Personal Kanban
Are you more visual? Need to see your to-do-list before you can actually do it? Then this simple system is perfect for you.
All you need to do is divide all your tasks into three categories: To Do, Doing, and Done. Arrange them in a visual way; whether it be sticky notes on a white board, or the sticky notes app on your laptop and make sure you check it regularly and move things around when need be.
In his book, "Personal Kanban: Mapping Work - Navigating Life," Jim Benson explains: "Visualising work reduces the distractions of existential overhead by transforming fuzzy concepts into tangible objects that your brain can easily grasp and prioritize."
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The SMART Method
If you've got big ideas that need to be turned into actionable plans, this is for you. Whether you're trying to write that novel, or trying to construct a proposal and create achievable goals, this could work for you.
First off, SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Timely.
As in, what would you specifically like to accomplish? Which measurable tasks can get you to the finish line? Who is assigned which role? What are the realistic challenges here? And finally, how timely is the deadline?
These are the things you need to ask yourself with this method. It can work for individuals and businesses alike!
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The Action Method
The Action Method was developed in 2006 by Behance as a way of simplifying creative meetings.
Being creative often means you have to think outside the box... but getting things done means you have to put it all back inside the box to make it work. How do you do that, exactly? Well, according to the Action Method, you break down ideas into three categories: Action Items, Backburner Items, and Reference Items.
Action: The steps you'll take to get it all done.
Backburner: Interesting, but maybe not for this project.
Reference: The resources and information you'll need.
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The Timeboxing Method
Small tasks and interruptions take too much of your time? Often we get distracted by the minutiae... low-priority emails, chatty colleagues, etc.
The timeboxing method holds you accountable by allotting specific time slots for specific work in your daily plan. You'll have to split up your day into blocks of time assigned with specific tasks; like dedicating a block to reading and answering emails instead of interrupting yourself while you're in the middle of writing a proposal or designing something important because your friend sent you a cat video.
There's also a variation called day-theming, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's a simple method, but the different varieties can be layered on top of each other to make it even more effective.
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The Pomodoro Method
The Pomodoro Method is, in some ways, similar to timeboxing — it's all about breaking up your work day into manageable chunks. Some say Pomodoro makes them incredibly productive.
Basically, it comes down to this: You work for 25 minutes, take a five-minute break, and repeat for four sprints, after which you take a longer break. It's that simple.
You can, of course, adjust the times to suit you if you feel 25 minutes is not long enough to finish the first chapter of your thesis, re-write that report, or do your monthly budgeting.
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