As promised on Monday when I wrote my seven point guide to clearing your head, I have written an extensive trigger list to help in the process of getting everything off your mind. It is intended to be as definitive as possible and can hopefully serve as a replacement for the trigger list in the GTD book (I have used that as the basis and expended greatly on it). My intention is to publish a PDF of this list for easy printing and reference this Friday in time for the weekly recap. However, I want to make sure I have added as many trigger words as possible (and organized existing ones properly), so the next stage is over to you. If you can think of any words I may have missed please suggest them in the comments!
For those who are not clear on what a trigger list is, you use it as a tool to “trigger” thoughts and ideas in your head, which you then write down. At this stage you do not attempt to process or prioritize these thoughts, just make sure you write everything down. Imagine it as though you are downloading every open loop in your memory, so that your head is totally clear and can focus properly.
UPDATE: The PDF of the trigger list can now be viewed here. However, I will continue to update the list so keep leaving those comments with all your ideas!
Projects
- Ongoing
- To start
- To finish
- To acknowledge as complete
- To clarify/process
- Define next actions
- In notepad
- In calendar
- In journal
- In planner
- On to-do lists
- On post-it notes
- On scraps of paper
- From inbox
- From meetings
Commitments/responsibilities
- Boss/managers
- Partners
- Colleagues
- Subordinates
- Other people in workplace/organization
- Customers
- Other organizations
- Professionals
- Lawyer/solicitor
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Accountant
- Spouse
- Children
- Pets
- Family
- Friends
- Neighborhood
- Borrowed items to return
- Sold items to deliver
- Payments to make
- Debts to pay
- Deadlines to meet
Communications to make/get
- To make
- To get
- Waiting on…
- Phone calls
- Conversations
- Voice mails
- Text messages
- Pages
- Faxes
- Memos
- Letters
- Emails
- Cards
- RSVPs
- Social networks
- Forums
- Chatrooms
- Instant messaging
Upcoming events
- To consider
- To confirm
- To cancel
- To plan
- To get directions
- Meetings
- Special occasions
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Weddings
- Graduations
- Holidays
- Travel
- Weekend trips
- Vacations
- Bank/national holidays
- Social events
- Cultural events
- Sporting events
- Local events
- Dinners
- Training/seminars/workshops
Administration
- Bills to pay
- Forms to fill in
- Banking
- Investments
- Loans
- Taxes
- Filing
- Insurance
- Legal affairs
- Personnel
- Policies/procedures
- Medical
- Home/household
- Sorting
- Organizing
Waiting for…
- Communications
- Orders
- Repairs
- Loaned items
- Data/information
- Deliveries
- Delegated tasks
- Tickets
- Decisions of others
- Proposals
- Information
- Reimbursements
- References
- Subscriptions
Repairs/upgrades/replacements
- To repair
- To upgrade
- To replace
- Computer software
- Computer upgrades
- Downloads
- Printers
- Routers/modems
- Appliances
- Electronic equipment
- Entertainment equipment
- Office equipment
- Communications equipment
- TV
- Stereo
- Consoles
- Tools
- Home/household
Community
- Neighborhood
- Schools
- Colleges
- Universities
- Parties
- Civic engagement
- Local government
- Local interests/issues
- Local events
Errands
- Hardware store
- Pharmacy
- Grocery store
- Bank
- Market/mall
- Post office
- Laundrette
- Office supplies
- Fueling station
Home/workplace
- Home/household
- Office/workplace
- Landlords
- Plumbing
- Electricity
- Roofing
- Landscape
- Gardening
- Driveway
- Walls/floors/ceilings
- Lightbulbs/wiring
- Heating/air conditioning
- Decorating
- Furniture
- Utilities
- Appliances
- Supplies
- Utensils
- Decluttering
- Cleaning
- Maintenance
- Repairs/upgrades/replacements
Transport
- Car
- Truck/van
- Bike/motorcycle
- Vehicle insurance/tax
- Vehicle financing
- Commuting
- Fueling
- Cleaning
- Maintenance
- Repairs/upgrades/replacements
Professional/personal development
- Training/seminars/workshops
- Topics to learn
- Skills to practice
- Read/watch/listen
- Research
- Resume
- Health/exercise
- Recreation
- Hobbies
- Diet
- Habits
- Counseling
- Relaxation/leisure
- Creative expression
- Formal education
Planning/organizing
- Goals
- Targets
- Objectives
- Projects
- Next actions
- Business plans
- Marketing
- Initiatives
- Upcoming events
- Meetings
- Presentations
- Security
- Organizational structuring
- Travel
- Transport
- Installations of systems/equipment
- Teaching
- Subscriptions
- Career planning
- Mission statement
- Education
Read/watch/listen
- To read
- To watch
- To listen to
- To write
- To publish
- To record
- Books
- Magazines/newspapers
- Flyers
- Documents
- Websites
- Publications
- Subscriptions
- Memos
- Emails
- Reviews
- Adverts
- Letters
- Drafts
- Reports
- Evaluations
- Proposals
- Promotional material
- Manuals/instructions
- Rewrites/edits
- Hobbies
- TV
- Videos/DVDs
- Radio
- Music
- CDs/tapes
- Games
- Applications
Wardrobe
- Professional/work
- Casual
- Leisure
- Formal
- Hobbies
- Sports
- Underwear
- Accessories
- Luggage/storage
- Clothes that don’t fit
- Clothes to donate
- Clothes out of fashion/season
- Clothes to clean/iron
April 16, 2008 at 06:29PM
For me personally, events upcoming is really about separating it into two categories – events to consider and events RSVP’d. That way, I can grab the wedding invite directions or theater tickets and not go through a mass of other invites (ultimately distracting).
As for wardrobe, I’d consider three categories – clothes that don’t fit (need alterations), out of season, and stuff to be donated.
April 16, 2008 at 06:30PM
Wow, awesome list. Looking forward to using it in my next weekly review.
April 17, 2008 at 03:38PM
Great list! One category I would include in my trigger list is appointments to make. It would include things like doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, haircut, oil change, car repairs, home repairs, etc. Those things come up regularly but the time is not always right to call and schedule them immediately so they do linger around in my head.
July 30, 2008 at 06:16AM
Impressive trigger list. This is absolutely worth bookmarking. Nicely designed site overall.
August 3, 2008 at 08:34AM
Thanks Michael, hope you find it useful.
September 10, 2008 at 05:02PM
Crikey! No wonder we’re all stressed out all of the time if we have to carry all this stuff around in our heads, or rather we attempt to. I doubt you’ve missed anything, thanks very much.