you are out of school and earning, the very minimum you will need is a will. As you get older however, it is also prudent to have a form of power of attorney in place with someone you trust and also ensure that those you have allocated this responsibility are well aware of your wishes, preferably in a documented form. Then, when the unexpected does happen, not only will your affairs be cared for, you will also be making it much easier and less stressful for those who need to become involved.

My Mum's affairs were partly catered for, but there were avenues for others to exploit and generally make it more difficult for everyone. It is also amazing how nasty something can become when there is money potentially involved.

You owe it to yourself, your friends and family. Be prepared, and have your arrangements in order. Also, as your situation changes, keep your affairs up to date with regular reviews.

Top of my projects list now is to sort my own arrangements out after having been through what was essentially hell for the last few weeks. I wouldn't wish what I have been through on anyone.

Later.