let's get personal
to do: write a bunch of lists
I had this idea while writing up this release list for the video series I want to finish: what if I use this blog as a productivity tool, a place for all sorts of lists and their task logs. Not just release lists, which are meant to focus on and help finalize and release and share a piece of work. What if I use a blog post as a project planning tool, a list from the beginning (or wherever I am in the process). And then track in that blog post, the task log of when things are getting done. Like a fancy project planning/tracking tool, only without fancy features like kanban boards and dependency tracking.
I've tried using various project management apps, and they generally last a week or two after the initial excitement of planning out how to use them. But simple af task lists have gotten me through countless projects and tasks. Sometimes I use pen and paper, and sometimes I've had success with super basic apps like Google Keep or Microsoft To Do. I don't typically keep a task log tracking when I completed something, nor do I typically keep notes about the work; but doing that as part of the release list posts added a level of accountability, as well as time for reflection that I think is really helpful.
Here are some lists I'm thinking to start with:
- Impulse Bye MVP on Google Play
- Impulse Bye MVP Worklog video series
- Weekly Civics Study Group - solo season
- November Calendar Collage workshop
A few notes about what's appropriate for a list and what's not:
- I only plan on sharing personal work, nothing for clients or gigs
- It must be finishable, so if it's something that is part of an ongoing project (for example, Impulse Bye will require upkeep and maintenance even after publishing), the list must be a subsect of work that has a clear end. (Releasing MVP of Impulse Bye is a finishable list, and then after that, a maintenance task list could be something like: Update X feature.)
- Ideally, the list can be completed within 12 weeks. Even more ideally, 8 weeks. I fear longer than that will result in loss of momentum and eventually, abandonment. But also, who knows? Maybe this technique will be the exact approach needed for me to develop project perseverance. Note: the date of publishing the list does not need to be the start date. I can plan something out and put it on hold.
productivity = personal?
If you're asking how are productivity lists personal, they're not inherently, but sharing them and the timeline at which they're being completed? That feels really, really personal. Sharing what gets done when and how = pulling back the curtain and showing the woman in an oversized hoodie typing away during hours she should be sleeping. It's the behind the scenes, which are inherently personal and messy and potentially awkward. I don't know if it'll be valuable for other people to see (maybe?), but I have a feeling it will be really valuable for me to see and also do. I'm working on being less judgemental towards myself (and others also), and something about tracking progress in this way makes it easier to lean more towards being neutral and away from being pessimistic. It's kinda like I'm writing a report where I have to share only the facts and can't embellish with judgement.
the first list
So, I really want to work on making those lists I named above + updating the site with a list page or something, but I have other work I need to prioritize today. So, I'm gonna kick this off with a list for doing this work: listify the blog
- Written: 26 Oct, 2025
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- Last updated: 3Â months, 3Â weeks ago
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