Manage energy with tags e1 e2 e3
Just as many people use tags for contexts like @office or @errands or @spouse or @boss, I use tags for finding the tasks that match up my level of energy.
Most of my tasks get one of three tags:
- e1 (Low energy)
- e2 (Medium energy)
- e3 (High energy)
I tag my tasks this way, because although managing your time is important, just as important is managing your energy. Loehr and Schwartz wrote a book about it http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Full-Engagement-Performance/dp/0743226755 and an article in Harvard Business Review http://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time/ar/1 for those interested in the theory. Furthermore, this ties in well with the concept of eat that frog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W7GB5Fh2XM
When I'm alert (often times in the morning) I want to do hard tasks, such as writing or reading a difficult mathematical proof. When I'm this high energy level mode, I go to my smartlist tag:e3 start doing it.
When I'm tired (often times at 5pm or in the evening) I want to do simple tasks like "take photos of Steven's notes on lecture 5" or . Sometimes, I'm in the middle, and I'll do a task with tag:e2.
Also, I lied. There are actaully a forth, e0. That's for tasks I want to do during a break. This should not be tasks like "read sms" or "watch this youtube clip" since those are terrible breaks. Instead, these are the tasks I do during a break, for example: "wash the dishes", "buy groceries", or "clean the desk". In fact, the e0 must be tasks that I can do without a computer; otherwise it's not really a break.
Most of my tasks get one of three tags:
- e1 (Low energy)
- e2 (Medium energy)
- e3 (High energy)
I tag my tasks this way, because although managing your time is important, just as important is managing your energy. Loehr and Schwartz wrote a book about it http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Full-Engagement-Performance/dp/0743226755 and an article in Harvard Business Review http://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time/ar/1 for those interested in the theory. Furthermore, this ties in well with the concept of eat that frog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W7GB5Fh2XM
When I'm alert (often times in the morning) I want to do hard tasks, such as writing or reading a difficult mathematical proof. When I'm this high energy level mode, I go to my smartlist tag:e3 start doing it.
When I'm tired (often times at 5pm or in the evening) I want to do simple tasks like "take photos of Steven's notes on lecture 5" or . Sometimes, I'm in the middle, and I'll do a task with tag:e2.
Also, I lied. There are actaully a forth, e0. That's for tasks I want to do during a break. This should not be tasks like "read sms" or "watch this youtube clip" since those are terrible breaks. Instead, these are the tasks I do during a break, for example: "wash the dishes", "buy groceries", or "clean the desk". In fact, the e0 must be tasks that I can do without a computer; otherwise it's not really a break.
emily (Remember The Milk) says:
Hi jacob.l,
I like it -- great use of tags!
You're this week's Tips & Tricks Tuesday winner, so we've added a free year of Pro to your Remember The Milk account. :)
I like it -- great use of tags!
You're this week's Tips & Tricks Tuesday winner, so we've added a free year of Pro to your Remember The Milk account. :)
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