Introducing The Organize IT Trigger List

April 16th 2008   Tech   10 comments

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

Related Posts Introducing The Trigger List Tools, eBooks And Printable Templates Using Trigger Lists To Improve Your Life Subscribe by email to get the latest posts:

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