Keeping track of commitments.
WHY A SYSTEM IS NECESSARY
Memory is unreliable, and holding commitments in your head consumes attention.
WHAT A SYSTEM MUST DO
Capture everything Be reviewed regularly Be trusted
WHY TRUST MATTERS MOST
An unreliable system is not consulted, and everything returns to memory.
WHAT TO CAPTURE
Every commitment, as it arises.
WHY IMMEDIATELY
It is forgotten otherwise, and remembering consumes attention.
WHAT TO RECORD
The action, in concrete terms.
WHY CONCRETE
Vague items are not started.
WHAT EXAMPLES SHOW
Not: the supplier issue
But: call the supplier about the delivery shortfall
WHAT TO SEPARATE
Things to do Things waiting on someone else Things to consider later Reference material
WHY THE WAITING LIST
Commitments others owe you are forgotten and never chased.
WHAT TO REVIEW
The whole system, regularly.
HOW OFTEN
Weekly, at minimum.
WHAT THAT REVIEW SHOULD COVER
What is complete What is no longer relevant What is waiting and needs chasing What must happen next week
WHY REGULAR REVIEW MATTERS
Without it the list becomes an unread accumulation.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT ITEMS THAT PERSIST
Do them, delegate them, schedule them, or remove them.
WHY REMOVING IS LEGITIMATE
Some items are never going to be done and they should not be carried.
WHAT TOOL TO USE
Whatever you will actually maintain.
WHY
An adequate system used beats a better one abandoned.
