It has been a month since I started using the Productivity Planner, and I’m ready to report back with some data! I learned a few things about using this planner, some of which surprised me.
What’s Not Working for Me:
I can see the value of what this system has to offer, but I am struggling to use it as intended. I recognize that this planner is likely not intended for everyone. As I talked about in my First Impressions blog, I do not believe this planner is ideal if you tend to have shifting priorities throughout the day, work with others who may assign tasks to you, or have otherwise uncertain workdays. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the issue that I’ve been running into while using this planner.
I always do my best to use each planner exactly as intended, so I can review how the system itself works. But this system, as it is designed, simply cannot work for me.
The main problem I’m facing is the rigid structure that this planner wants you to use for completing your tasks. This planner intends for you to write down up to 5 tasks in order of priority, and then complete the tasks in that order. You are not supposed to skip tasks or deviate from the order of priority.
For me, the most important task of my day is not always one that can or should be completed before other, lesser priority tasks. I’m not sure if that means my perception of priority should be adjusted?
Another thing I’m having some trouble with is motivation. Or maybe momentum? What I mean is – attacking my task list from top-to-bottom is just plain exhausting sometimes. My high-important tasks can be mentally exhausting to work on, even when employing the Pomodoro Technique. Jumping from one difficult task straight into another, then another is hard to do. Plugging in some quick wins in between is refreshing for me, and helps me to feel accomplished while slugging through large tasks. But, with this planner system, I’m always left feeling guilty about doing those quicker, less important tasks when I’m not supposed to be.
What Is Working for Me:
- The Pomodoro Technique! I’m so glad that this planner got me using pomodoros again. I truly believe that it is the most productive way for me to work. Obviously, I can’t use this method all day, every day. But for tasks that require going into deep work mode, I’m finding that I’m able to work longer with less fatigue or burnout when I work in those 25 minute sprints. It may not always feel ideal to stop what you’re doing when the timer ends, but trust me — it is worth it. Getting into the flow of the Pomodoro Technique requires some practice, but once you’re accustomed to it, it’ll feel like a natural way to work.
- Prioritizing my task list. I know I just spent much of the above section talking about how much the ordered task list doesn’t work for me. But that’s not to say that being mindful of my tasks, assessing them, and placing them in order isn’t valuable. Although I am not always completing my tasks in order of priority, like this planner wants me to, I’m finding that evaluating the priority of each task I have is helping me to be more strategic about the ones I’m choosing to work on at any given time.
This first month with the Productivity Planner has changed the way I work for the better. I still feel like I’m getting accustomed to the system in many ways, and I don’t think I’m at my peak efficiency quite yet. I’m excited to continue spending time with this planner and let it shape my work habits for another month. I’ll be sure to report back with new updates along the way! Will I continue to rebel against the system, and work on my tasks out of order? Will I adjust my approach, and let the planner work for me as designed? Let’s find out!