Application for Recognition of Productive Planning
The productivity system was designed over the weekend. It took four hours. It will save approximately three hours per week, starting next week.
To the committee on productivity systems,
I am writing to request formal recognition of the system I have developed over the past four hours, which I believe represents a significant step toward addressing the backlog of tasks that have accumulated over the past six weeks.
The System
The system consists of the following components:
- A weekly review template, completed on Sundays, to survey the previous week and plan the next.
- A daily priorities section, listing no more than three items, to maintain focus and avoid overcommitment.
- A project tracking section, organized by area of responsibility, to provide a complete picture at all times.
- A someday-maybe list, for items that are not current priorities but should not be forgotten.
- A color coding convention distinguishing urgent, important, and routine items.
The development of this system took four hours. I believe it is now comprehensive.
The Current Backlog
The backlog that prompted the development of the system remains unchanged. Seven tasks have been outstanding for more than two weeks. Three have deadlines that passed while the system was being designed. All seven are now captured in the system, correctly categorized.
The task that was most urgent when the system was conceived is currently in the someday-maybe list because it required a decision about priority that the system was not yet ready to make when it was added. It will be reviewed during Sunday's weekly review.
The Request
I am requesting that this application serve as the weekly review for this week, given the time investment in system development, and that next week be treated as the first full week of operation.
The system is ready. The tasks are documented. Progress will begin next Monday, when conditions are optimal for a clean start.
I look forward to reporting back on outcomes in one week.