Thinking about New Year’s resolutions? If your personal task management system could use a little overall, read on. The free, easy to implement and easy to use AutoFocus 4 can help you stay organized in 2010.
What is AutoFocus?
Autofocus is a time management system developed by Mark Forster. It is based on the principle of having one unprioritized list of everything you have to do. Before you decide that this cannot possibly work, or that it is the same as any other to-do list, read through the How Does It Work section below. The very few rules of the system are simple, elegant, and work quite well.
Why Autofocus?
Mark describes the benefits of the autofocus system as follows:
- Greatly increased volume of work completed
- Focus on the most important things
- Lack of stress
- Very fast processing of routine items
- Thorough processing of major tasks/projects through a “little and often” approach
What supplies do you need
This is a low-tech system1. All you need to do Autofocus well is a small ruled notebook, a pen, and a highlighter.
I’ve found campus slim B5 notebooks excellent, though these may be hard to come by outside of NYC (or Japan). This notebook from staples should work equally well.
You’ll want to keep your notebook with you to capture all items as they occur.
How much does it cost?
Mark has provided the system free of charge. If you like it, you could send him a note or post a message on the active Autofocus discussion forum. I’m sure he would appreciate it.
Why are there different Autofocus versions?
Each of the revisions of Autofocus have incorporated changes based on feedback from early adopters of the system. The consensus on the forum seems to be that AF4 is ready for public consumption and general use.
How does Autofocus differ from Getting Things Done?
Getting Things Done requires quite a bit of structural maintenance to be effective. The weekly review, which David Allen emphasizes as a key to GTD, is one of the most difficult things for GTD users to do consistently. GTD users often can fall into a pattern of spending more time on the system than actually doing tasks.
If you use GTD, or have in the past, Autofocus can work very well for you. All the key principles of GTD can be used with Autofocus (e.g. ticklers, one list, reviews, someday-maybe). Having said this, Autofocus is a unique system and is best started on its own. You can always add other pieces to it later after you’ve used it for a few weeks or a month.
How does Autofocus 4 work?
This is how you start for the first time2
- Open your notebook to the first page.
- Add each task that’s in your mind right now. Place each task on its own line. Place tasks in whatever order they occur to you. One task = one line. It’s not necessary or recommended to add all the tasks from any other systems you may have here.
- When you’ve added all the things that are in your mind right now, draw a line underneath your last item. Everything above this line is called the Closed List.
- As new tasks come up, continue to add them one per line. All of these tasks below the line are called the Open List.
This is how you use the system
- Read through each item on the closed list in order. Work on any task which feels ready to be done. Cross out any task you have worked on too long and re-enter at the end of the Open List if you have more work to do on it.
- When you reach the line, start again at the top of the Closed List. Move through the closed list tasks in order until you’ve moved through all closed list tasks without any tasks standing out to you as ready to be done.
- Move now to the Open List. Move through the Open List in order working on any tasks that are ready to be done. Make only one pass through the Open List. At the end of that pass, move back to the start of the Closed List and continue from step 1.
When all the tasks in the closed list have been crossed out, draw a line under the open list. This now becomes the new closed list.
What to do if no items on the closed list stand out on the first pass
This usually happens after you’ve gone through your closed list many times. In this case, use your highlighter to highlight every task on the closed list which has not been crossed out. Proceed once through the open list. The next time you come to the closed list, look at each highlighted item. If none stand out for you to do on this next pass, consider each one individually. You can:
- Add it as is to the bottom of the open list (not recommended), or
- Rephrase or break into multiple tasks adding each to the open list, or
- Decide not to do the item and forget about it.
After reviewing each highlighted item, cross it out completely. When you have reviewed all of the highlighted items, make a new line at the end of your open list. This now becomes your closed list.
This is all you have to know to use Autofocus. Easy, right? Again, don’t let that put you off. This is a remarkable system for getting amazing quantities of work done. Best yet, it’s a fun system to use.
How do you handle projects?
Projects are best handled outside of Autofocus. Some people add the project name to their Autofocus lists. When they come to the project name, they move to their project system and work on it as long as it feels right to do. They then cross out the project name from the Autofocus list and add it again to the end if the project still needs work.
I keep a “Targets” notebook which includes my current personal and work goals and projects. For each project I have a page with all my open tasks. I add these tasks to my Autofocus log whenever I review my projects (weekly), or at any other time that is appropriate. This feels a little casual after using GTD for so long, but it works.
How do you handle agendas and waiting-for items?
In my Autofocus log, I have a separate section for these items. If I need to discuss something with Joe, I add an entry to the agenda section like this:
(A Joe) What is the plan for project x. Is it on for January 1?
If Pat is supposed to get a file to me by a certain date, I add an entry to the agenda section like this:
(W Pat) December Hours Excel File (15-Jan)
This makes it easy to follow up and/or work efficiently with other people without harassing them or letting things drop.
Conclusion
Mark Forster has created a wonderfully powerful system in Autofocus. You’ll only see how good it is if you try it.
Happy 2010!
- Autofocus 4 can be done electronically. Check the Autofocus forum for on-line and other implementations. [↩]
- You can also read Mark’s preliminary instructions for Autofocus 4. [↩]
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[Ask the Tarot] Ditch the project? How might I move forward with a project that has become stale and which I feel tempted to ditch?
Hi Claudia,
I hope your move has gone well! I am still working well with Autofocus 4, with a projects list in Word and a list of my Areas of Focus. As I said before, I keep hard due date tasks both in AF4 AND in Outlook 2007 as I can then track these in my Outlook calendar. All in all, things are working beautifully! One piece of advice….always, always strive to keep things as simple as possible. The more complexity one builds into their time management system, the more time one finds that they spend ON THE SYSTEM rather than getting their work done! Believe me, I have been there and that is why I love AF4 so much.
Do you agree? Alec, how about you?
Best wishes,
-David
Hi David, I do agree! I have spent more time tweaking my systems than actually getting things done. I think that’s what was so appealing to me about AF4! And I’m doing a modified version these days: using Omnifocus for Projects, Areas of Focus and NAs (contexts are Work, Home, Errands and Waiting For). I jot things down on paper as they come to me and process them later … it’s been working, and I am keeping it as simple as I can. I heard a podcast with David Allen this morning about his recent visit to a high school – he just told the kids, “Make a list of everything you need to finish…” Pretty good reminder!
Claudia
Hi David! I saw your recent entries on the AF blog – almost posted there, but thought Alec might enjoy being part of this discussion. Why did you return to AF1, and if you don’t mind, could you summarize for me the differences between AF1 and 4? You sound as busy as me in my book publishing life… and it sure sounds like AF1 is working well for you. Thanks for sharing!
Claudia
Hi David! I am playing with my system again too – sometimes for me it’s part of the review process. We are moving in two weeks and there’s lots that I don’t want to fall through the cracks. I’m using paper and A4 but I confess to experimenting the past couple of days with Omnifocus and a more traditional GTD approach. I’ll keep you posted! But as things come at me on the fly during the day, nothing beats collecting on paper. Later, processing into projects and/or NAs. I know AF merges these two steps, but in the long run, I’m wondering if it is as efficient. Any tips from my fellow tinkerers?
Claudia
Hi David and Claudia,
Tinkering with systems is a lot of fun (this coming from an inveterate tinkerer like you both)! Nevertheless, I too keep to my AF4 log. Is it perfect? The project and next action (NA) processing could be better. Is it good enough? Have to say yes – the only things that are not done in any given period of time are the ones that I have had in front of me and chosen repeatedly not to do.
Pretty good system.
Claudia, good luck with your move.
Alec
Hi Claudia and Alec,
I agree — tinkering is fun, but think of how much time we waste on trying to create the “perfect” system. Boy, I know I have wasted a lot of time….and as busy as I am, that was time I could have spent….guess what….getting things done!
Claudia, I am sticking with AF4. Since I came from a digital GTD setup, I still use many aspects of GTD, which are quite good. I still maintain a projects list, make sure there are next actions for each project on my AF4 list (or entries like “work on project X!”), perform a weekly review, maintain a list of my “Areas of Focus”, etc. I track hard due dates for items in Outlook 2007 as that is where I keep my calendar. Our university maintains calendars in Outlook, so for scheduling meetings, it only makes sense to keep my calendar there. SO a mix of digital and paper (AF4 list), with the principles of GTD and AF4 for processing my actions.
-David
Great advice from you both! It’s very helpful to hear how someone else is actually implementing the methodology – whether GTD or AF4 or a mixture of both. I think what you both describe is just about right. Since our move came up really quickly and then went from 4 weeks to 2, it’s a good chance for me to experiment with an electronic setup (Mac and iPhone with Omnifocus) and see how it actually goes. I’ll keep you posted! But I suspect that keeping the AF4 list of NAs on paper, hard due dates in iCal, and Projects and Areas of Focus in Omnifocus is probably the ideal setup…
Now – on to the packing!
Claudia
Hi Claudia and Alec,
As a completely helpless tinkerer on systems (must be the professor and scientist part of me), I have posted on Mark’s website that the new book from Michael Linenberger did nothing for me. I have seen this kind of approach in one form or another at least 50 times over the past 10 years.
So….once again….and am sure it will be hard because I love to tinker with systems….I have posted there — and here — that I am staying with I have found STILL to work best for me — Autofocus 4. I tried AF1 for a while…..but AF4 really is a better system — at least for me.
-David
Hi Alec and David,
In case you haven’t see it, very interesting thread on the Omnifocus site regarding AutoFocus!
http://forums.omnigroup.com/showthread.php?t=11373
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for this link — very interesting! Ah, the power of Autofocus…..and on paper!
Here is an interesting link from a blog of a very bright young man. It is a fresh look at how to work on projects. I am finding this approach compliments well with AF4. We all have to find ways to focus on specific projects to get them done. I am finding his approach to be quite useful. There is also a link at the bottom to an article entitled “The Einstein Principle: Acomplish more by doing less”. I think this is good advice for all of us. We get SO busy with so many things that our focus becomes so splintered that it is hard to do great work….versus just good work….and for some….just staying “busy”.
Here is the link:
http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2007/10/18/the-art-of-the-finish-how-to-go-from-busy-to-accomplished/
Best wishes,
-David
Hi Claudia and Alec,
So how are things going with you?
-David
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Hi David!
I wouldn’t beat myself up about flipping back and forth between ways to AutoFocus! It’s all part of the process. The methodology stays the same. I am loving working from my paper lists – it’s working well and I’m getting a lot of stuff done (and I can see when I’m NOT too). I’ve been using a daily time-block to keep myself on track and that’s a nice complement to the lists too. I loved your point about not having everything on the computer because of eyestrain – that makes sense! Have a great week, David, and keep us posted on your progress!
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
Thanks — and as I responded to Alec, being back with my AF4 paper notebook is wonderful!!
Best wishes,
-David
Hi Claudia and Alec,
Well….I said on Mark’s foum that I was going to try ONE MORE TIME on DWM but this time using a complete digital setup in Outlook 2007. So I have tried this for a few days now and I am finding that I HATE IT. I miss my paper Autofocus 4 notebook. Doing everything digital is hard on my eyes (my Optometrist did tell me to not sit and stare at a computer 12+ hours a day with my 54 year-old eyes).
I am not going to post on Mark’s forum that I am giving up for the 3rd time (or is it 4th?) on his DWM. I feel like such a fool.
At any rate, I would love to hear how you are doing with AF4. Maybe if I receive some correspondence from you, I will stop this relentless tinkering and actually concentrate more on important work. Imagine that….smiles….
Best wishes,
-David
Hi David,
Who ever said that technology made us more effective? It certainly makes us faster…but not clear that that improves the quality of what we do, or helps us to focus on the most important things.
Paper is our friend. Your AF4 notebook wants to be your friend. Why fight a good thing?
GRIN
Alec
Great points, Alec! I loved this! I feel SO MUCH better now that I am back with my paper AF4 notebook. Now, back to work!
-David
Hi Claudia,
Alec’s method of combining waiting fors and agendas in one section has worked very well for me. It is so nice in a meeting to quickly turn to that page to see all of those right there in case I need to follow-up with someone.
OneNote is similar to EverNote. Today I decided to just make a Word document for my projects list. I have a link to that document on my desktop, so it is very easy to access and update quickly.
-David
Hi Alec,
Reading David’s comments above, I reviewed how you use Agendas. I haven’t ever considered putting Waiting For and Agendas together, but the way you describe it, I just might give it a go. I’ve always kept a very efficient Waiting For list but haven’t been able to consistently use Agenda lists. This afternoon I’ve blocked out 4:00-5:30 for a Weekly Review and this is something I’m going to adjust in my system.
And David – I use Evernote (I’m on a Mac) for my Projects; I wonder if this is similar to OneNote?
Happy Friday!
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
Before adding Agendas to the Waiting For items, I had never been able to use them consistently. Much easier now to add items whenever they come up. Eliminates a lot of prep time before meetings. Hope it works for you.
Alec
Totally agree, David! And you are right about those context lists – it’s great freedom to have fewer of them! I have @Work, @ Personal, Waiting For, and Someday/Maybe. AF4 keeps them vital and more than I ever, I AM getting things done. Tinkering, though – it’s just part of the process, so don’t beat yourself up!
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for your kind words. And my setup is almost exactly as yours! My AF4 list is my @Work list, @Personal is my home AF4 list, and then I keep a separate Someday/Maybe list of things that I really just want to think about — they are not ready to be put on the AF4 list just yet. I keep an @Agenda/Waiting for section in my AF4 notebook exactly as Alec does and shown in his blog here. And finally, I keep a separate projects list in OneNote on my computer — that is easy to print out and take with me and does not change as frequently.
Alec, how are you doing with things?
Best wishes,
-David
Alec and Claudia,
I am sorry for my insane tinkering on Mark’s new DWM system. I guess I had to try it one more time as explained above — and all digitial — and that lasted less than one day! As much as I work with computers, I love my paper notebook!
I just cannot put my hands around Mark’s new system. I seem to be so much more happy and in control with AF4. So I REALLY am staying with AF4 this time — really….enough tinkering. I actually need to get a lot of work done. One thing that is so nice about AF4 is the very low overhead. So one actually can focus on their work and not spend so much time on the system itself. And yet, it is so powerful of a system.
So….don’t be like I have been and wasted so much time tinkering. Let’s stay with AF4….now back to work!
-David
Hi Claudia,
Well, I tried one more time with DWM — the shortest time ever! I tried a completely digital setup in Outlook 2007. I posted on Mark’s site. I then went to a meeting and am used to taking my trusty AF4 notebook with me and forgot to print out the tasks page. Okay — enough….I am staying with AF4 and that is it — too much tweaking and playing around with this!!
I agree that David Allen is a great mind and his overall approach is good. However, I could not stand those context lists as all I did was constantly tweak them — and so many things could go into different contexts at the same time.
Mark’s journey through Autofocus has been brilliant. AF4 is the best version for me and what I am sticking with!
Maybe the three of us could start an AF4 discussion group/club?
I do think I need a vacation.
-David
David,
I think the thing I appreciate the most about AF4 is that it is has clarified for me the value of using paper. And it’s that refinement (and simplification) of the GTD context lists that keep me from “going numb” to them. But while I think Mark Forster has some great insights, overall my feeling is that David Allen covers the big picture in a way that’s more sophisticated and complete. It’s so great to be able to get the basic principles of the methodology and then come up with these tweaks like AF4 etc. to create a system that makes sense for you.
Claudia
PS – Love the thread you started on Mark’s forum – the poll – so fascinating to read all the responses!
Well, I must say I went back to try out Mark’s new system some more upon some subtle urging of friends on Mark’s website. I tried it for another week or so — am not sure exactly how long. Yes, there are some very good things with DWM….but you know what…I am back to AF4 for good now. I simply think that the Autofocus system, with its long time out there and going through four versions, is simply THE BEST system I have ever worked! AF4 in particular — the “final” version — is so good. I love the very low overhead, the simplicity, yet extreme elegance and thorough review by so many people.
Alec, I request that you post on your blog that there are those of us out there that have decided to stay with AF4 because we think it is the best. I know Mark really likes his new system, as do many others on his website. I think the world of Mark, but for me….AF4 is the better system.
Comments?
-David
Hi David,
I once worked for a manager who was an amazing innovator. Once, a colleague complained to me that this manager changed the folder structure on a network drive so many times, that every time this colleague looked for something, she couldn’t find it.
To this day I think the world of this manager. Working for her I was privileged to have the regular experience of being presented with better models for thinking about things and for doing them.
To me Mark Forster is a little like my old manager. From his website he releases regular models which offer the potential of changing how things are done for the better.
This new system is his latest experiment, which he released to the world much earlier than he would have otherwise, to get feedback. It seems like he’s getting it. With this, it would not surprise me at all if this new system changes into something completely different than it is at present. AF4 started as AF1!
For now I’m with you though. AF4 meets my needs simply and elegantly. And remember, I had years of a very extensive GTD system!
Peace,
Alec
Hi Alec,
Nice story — I agree that Mark fits that well! And I too had an extensive, digital GTD system for quite a while. I still follow a lot of the GTD approach in terms of lists of projects, which we discussed earlier, Agendas, Waiting for, etc. But the wonderful, simple AF4 notebook cannot be beat! As much as I use computers, I just love that notebook.
Best wishes,
-David
Hi David and Alec,
I totally agree with both of you – AF4 is just great. Personally, I have never been more productive. I don’t think of it as separate from GTD either – to me it’s just a refinement. David, I think you are to be commended for giving Mark’s new system another try; but I’m glad to hear your conclusions! And as Alec says, who knows what Mark will ultimately develop – he’s a mad scientist! I think the most important insight I’ve had through all of this is that PAPER is key for me in terms of really staying connected to my next actions.
I really appreciate these blog posts – thank you!
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
Yes, I have found now that paper is the way to go. I used to be all digital in my GTD system, but because of Mark and his versions of AF, I have realized how much better I work if I maintain my lists on paper.
As for Mark’s DWM, I really, really wanted to like this system. It IS intriguing, but so hard to get used to adding tasks always 30 days ahead, or 7 days ahead for tasks not done after working on them. You end up with clusters of tasks on pages — and there could be several pages, to say the least. But I did like the sense of the subtle pressure of his “dates of doom”. As one sees tasks getting closer to the deadline, it does force one to think about either getting them done or letting them fall off the conveyor belt.
SO, back to my AF4 notebook for now as this works so very well.
-David
Hi Alec and Claudia,
I just posted on Mark’s site — I am quitting my testing of his new system and going back to AF4! While I do like the idea of task commitment, I just basically have found that I do not like the new system. I missed my simple, AF4 notebook. So it is AF4 for me, which is a brilliant system!
Maybe the AF4 users here can hang together and recruit others on how good this simple, but very elegant system is at heart!
-David
Hi David,
Glad you have found that AF4 works for you. At least 3 of us (Claudia, you and I) are firmly on board. Am sure others feel the same way.
Alec
Hi David,
Alec is right – I totally agree with you that AF4 is simple and elegant! And I love keeping my lists on paper – there’s just something about it that keeps me connected. I’m just trying to decide on where to keep a Projects list (I realize that AF4 says you really don’t require one) and any Areas of Focus, goals, etc.
It will be interesting to see what happens with DWM or whatever it’s called. I think this may have been just a step along the way for Mark.
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
I see more people on Mark’s website going back to AF4 or AF3. For me, AF4 is the best and that is what I am sticking with.
As for projects, I keep a separate list of all of my active projects — on paper, of course. I also have a list of my Areas of Focus, which I review every week to make sure projects and tasks are in line with these, along with major goals. I have a project task list for each major project (again on paper). Here, I may list several tasks that I need to do. In AF4, I add entries like “work on project X”. If that feels right for me to do, then I go to the separate project list and work from there. I may do that for 30 minutes, or half a day — whatever I feel is necessary and in balance with everything else.
Hope this helps…
-David
David,
This is exactly the way I’m working – and I’m getting things done! (I run the book publishing division of a media house.) Thank you for sharing about the Projects, etc. I was debating about keeping the Project list in Omnifocus but have decided to go with all paper right now. I do keep project notes in Evernote primarily.
Thanks again!
Claudia
Hi David and Claudia,
Again, we’re all 3 in line with how we handle projects. Pretty cool!
Be well,
Alec
Hi Alec and David,
I just can’t get my head around Mark’s new system (but then I kind of felt that way about the finer points of AF – literally until I read this post (thank you Alec!). There’s something about the new one that does NOT resonate with me. Right now, I have four lists: Work, Personal, Waiting For, and Someday/Maybe. I have my Projects listed in Omnifocus. I’ve been toying with the idea of moving the lists from Circa back to OF… not sure if I can stay connected to them that way though! I’ve been rereading the GTD/Omnifocus pdf and revisiting how to set it up. I also am interested in how you two handle projects and areas of focus.
Hi Alec,
Have you tried Mark’s new DWM system? Or are you sticking with AF4? Autofocus, especially version 4, at least for me, is still an outstanding sytem. What are your thoughts?
How about you, Claudia?
Best wishes,
-David
Hi David,
For now am sticking with AF4 – it works exceptionally well. Hard to justify changing.
I do have an unused 2010 day to page diary. If you would like it, let me know and I’ll send it to you to use.
Alec
Hi Alec,
Thanks for your offer, but I have a diary I am using. I will keep you posted as to how I think DWM compares with AF4. I agree that AF4 is an outstanding system….but the insane tinkering part of my personality is moving me to try out Mark’s new system. If after time I think AF4 worked better for me, then I will go back. So far, DWM is working pretty well, but it is still very early and the jury is still out. Like you, I DO know that AF4 works for me!
-David
Hi Alec,
I must admit, though, I am having some anxiety about trying out Mark’s new system — not because it is not a good system — but I REALLY like AF4 and feel bad about leaving it for a new system. Interesting feelings I am having, huh? AF4 is so simple, works so well….
-David
Hi Claudia,
I really like AF4 too. But I just feel compelled to try this new system out — and I as I said, I am really intrigued by some parts of it. If after time I find it is not for me, then I will simply go back to AF4!
Best wishes,
-David
Thanks David and Alec! David, I love your positive attitude towards this. For me, I’m going to follow the beta group and see how it shakes out. I really like AF4 – and I’m thinking of working it in OmniFocus again – I was for a while, and it worked well. But there’s such value and speed in capturing on paper.
Hi Alec and Claudia,
I too have been very impressed with AF4 and have used it extensively. I am intrigued to say the least by Mark’s new system. It is, in essence, a long AF list with built-in dates for dismissal. I particularly like the idea of commitment — if you work on something and it is not done, it is added only one week ahead.
I think one will experience more pressure to get things done with the looming dates of pages with lots of tasks on them. It certainly will give one a good perspective of how much they have on their plate and if they can take on a new task/project at the urging of their colleagues or boss. One would simply have to see what tasks are looming — there are so many on pages over the next two weeks — I simply cannot take on anymore and get these done.
The jury is of course still out on his new system as it is still being tested with a lot of people joning in. As for me, I am giving it a go to see how I get along with it. I feel I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If after a month or more I decide I like it, I will stay with it. If I decide I do not like it and was not as producitve as I was with AF4, then I simply will go back to AF4! That I do know works. But again, I must say, I am very intrigued by the concept of dates and seeing tasks get closer and closer to the do or die date.
-David
Alec and David,
What do you think of Mark’s new system? (I’ve seen some positive comments from you, David.) I’m reading through all the discussions, but I don’t know…. to me AF4 is working seamlessly and I’m not getting what the benefits of this new system are. Thoughts?
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
The new system seems like a let-down to me. Perhaps like you I’m so pleased with AF4 that it’s hard to see the benefits of DIT2/AF5. But I don’t think so. The new system as I understand it adds a lot of overhead. AF4 is good with a simple notebook. The key benefit seems to be the addition of deadlines for tasks. While AF4 doesn’t explicitly deal with hard deadlines, they can be easily added to the tasks. As someone else on Mark’s forum said, “I’m going to sit on the sidelines with this one (to see how it shakes out)”.
Having said all that, this is an early pre-release version. Just like AF1, it may well morph into something fantastic.
Hopefully David will weigh in on this one. He may be seeing something you and I are not. David?
Alec
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I really love Circa – it’s great for AF because you can move pages around and it’s nice to write on…. my husband gave me a Bomber Jacket Jr Circa for Christmas and it’s gorgeous. Less bulky than a ring binder too, and I like how you can insert different size pages if you want. I had invested years ago in the hole punch, and that adds to the versatility. (Of course, straight AF4 doesn’t need anything else but the Circa lined paper!)
Hi Claudia,
Me too — I love AF4 and will be very hesitant to give it up and embrace a new system. But I am sure I will give Mark’s new system a try….who knows….it may be the best ever! It sounds like it will have aspects of Autofocus and DIT integrated together. This sounds exciting!
-David
Yes, agree with you completely. He seems excited about it – at least from the thread on the AF forum you posted above.
Alec
He now says that his new system will be more like DIT2. He also said that he hopes to have this out much sooner than his original estimate of a month. This certainly sounds intriguing….
-David
I’m really excited – I can’t wait to see what this is. I have Do It Tomorrow – I think I will reread it just so I’m up to speed!
It will be interested to see what Mark unveils! For me, I’m just loving AF4 – I’m using a Circa Jr size with three lists: Work, Personal, and Waiting For. Nothing gets missed! It’s like a continual mindsweep. My project list is in Omnifocus, but I’m experimenting with moving it to Evernote. This weekend, I worked off my Personal list (which includes household stuff as well as my freelance project tasks) and then back at work yesterday I was really productive working from my Work list. It’s simple yet effective.
Claudia
How do you like the Circa system, Claudia? Have heard a lot of good things about it.
Alec
Check out Mark Forster’s website. He has posted that he is coming out soon with yet another new time management system!
http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/989353
-David
This is exciting news…I think?!?
Only thing is…Mark is saying it will be another month. How are we going to wait that long?
Grin.
Alec
Yep…I guess I think this is good news….but I like AF4 so much….and thought it was the last version….but am sure I will try out his new system. And yes….patience will be stretched, to say the least….I certainly will have a hard time waiting so long!
-David
Thanks, Alec. I will explore this further. Now back to my Autofocus 4 list!
-David
Thanks for this wonderful explanation of AutoFocus! For some reason, for the first time I can understand it much more clearly than reading the directions Mark himself provides! I’m a GTD-er but I’m going to give this another try -
Hi Claudia,
I still embrace many aspects of GTD — all of the organizing, processing, keeping a projects list. I have an Agenda/Waiting for section in my AF4 notebook exactly as described here. I have found Autofocus 4 to be outstanding! I cannot believe how productive I have been following this simple system — and in a spiral-bound, paper notebook!
-David
So David, do you keep your calendar online or on paper? I struggle with wanting to have everything in one place – one notebook – Anyway, I am revitalized with my new understanding of AutoFocus! Thanks for you helpful comments too!
Hi Claudia,
I maintain my calendar entirely in Outlook 2007 as this is university-based and I need to do this for meetings access. It is of course on my desktop, but since it is on a unverisity server, I can access it from my laptop anywhere.I keep my list of projects in Outlook as well in the To-Do Bar. My AF4 notebook is entirely in a simple, spiral-bound notebook, divided as described here with a separte section for Agendas/Waiting For. I used to be all digital, but I have loved going back to paper and pencil (or pen)!
-David
David and Claudia,
Thanks so much for your comments – wonderful to connect with others who are trying and/or using Autofocus.
Claudia, I used to keep all of my GTD system in electronic format (using an outliner program called Bonsai). It worked very well. Later I followed the group who were moving back to pen and paper (aka the Hipster PDA crew).
Autofocus can easily be done online – though as David says, it works incredibly well with a simple paper notebook.
Please keep me posted as you continue on with the system. If anything comes up as you use it, I’d be glad to help out if I can.
Alec
UPDATE: P.S. Claudia, I keep my appointments in Google Calendar, which is accessible through mobile and web, everywhere. My main client is on Outlook. I keep those meetings synced with GCal.
Hi Alec,
I am intrigued….does Google Calendar synch well with Outlook 2007? I may want to try this….
-David
Hi David,
The sync with Outlook 2007 can be done in a few ways with various degrees of success. Ultimately it depends on how “locked down” your university is. If you can publish your Outlook 2007 calendar, you’ll be able to subscribe via your google calendar and voila, success. If this doesn’t work, you can run the google sync program on your Outlook PC. Worst case scenario, you can setup a rule in Outlook to forward all calendar invites to your google account. If you use this last solution, you’ll just have to remember to BCC: invite yourself to all meetings that you schedule in Outlook.
If any of this is unclear, write me offline and I can try to help.
Alec
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Autofocus 4 is indeed an outstanding system! As a very busy professional, I have been more productive with Autofocus 4 than any other system. People, you MUST try this very simple system out. It really does work!
Best regards,
-David
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