Time Management for the Paper-Bound

Launched today for the general public is a new time management system by UK time management guru Mark Forster.  It’s called AutoFocusTM — and I think it may have deep appeal especially to writers.  It’s simple, straight-forward, easy to do — and all you need is a spiral notebook.

The system works rather the same way old-fashioned writers work:  written lists and lots of jumping from task to task.  At least that’s the way my writer’s mind works.

The system is fully described at Forster’s blog.  I suspect that a community will coalesce around this blog to discuss and refine the system, share insights and such.  Forester gathered a private group to do a test run of the system.  Here’s the report from one of them:

Here is what I have found so far, in my first week of using AF. 1) It’s so easy to use that I don’t have to worry about being too invested. I didn’t have to buy software or change any major habits. 2) I’m feeling much more “laid back” about my work as I’m doing it. Perhaps it’s because I’m not forcing myself to do things, and I’m allowing myself to do things partially and then come back to them later. 3) I know what to put on the list and what I need to do when I look at it; it is making me trust myself more. And no, I don’t have a million undone projects lying about. 4) When I do my other, scheduled, non-AF work, I am also more “laid back” because I am not worrying as much about all the stuff I have to do – somehow I know that, yes, I do have a crushing number of tasks waiting for me, but once I turn my attention to them, they will be dealt with in an efficient and intuitive manner. 5) I’m no longer watching the clock all the time. I was in the habit of using my kitchen timer a lot and this week I haven’t needed it. I enjoyed using the timer but I must confess that I feel FREE now; work doesn’t feel as much like “Work” and I’m in a flow state more of the time. And oh, did I mention that I have gotten a huge amount done and unsnagged some very important projects these past few days? Thanks very much, Mark!

POST SCRIPT:  Forster’s blog also led me to a remarkable list of 100 websites about productivity and organization.  Some of you may wish to bookmark this one.

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    Comment by
    Mark Forster
    10 Feb 2009

    Thanks for the review of my system, Tom. There is a long thread about writer's experiences with the Autofocus system on the Forum at my website:
    http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/643258

    Comment by
    tomcolvin
    10 Feb 2009

    Mark, thanks for pointing me onward to your forum. I'm still just getting
    acquainted with your site and all of your activities. I'm fascinated!

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