But I want to say again how refreshing it is to be writing a “Got done” list rather than a “To do” list. Even if it’s easier to create the latter.

Quite fun.

As for #3 - in my work practice creating piles of stuff on the floor is definitely an action. I’ve been adding to the piles as I clear the desk.

So while it’s not a completed task; it’s a completed step that’s allowing me to clearing the desk. Marking it down helps me see that I’m making progress.

Would love your feedback on whether I’m just making a mudpie out of a master plan.

-Bill

Thanks ever so much for responding to Shelley’s request for a real example of an action log. I must admit that I do sometime have misgivings after making my own entries, so before commenting on yours I think I need to explain that self checking as to the “action” nature of entries is a healthy ongoing process that we might need to keep re-examining almost continuously.

1) and 2) are clear examples of tasks accomplished.

3) I’m concerned that this is shuffling priorities rather than taking actions.

4) is definitely a to do list entry, not an action log.

Well that’s what it looks like from here anyway. Any help?

I wrote above “you could use a text file, word document or a physical notepad” so it depends on what suits you. There are advantages and disadvantages to using computer type. Do you regularly work from more than one workstation or have access to mobile internet? Sometimes a pencil and notebook is faster but the main thing is to adopt a system that will be easy to sustain in the longer run. Posting the action log entries as comments on this blog here is a novel approach, but I’m sure it’s copied from elsewhere and that gives others a chance to comment as well, which is great. I’l go back and do that now.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:10:13 AM

1. recycled the STACK of Nature/Science/CACM from office.

2. scanned 5 paper articles from desk.
- scanned more articles from desk.

3. created piles for current categories of stuff.

4. will need to chunk and do triage on the rest.

———-
Have no idea how this fits with what Andy suggests, but it’s what I’m starting with.

-Bill

So much better just to record what’s done or even what little steps have been taken than to measure my time Twittering or frequency of e-mail reading or … you name it.

So Thank You!

-Bill

p.s. now, where do I keep this log? Online? On paper?

I can imagine that this kind of intentionality could make a real difference in many people’s lives, mine included.

I understand the personal nature of such a log, but would love to see some samples (old ones, maybe), just to get the juices flowing.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

I’ve taken to making at least two entries per day now, a.m and p.m just to make sure that the morning, which is my most creative time usually, doesn’t pass by without some concrete outputs.

How often do you take stock of how the day is going?

Yeah, I had a soft job in a university once where wandering about the campus was all part of it. I don’t have any quasi religious hangups about ‘wasting time’ it’s just that there are things which need to get done in order to pay the bills. The Action Log is largely aimed at helping people who are struggling with accounting to themselves for their own time, trying to make headway with promoting services and blogs, maybe earning a living online but might be useful for any writers and scholars too.

Through your habit of skim reading, you imagined me bending the stick too far in the unlikely direction of overefficiency, leaving no space for emergent learning which is far from the case.

Warmly,
Leif

So, yes I am guilty of this kind of wandering, but I do wonder if I’m “wasting time”. I am spending time, using time, passing time. But a human mind is a mysterious thing. I think the wandering promotes wondering and that’s generative.

More later when I fully read your advice on 1st person reflection practices.

-Bill A

p.s. I remember as a kid just lying on my back and watching the clouds. Was I wasting time?