As an autistic individual, I find task management systems invaluable not for their own sake, but because they help me overcome my natural difficulty in switching between detailed and big-picture thinking. While I excel at focusing on details, I can struggle to identify true priorities. My simple system (voice memos processed through Claude) helps me intentionally zoom between granular tasks and high-level priorities. This isn't about getting lost in productivity tools - it's about having the right support structure for how my brain naturally works.
This. Well, I'm not autistic, but I use them the exact same way.
The funny thing is, I have a personal project where I'm following a TODO list for minimal completion. It has finally reached the point where a single item remains, yet I get lost all the time when I start working on it thinking on extensions or not knowing what to do. So I need to constantly consult that single-item TODO list to actually get something done.
1. Brain Dump: Record a voice memo on iPhone, speaking freely about anything I need to do - from household chores to work tasks. No need for structure, just stream of consciousness.
2. Transcription: Use iPhone's built-in transcription to convert the voice memo to text.
3. AI Processing: Feed the transcription into ongoing chat in Claude, which:
- Structures my rambling into a clear task list
- Incorporates context from previous days' tasks
- Formats everything in markdown with checkboxes
4. Task Management: Import the markdown into Drafts app, which lets me easily check off tasks throughout the day.
It's a simple system that combines the ease of verbal brain dumping with the structure of a digital task list, without requiring manual organisation.
When you know what needs to be done, you don't need "productivity", you just need to work.
When you don't know what needs to be done, no amount of "productivity" will compensate for the fact that any work you do is meaningless and any result thereof accidental.
That's simplifying things a bit too far. For a lot of people, the required productivity system is exactly what's needed to enable them to "just work". For example Pomodoro timer is in that category. Unfortunately conveying what's happening in your brain to other people is really tricky.
This is like saying writing out steps when doing math by hand is meaningless, "you should just know the answer".
The point of "productivity" is to "show the work" on figuring out what needs to be done and in what order. Yes, you need to plan a party, but what exactly does that mean? You need to write invitations, respond to questions, contact caterers, research venues, etc.
Maybe a genius like you can figure out all of that in your head instantly, but the rest of us benefit from "writing down the steps".
Reading both posts it sounds like they're in violent agreement rather than disagreeing. There is a lot of FOMO in the aesthetics of productivity but at the end of the day everyone needs a system. It's wise to balance trying to improve the system with getting work done.
Personally I run with a very minimalist setup, am unlikely to change software defaults unless I need too, keep a todo list for myself and use whatever we're using this week to work with others.
I do wonder how much the more productivity systems optimizing people are measuring the actual result versus chasing aesthetics but at the same time I've not noticed it being a net drain so don't particularly care. In part I think it's a case of doing what works for you unless it becomes detrimental. There's a lot to be said for ritual making you comfortable.
> I’m interested in creative breakthroughs, not maximizing any predictable or conceivable variable.
Most jobs and tasks in life don't need any "creative breakthroughs". The article is discussing scheduling, task prioritization and management. Fix this bug, implement this feature, schedule this doctor's appointment, do the dishes, buy toilet paper. No breakthroughs needed for those, creative or otherwise :)
First, 'doing the damn work' all day feels horrible. You need to do some self-assigned and self-guided work during the day to not feel like an assembly line worker.
Second, tweaking your local setup is more like 'ergonomics' then 'productivity'. Working with more ergonomic setup may yield the same output, but it's more enjoyable.
Interesting. I feel far happier when I am able to just "do the damn work" all day. Instead, I find I am constantly having to pander to the onslaught of stakeholders who require constant meticulous management to give me the space to do the damn work. I can hardly get into a flow state anymore because of the heavy layer of management and dependencies.
Oh, I feel this. Here’s a junior with a quick question, there’s a strategy meeting, oh hey the CI pipeline broke for some reason, and why are the workers slow currently? Did you answer my email yet? Nine notifications on Teams, better go check. Fuck, the engineering management call started two minutes ago.
The most consistently productive I've been was using the most stripped down physical bullet journal I could. I needed to write things to organise my thoughts a bit but other than that, anything else was literally a distraction and not a system. Basic, basic, bullet journalling and google calendar reminding me of events. That's all I actually need. The only thing holding me back is my brain refusing to use these things consistently these days and avoiding work.
This is key; understand what works for you personally. There's plenty of workflows and frameworks out there that would rather tell you what they think you need, which is the trap most of us end up falling into.
If your brain is refusing, maybe they aren't all you actually need? There are processes and systems that help me, as an ADHD individual, trick my brain into not refusing.
It worked for like a year. What stopped the streak was COVID. I also recently got an ADHD diagnosis. Things that help with that thus far is morning excercise, cold showers, a deadly cocktail of caffiene and nicotine, and yeah bullet journalling was literally made by an ADHD guy. The system only works if you use it. And the only issue with bullet journalling is keeping the habit of using it. I don't see how that would be easier with any other system. If anything, the simplicity of it allows it to be less overwhelming to force myself to do. My other tactic is forcing myself to only care about work and have no hobbies. That really works and is the only way for me to unlock hyperfocus on work activities, because usually I cannot stand work in any form. But just doesn't seem healthy. Either way, there ain't no app that can help the fact that I am pathologically adverse to habits and consistent work on one thing. But we'll see when I get coaching if they come up with anything magical. All I'm hoping from coaching is that I feel accountability from discussing my systems to keep my systems (bujo and excercising pretty much) running. I don't want app recommendations.
In my mind all these productivity systems cook down to creating a list of tasks. The list can be between 4 and 10 items. You do one task at a time and when you are finished you can cross out the task. This is the extent of focus my brain is capable of. Creating giant backlogs and plans is just | /dev/null in my case.
A giant backlog of tasks can help with strategizing a long-lived project. But I classify them as planning material, and when doing, I just create a new list based on them.
> our grandparents [...] woke up, put on their boots, and got to work, no excuses, no distractions, no bullshit.
And mostly, I suspect, they saw tangible results for their labour. The house got built, the dress got made, the bread got baked. Its easier to get yourself to do things when the things are there, in front of you. Nowadays many of us sit at a desk building or wrangling systems that are intangible and almost un-visualisable. I think its not surprising that our motivation can be lacking.
I'm a developer, but for me my most productive (and rewarding) day of the last year was the day I spent with friends chainsawing and chopping and carrying twelve tonnes of logs for fuel for our climbing hut. Didn't need to get in the zone for that, and at the end we knew what we'd done and it stayed done.
If you had to write software to run the chain saw, and write software to coordinate socializing with your friends, and write software to enjoy the warm luxury of the fireplace, I suspect you'd feel much the same about your software.
Sadly, modern software development (and the workplace in general) is not optimized around generating immediate, tangible outcomes that might be that rewarding.
We are also very isolated from the people who benefit from our labour. We do not see anyone benefiting from what we do.
It is also now usual to pay less attention to doing good work; to produce cheap crap or to design systems to trap customers into subscriptions or otherwise do bad work for greater profit.
Readit News
Thanks very much for taking the time to write it.
The funny thing is, I have a personal project where I'm following a TODO list for minimal completion. It has finally reached the point where a single item remains, yet I get lost all the time when I start working on it thinking on extensions or not knowing what to do. So I need to constantly consult that single-item TODO list to actually get something done.
It's weird how helpful it is.
1. Brain Dump: Record a voice memo on iPhone, speaking freely about anything I need to do - from household chores to work tasks. No need for structure, just stream of consciousness.
2. Transcription: Use iPhone's built-in transcription to convert the voice memo to text.
3. AI Processing: Feed the transcription into ongoing chat in Claude, which: - Structures my rambling into a clear task list - Incorporates context from previous days' tasks - Formats everything in markdown with checkboxes
4. Task Management: Import the markdown into Drafts app, which lets me easily check off tasks throughout the day.
It's a simple system that combines the ease of verbal brain dumping with the structure of a digital task list, without requiring manual organisation.
When you don't know what needs to be done, no amount of "productivity" will compensate for the fact that any work you do is meaningless and any result thereof accidental.
The point of "productivity" is to "show the work" on figuring out what needs to be done and in what order. Yes, you need to plan a party, but what exactly does that mean? You need to write invitations, respond to questions, contact caterers, research venues, etc.
Maybe a genius like you can figure out all of that in your head instantly, but the rest of us benefit from "writing down the steps".
Personally I run with a very minimalist setup, am unlikely to change software defaults unless I need too, keep a todo list for myself and use whatever we're using this week to work with others.
I do wonder how much the more productivity systems optimizing people are measuring the actual result versus chasing aesthetics but at the same time I've not noticed it being a net drain so don't particularly care. In part I think it's a case of doing what works for you unless it becomes detrimental. There's a lot to be said for ritual making you comfortable.
- be intentional, consciously engage, and be present.
- participate by being active rather than passive.
- be consistent and reliable in timing, expectation, and quality.
- be finite by constraint around time, effort, or action.
If one wants just to keep winging it, it is still a choice and OK to be that.
I’m interested in creative breakthroughs, not maximizing any predictable or conceivable variable.
Most jobs and tasks in life don't need any "creative breakthroughs". The article is discussing scheduling, task prioritization and management. Fix this bug, implement this feature, schedule this doctor's appointment, do the dishes, buy toilet paper. No breakthroughs needed for those, creative or otherwise :)
Second, tweaking your local setup is more like 'ergonomics' then 'productivity'. Working with more ergonomic setup may yield the same output, but it's more enjoyable.
This is key; understand what works for you personally. There's plenty of workflows and frameworks out there that would rather tell you what they think you need, which is the trap most of us end up falling into.
Good on you for listening to yourself.
And mostly, I suspect, they saw tangible results for their labour. The house got built, the dress got made, the bread got baked. Its easier to get yourself to do things when the things are there, in front of you. Nowadays many of us sit at a desk building or wrangling systems that are intangible and almost un-visualisable. I think its not surprising that our motivation can be lacking.
I'm a developer, but for me my most productive (and rewarding) day of the last year was the day I spent with friends chainsawing and chopping and carrying twelve tonnes of logs for fuel for our climbing hut. Didn't need to get in the zone for that, and at the end we knew what we'd done and it stayed done.
Sadly, modern software development (and the workplace in general) is not optimized around generating immediate, tangible outcomes that might be that rewarding.
I am both completely unqualified and intensely interested in undertaking this task.
It is also now usual to pay less attention to doing good work; to produce cheap crap or to design systems to trap customers into subscriptions or otherwise do bad work for greater profit.