The Simplest And Easiest To-Do List You Will Ever Find.

[@JimSamuel267]

I use a 3x5 index card for my daily to-do list. The small size keeps me from putting too many times on the list.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Love that idea, Jim.

[@benWKNFSS]

Want to try this out.

[@חנוךעפיפון-ס2ו]

This is exactly what I do to. I even bought a tiny clipboard for it

[@bryanrosenfarb2054]

Love watching you evolve your process over the years. There are no silver bullet apps that work for me forever. For years I have switched between manager/processes/tools. It’s about what helps you focus and be productive in the season of life you are in

[@Carl_Pullein]

You make a good point, there, Bryan.

[@ADSCoachSimonB2112]

I used this from Sunday and in that short time have seen marvellous results. However it would also depend on your role, so I understand it won’t totally vibrate with everyone. I am a Support officer, Life Coach and Counsellor, and as you can immediately imagine I have to hand write a lot of session notes and forms, as mandatory codes of practice, this is attached to cards in Trello and documented, and all that. We also do a lot of research. I do own a iPad, and it’s very useful, requires power and network connectivity at times. I defer mainly to note books , flags, post it notes and highlighters. Thanks

[@Carl_Pullein]

Thank you for sharing that with us.

[@ChristophFreiburger]

I'm celebrating your new hybrid system. I am becoming more and more aware that I often only lead my system, which I have built up and adapted over decades, to an end in itself. If I had used all the time I spent with podcasts, workshops, seminars, lectures, books, and trying out to complete the tasks, I would probably live a different life now. I meant that without any regrets. The struggle for the perfect system costs life-time. Too bad!

[@pageeater]

I cross off my tasks done (daily to do on paper) with highlighter. I love adding color, and still see what I’ve gotten done. Happy to have found you today.❤

[@Carl_Pullein]

That's a great idea! Thank you for sharing.

[@swacsd]

Great video as always. I’ve been on a hybrid system for about 180 days now. I must say I’m really enjoying the analog component. In the evening, sitting down and putting pen to paper is very therapeutic. I’m really enjoying this series you’ve been doing on analog. Thank you!

[@Carl_Pullein]

That's my favourite time too. 🙂

[@groooobytooby1306]

No. I’ve got a much simpler system, much more effective. My wife tells me exactly what I have to do.

[@Carl_Pullein]

@@groooobytooby1306 Hahaha oh yes, that works better - true.

[@AlessandroCapobianco]

If someone years ago told me that I'd be watching a tutorial on how to write a todo list with a pen on paper i wouldn't ever believe him. I need to get some fresh air.

[@Cārvākā80]

Your views perfectly resonate with mine.. old school pen and paper 📝 rocks !

[@JT1358]

Your notebook is EXACTLY how my filofax weekly notes page looks! Goosebumps triggered 😂. There is something internally satisfying about completing a paper list.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hahaha it may have been inspired from my old Filofax 🙂

[@kestorr]

Absolutely stellar for the hybrid productivity system. Not a lot of such topics around. Mostly are either 100% digital or analogue, which neither worked well for me. Hope you could keep going at it through the year.

[@big_cheese2162]

Thank you for this !!

[@Carl_Pullein]

You're very welcome. 🙂

[@ImissSaganCarl]

This is exactly what I've been doing. Great idea for everyone.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Thank you.

[@mrmnfsl]

The productivity KZbinr we all need

[@nightingalesolo2270]

I have used a paper system off and on since the 80s. I'm committed to utilizing all the advantages of digital, but find myself still making tiny paper lists. I think it's a good rule to cross off a task if you are replacing it during the day. After all it's still going to be in Todoist. You don't have to worry about forgetting it entirely. But my main reason for commenting, is that I very much agree that clicking a box in a digital task list gives you less pleasure than drawing a line on paper. Just the few seconds to do that gives your brain those moments to feel that accomplishment, and reset itself to think about the next item.

[@Carl_Pullein]

I think you're right there. That physical drawing of a line to close out the task does help reset you for the next session.

[@SmudgieMusicOfficial]

Thank you Carl! So inspiring!

[@Carl_Pullein]

You're very welcome.

[@ImpulseHobby]

2:47 Why do you show the middle finger?

[@007KrausBean]

Nobody points like that so it felt like a big F You, right?

[@JenniferPanther]

My stepdad always pointed like that. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@AnnetteRubery]

Great video - I tend to use daily checklists in Trello for my personal tasks, but I use pen and paper at work.

[@BobWalsh47hats]

Your on to something here Carl; in this world we have created for ourselves, attention and focus are the keys and we need more tools and techniques to spending our attention on things that matter, not visual spam. Keep up the great work; can't wait for the book!

[@Carl_Pullein]

This all started when I noticed I had my best ideas when I was away from the screen, walking my dog. I thought maybe this would work with pen and paper, too. And it did! I think there's something about stepping away from a screen to do some deeper thinking that is healthier,

[@sergiorodrigues6694]

Great video, as usual. That makes me realize that the more I read and take courses related to digital tools - Notion, Obsidian, and ther likes - the more I stick to the old and good paper/pen process.Thanks!

[@Carl_Pullein]

You're very welcome, Sergio.

[@07vossi]

Great advice! Thanks for that, Carl! Since I`m doing most of my work effectively on a Laptop and quite often on a train (with not much table space left), I`m using one "post-it"-Note for each day to put my tasks on and leave it on the laptop beside the touchpad area (from there I can move it wherever it fits and stays in my view). But generally, I`m as well switching to a hybrid system instead of doing everything on digital devices. I guess it has something to do with how we humans (or homo sapiens) evolved and what our brain was used to for tens/hundreds of thousands of years. Compared with that PCs came around just 5 seconds ago...

[@Carl_Pullein]

I think you're right there. Perhaps our brains evolved to draw (handwriting being a form of drawing) to draw lines in the mud to demonstrate things and paint on cave walls. This might be why so many people are returning to pen and paper.

[@sisleah8452]

I like how you speak. I am hearing challenged and wear hearing aids. Male voices (and women with deep voices) are hard to understand. I will like your videos and follow you!! Oh and I do like your content.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Thank you. 🙂

[@codemaclife]

Pen and paper is my favourite way to capture tasks and thoughts .I use COD / TSS to record into Apple Reminders, Calendar and Obsidian.

[@benWKNFSS]

Such a great video about hybrid productivity again, and again!

[@ElinaTheotokatou]

“Getting your brain to focus “ is the key sentence. I do the opposite, i keep a very simple and minimal bujo journal that never leaves my home office, note down everything and then transfer the day’s important stuff to do to my To Do list app or calendar with a reminder , cause that was the only thing missing from my hand written lists all these years: a sound to remind me to do them 😅

[@EmilehUnk]

If you need a reminder, the task wasn’t important in the first place. 🙃

[@averagemamil4523]

Interesting vid - I got some A7 cards off Etsy I use for the same purpose, using the 1-3-5 method which is working quite well for me, still using Obsidian for notes and MS to-do (because work requirements - and MS to-do is terrible!) - Mark Foster also has a good take on this - the ‘open and closed’ lists. Thanks Carl 👍

[@diana7676]

I read mark Foster’s book , this guy reminds me of him .

[@PinkFlowers365]

thanks so much!

[@Carl_Pullein]

your welcome.

[@janclayton2017]

Similar to Strikethru method. I plan to incorporate a few of your suggestions ]

[@chuckconkling3614]

Great video! All of yours are good but this answered a big question for me. I’ve been wondering about using digital and paper for some time and it’s been a bit frustrating but this is an Ah-ha moment. Thank you!

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hi Chuck, thank you for your comment. I'm very happy to hear you've figured out a way to balance paper and digital tools.

[@ChristophFreiburger]

I'm looking forward to the further development: calendar on paper?

[@sgreeve]

Hi Carl. Loving the simplicity of this but curious to know, have you now replaced the “Today” view in Todoist with your index card? I assume so as surely there’s no value in maintaining both paper and digital views of today’s objectives, focus, etc. Thanks for all of your marvellous content.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Ooh, no, not at all. Todoist is still fantastic for collecting tasks, organising them into when I will do them and take care of reminding me about the smaller things that would likely be forgotten. The handwritten tasks are the important meaningful tasks that moves projects and goals forward. The ones I should be focused on.

[@MiaBlaha]

Crossover we might need: Carl talking with Ryder Carol about Bullet Journaling 🤔

[@barnettwilliams6780]

What brand is the notebook?

[@GanasTengo]

Good afternoon, I've watched some of your videos. It's challenging for me because I'm Spanish, and my English proficiency is limited. However, since you have good pronunciation, and subtitles can be activated on KZbin, I follow along. I have a question that's not a criticism, it's completely sincere. To what extent do you think using these types of systems is making us dumber and more dependent? We make a big list of tasks, have another list of the most important tasks to do today, etc. We depend on a paper. Moreover, when you read about memory improvement systems, they almost say the opposite, that you shouldn't write things down. Instead, you should use techniques and mental methods to remember, for example, the shopping list or a list of tasks you need to do. And I partly agree with that. If we keep jotting down all pending matters, in the end, we become completely dependent on applications, paper, or whatever it may be. If I never make an effort to remember important matters, my mind will become less focused over time. I think the same goes for remembering people's names: if you don't make a conscious mental effort to remember them in some way and only jot them down in your phone, you'll never remember them in the end. Anyway, a question and a reflection at the same time. P.S. Are any of your books or courses translated into Spanish?

[@anneinauckland2318]

That’s a serious writing instrument! So of course had to subscribe 😀

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hahaha thank you.

[@savannahbanks]

Get on with it!

[@skreczmer]

I like crossing things off a pen and paper list!

[@barryporter6993]

I use a Mnemosyne 192 pocket notebook. It has helped greatly with Task Management, journalling, collecting quotes , and goal achievement.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Ooh, I love Mnemosyne notebooks. Currently using Rhodia, but have a stack of Mnemosyne next to me waiting to be used.

[@seanslattery5952]

That in-the-recording-moment math 😂 good video!

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hahaha I never script these videos and find myself sometimes going down avenues that test my mathematical abilities LOL

[@TopProducer-l8o]

How does this method work with time blocking? Should I estimated the amount of time each task should and schedule it in my calendar?

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hi Clifton, time blocking is for the generalities (admin, communications, project work/focus work, etc.) Tasks are specific such as respond to email, complete expense report, finish costs outline for project X) So, writing out your most important tasks onto a piece of paper doesn't really impact time blocking.

[@samueltremblay275]

Love the finger you choose to use to point out your notebook. Would call it: the subtle art of not giving a fuck! 😂

[@Carl_Pullein]

Ah, I'm from the UK. A single finger means nothing to us. Two fingers? That's a different story.

[@mrk131324]

Or you just use the Bullet Journal Daily Log syntax which is pretty much the same thing, just more concise.

[@maryanne2025]

Where did you get your bookcase ?

[@Carl_Pullein]

Oh, that was bought from a local supplier here in Korea.

[@JT1358]

As you cross out your completed tasks, how do you differentiate between completed tasks and something you have taken OFF the list and replaced with something else?? Surely you should use the check-boxes to show completed tasks, and only cross out removed items?

[@Carl_Pullein]

There are only 8 tasks on this list. So, it's unlikely I will forget. However, if that did prove to be a problem, I'd use a different colour or bring out my highlighters.

[@JT1358]

@Carl_Pullein Ooh no 😁. Can't be doing with colour coding and crossing-out with highlighters! Just the way my brain works I guess, but we do what works for us eh? Keep this series going - analogue rules!

[@mikep7744]

Note to Carl, don’t point with your middle finger - 2:48 . . . 😂

[@Carl_Pullein]

Not American. I’m British. We point with our middle finger from time to time.

[@colinmckenzie4859]

1918 was 106 years ago - add “learn maths” to to-do list 😂😂 - sorry couldn’t resist being a smarty pants - but great video

[@brucequinn]

For several weeks, I've been using MOTION which is kind of expensive, but i use it as my storage list, as it stacks out things 5-10 days into the future by due date or priority. However, I don't really use it literally and I can easily use common sense to skip a task, that it places on today, or start today with a task it has put "tomorrow". I often use a note sheet for today (just like this video). MOTION also is a project manager as each of my clients is a folder holding its active tasks, so I can see jobs to do by client in an alternate view.

[@hujack3747]

Hi, Carl, about that part where you talk about removing things from the list when you have new priorities, does it mean we need to cross the previous priority? It occurs to me that using a pencil to do the analogue system sounds better, as you can erase it.

[@Carl_Pullein]

Ah, that's just my way of doing it. I rarely change my priorities in the day anyway, but when it does happen, I cross the task out and add a new one. Some people, I understand, won't like that.

[@marilynpfeifer5214]

Frixion pens are fun…Walmart has pretty ones ….a pen that can be erased…there is a great eraser at the tip of the pen. I absolutely love them! Erase away!

[@bedhead-studio]

What do I do if even the smallest to-do list is overwhelming to me?

[@Carl_Pullein]

Take a piece of paper and write down one thing you must do today. Do not put anything else on that list until you have completed that one thing. If that is overwhelming, don't use to-do lists.

[@diana7676]

Divide every task even smaller.

[@jimmybaker4821]

But why do u use todoist then

[@JimSamuel267]

To catalog all the tasks you have to do on other days. Paper is only for things to do today. You could keep a master list of things to do on paper if you'd like.

[@Carl_Pullein]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYnNp35_bMmUjqssi=ecP-ckfOcvZo5C7B&t=206

[@benWKNFSS]

Digital for recording. Analog for thinking / doing, I guess.

[@Carl_Pullein]

@@benWKNFSS For me, I have come to realise that what works best is analogue for planning and thinking. Digital for final output.

[@theol1044]

106. But probably someone else mentioned this before.

[@mariocd10]

Please consider using the pointer finger when indicating something. lol

[@TheWanderingFire]

Ah, the British nonchalance around pointing at things with the middle finger. 😂😂😂😂

[@Banks1769]

I know, right? I was asking myself, "Why is Carl flipping off his viewers?"

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hehehe, it works the other way, too. Whenever someone shows two fingers, I still flinch LOL

[@bigsucculenta1]

It’s official - we are in the year 2044

[@ronv0076]

Carl great video - i' working like this in the last 25 years , but it will work only to the "OLD" GROUP. NO ONE UNDER 40 WILL USE PAPER NOTEBOOK AND A PEN

[@ogdanem]

I believe that writing important notes in a notebook is not an efficient way of managing tasks. When you start writing in a notebook, you begin to develop a connection to the system, making it necessary to review your notes on a regular basis. If you prefer to work this way, I suggest using a single piece of paper that can be shredded at the end of the day. Personally, as a user of the MS To-Do app, I don’t see the difference between moving important tasks to the Focus section (My day) and writing them down on a piece of paper. But that's just my opinion.

[@007KrausBean]

3 minutes in to be told "Pen and Paper" and Pointing like this (🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼) is low key terrible. Feels like you are telling the audience to F-Off. Normally love the videos, but this one had a feel to it that was not appealing, to me.

[@ccbarr58]

Dude! Quit flipping us off, nasty!!!

[@User-actSpacing]

Try to speak a little bit faster

[@ChristianW.-gv8oo]

Thank you so much! I startet this daily list two weeks ago - with great success! The most important tasks be done and I waste less time 🦸

[@Carl_Pullein]

Happy to be able to help, Christian.

[@louisyurman]

At 2:46, Did Carl just gave everyone the middle finger?

[@Carl_Pullein]

Hahaha unlikely, I’m British and the “middle finger” does not mean anything to us. 😀

[@meeluanistyn1644]

The “reveal” would’ve been more theatrical had you dressed up as a magician, waved your magic wand and conjured up a flash of light and puff of smoke. 🪄 💥 💨 🧙‍♂️ 📒 🖊️