Technology vs. Paper for Your Task List

I use a combo of online and paper: Trello and a comp book day planner.  They actually complement each other very well!  I just posted about it today :)  http://angelab.me/how-to-make-a-day-planner-from-a-composition-book/

I am a paper-task-lister, too! I found that since I type so often, I am more likely to remember something if I actually write it down. Although I've used nearly every task management app or software out there, it's not the same. 

I use both paper (Post-Its FTW!) and digital. I've found that digital works great for collaboration. My team has moved to agile project management and we use www.trello.com to create tasks that any one of us can be assigned to and remove. What I like about Trello is that it still has that physical "cross off" feel - you archive tasks as they've been accomplished and slowly watch the lists get smaller. If you are a manager, I HIGHLY recommend managing your team in this way - if you have any questions about agile for marketers, let me know!

@scrappy_face @spinsucks Totally old school, I use paper!

I like the digital to do list complete with action items that I can print and use as a reference. I have found that the "action items" list can be rather long and overwhelming so I create my short list on paper. I think that writing it down helps me remember it as well. I have tried a few "list" apps. I haven't been thrilled yet. If they had a tighter integration with the iPhone and Outlook, I would be more apt to use them.

I love trying out new technology, including all the task list apps.  I actually have moved away from the pen and paper task list.  However, for a quick note I do find it faster to just find a pencil and paper to make a note.  That's probably why it's hard to move completely to a techie solution.  Siri helps a lot though and I'm slowly, but surely getting used to speaking my reminders.

How old school am I?

1. Outlook - schedule, tasks and email

2. A hard cover book - conversations, doodles, notes and tasks (go through1 per quarter)

3. Blackberry - ideas + connection (linked to Outlook)

Efficient for me but I have been operating like this forever. Kind of in between the paper and the digital. Never lose anything though.

I like sticky notes for top items but I also keep all my to-do is in our project management system. I like receiving notifications and reminders... But, talking about dropbox etc, I just don't get how people manage their tasks via Evernote. And how do people manage all these different "boxes"? It's been driving me nuts and I just found a synching tool and I brought Evernote, Dropbox and Google docs (and Basecamp files) all in one place: http://ldig.it/MQdIwU. I think it's the same with the notepad, sometimes you just have to keep it simple...

I also prefer paper, but I've been forcing myself to use Producteev. It's a great free app for both Droid and iOs... http://www.producteev.com/

Thank you Gini, I tried many different systems, but to see the difference in task management systems need to try and test the free version. In many known systems working together have free versions, for example on http://www.teamwox.com is implemented well. Or you can search for other systems.

Several years ago I began using BusyCal (iCal on steroids) for my calendar. I can wirelessly sync specific calendars with various team members or keep some to myself. About a year ago they came out with a companion program, BusyToDo. It works I sync with BusyCal. Oh and they wirelessly sync to my iPad and iPhone. I love it and can imagine going back to paper. Of course, there are still a few Post-it's on my desk too. Their website: http://www.busymac.com/index.html

I'm with Allen because I LOVE physically crossing an item off my to-do list (it's freeing, I can't explain it unless you know the feeling!). But, I also live and die by my work/Gmail calendars, email reminders, Google Reader and Evernote.

I use my physical planner/calendar to jot down my very tactical work I need to remember throughout the day, as well as things that pop into my head that I need to immediately write down before I forget them. 

Oh my word. My favorite topic: my to do list and how best to wrangle it! I think the key, whether it's paper or technology, or a hybrid of both, is to stop adding so many things to the darn list!!! Easy peasy. I am only half joking, you know that, right? If only I would heed that advice, I'd be I'm really fine shape, or very bored...I can't decide. Truth be told, I use a combination of my mental noggin (dangerous), my moleskins (plural, one for each client account), Evernote (useful for subcontractor messages and lists), and most recently, Basecamp. I have to say, my brain is fairly good at keeping track of pressing matters, although I have forgotten topick up the dog from his daycare a time or two. My Moleskins are just awesome for notes, capturing client meetings, etc. Basecamp? My new favorite tool. I can schedule my staff, myself, keep projects front and center, and stay tuned in. The trick has been to get into the habit of checking it and scheduling everything. I'm definitely getting better, but I also realize there is no perfect science here ...other than my first solution of less tasks on the list. :)

A bazillion years ago, I read my first (um...and maybe last) time management self-help book. I think it was called If You Don't Have Time to Do it Right, When WIll You Have Time to do It Over? Or something like that. All I really remember is that it is where I learned the concept of the Master List. One piece of paper (thank you very much) with all the to dos. Not just work related, but all the things to which you must allocate time, no matter how messy the sheet and how many notes are in the margin...just one go-to list. I still keep one. I also keep a nifty spreadsheet of work projects, deadlines and progress in the event someone actually wants to see some tangible evidence that I have priorities. Because my master list isn't pretty...it's a perfect reflection of my life. In one spot. Yay. And when I've celebrated checking off and adding to until the page is bursting, I start a neat new list, transferring those items I still haven't checked off to the top. And, although I tried a moleskin to keep my list under wraps and more current looking, the legal pad is the format to which I return. I think of it as my launch pad.

I have worked on this issue personally for years.  I have been implementing and reimplementing GTD for over 10 years.  I used OmniFocus in the past but I can't work with my team with it.  I have heard of people that rewrite their todo list manually each day.  This gives you a way to review it all the time.  I have found that I need to be electronic or I end up keeping multiple lists in multiple place.  At that point I have no idea which list is current.  I now use Asana.  Price = free on all devices and works with up to 30 people.  It is also designed for GTD which I like.   It really comes down to what works for you.  

You're wrong and let me tell you why... Just kidding you know this isn't really a matter of what's right and wrong. Just what's right for Gini, right for Allen and right for my addled brain. You need less support. Paper's enough. Paper drives me mad. I love it for the short term (especially David's ETP), but I can't have things I don't need to do staring me in the face. It's just a well of distraction. OmniFocus gives me the ability to have that go away until I need it to show up. While I'm sure there's a way to do that with paper (Hello David Allen's 43 folders), tech is my tool of choice. It also lets me create tasks that link to relevant materials. Need to respond to an email, OF links to it. Need to research something on a site, I can add that to the notes (I can even create tasks from Instapaper). Need to act on something in OmniFocus, I hacked a way to get those in.

When I joke that you're wrong or crazy (not certain you aren't... hell you tolerate me :) ) it's more the amazement of how you do what you do, the way that you do it. It's envy.

Oh GIni, I do love my check lists on paper. I've tried so many techy things to help me, but the only things that get done are the ones on paper!! Thanks for this post!

I am with you Gini on this one. I have a smart phone to manage things but when are smart phones really smart? And what if they run out of battery. 

Somehow I have always found my peace with a paper. It makes things more sorted out and the satisfaction when I strike out a task done is plain awesome! :) And on paper you can never chose "remind me later"! Its like they are all staring at you.... serious!

GoTasks & Evernote = paperless workflow. And the best part is it's free. I can sync all my todo lists and notes from meetings between my ipad, iphone and desktop.

I was about to drop the 79.99 for OmniFocus but this free setup works great.