Be the Project Manager of your own life

Be the Project Manager of your own lifeAuthor: Syed Imranhttp://in.linkedin.com/in/syedimran1Is this the story of your life?Everyday problemsIf the answer is yes, please proceed; else, you can close this window 1. Keep a pocket notepad (and pen!)Yes, the same old one without any batteries If a task is important for you, write it down on your notepad.Fill from the front for Personal tasks and fill from the back for Professional tasksFor more details on the above, click herePersonal tasks: Front of notepad

Professional tasks: Back of notepad

If you do not believe in emailYou can run just with the paper notepadPut an ETC (Expected Time for Completion) on each task (Personal / Professional)Review your notepad each day: Add new entry / entriesSTRIKE OUT a task when you complete itThat notepad in your hand is proof for yourself that you actually did, what you set out to.Challenges in using only a paper notepadYou may misplace itIt may get washed out in the laundry Task priority cannot be reviewed and adjusted on a regular basisCompleted / ongoing / pending tasks will create visual noise for you on the notepadOnce ETC (Expected Time for Completion) for a task is set, automatic reminder will not come to youA suggested optionIf you dont already have one, create a Gmail ID for yourselfAlong with your Gmail ID, you will get a truck load of services; one of them is Google TasksWatch the video at the above link to know more about Google TasksMultiple lists are possible in Google Tasks. Some suggested Personal lists:FamilyFinanceHealth relatedHome AppliancesPropertiesScans to doTax relatedTo doVehiclesPersonal List: FamilyFor each member of your family, create a task with the name of the personSit with each family member individually and discuss their expectation/s from youFor each point you agree on, add a sub-task under that family members nameFix an ETC for each sub-taskCheck the sub-task when doneClick on Clear completed tasksNever Check the parent task on this list (at least as long as the family member is alive)Personal list: FinanceBanksBank 1Get Annual statementBank 2Check status of refundAny other sub-taskUpload Employment pay-slips to Google DriveInvestmentBasket 1Basket 2

Personal list: Health relatedFor each member of your family, create a task with the persons nameAdd one sub-task per diagnostic check / Medical consultation / Medical procedure that he/she has to undergo nextAdd ETC for each sub-taskSampleLMS (Initials of family member)Ortho reviewCataract reviewDentistPersonal list: Home appliancesFor Clothes Washing machine, Refrigerator, Kitchen Hob / ChimneyFor each appliance, create a taskETC: Next service date (entered on the date of last servicing)Personal lists: PropertyDo you own property?: then manage it hereCreate one task per city namePay council tax, set ETC on date of last paymentAny repair / maintenance tasksIf leased out / rented out, ETC is date of receiving paymentDo you aspire to own property?: Jot down your aspirations hereSampleCity 1Pay council taxRepair/MaintenanceGet house painted once in 3 yearsReplace door handle for kitchen cabinetRentalCollect rent from Tentant 1 on 5th of the monthCreate rent receipt and upload to self Google DriveCity 2Aspire to buy a small holiday home

Personal List: Scans to doScan important documents and upload to your Google DriveKeep originals in a plastic folder at a safe placeFor taking copies, never take out the originals from the safe place; but download the required documents from Google Drive whenever needed

SampleScan Passport and upload to Google DriveScan Drivers license and upload to Google DriveScan Dental Report and upload to Google Drive(Keep appropriate sub-folders on Google Drive)Note on privacyToday, nothing comes for freeToday, we have the illusion of privacy; but we dont have itUse your own judgement on what kind of documents you upload to Google DrivePersonal List: Tax relatedMeeting with Tax consultant (fix ETC)Individual filing of Tax statement (fix ETC)One sub-task per family memberUpload related documents to suitable folder on Google DrivePersonal list: To doCity 1Driving classes for family member XItems to purchase at hardware storeOne sub-task per item (mention size, type, quantity)Grocery listOne sub-task per itemCity 2Business meeting with VendorCity 2Vacation

Personal list: VehiclesVehicle 1Ad-hoc Repair / maintenanceVehicle 2Ad-hoc Repair / maintenance

For regularly repeating tasks like Scheduled Servicing, create the repeating event on https://www.google.com/calendar

In summary: Personal Lists

Professional lists suggestedKeep your business email ID SEPARATE from your personal email idSuggested listsPeriodic contact with old customers (reference)Planned activity on LinkedIn Professional NetworkMarketing Strategy (company internal)Sales leads with progress (company internal)Finance (Banking related)My ContractorsProduct/s DevelopmentTax relatedOngoing Project 1Ongoing Project 2So, if I use Google Tasks, should I throw away the notepad?NO! Keep your notepad and pen with you always.An idea / inspiration / task can come to your mind anywhere, anytime.As soon as you get it, jot it down on your notepad (Personal / Professional)Later, at leisure, you can move the task/s over from Notepad to Google Tasks (appropriate list)Keyboard shortcuts in Google TasksPriorityControl + Up arrow: increase priorityControl + Down arrow: decrease prioritySub-tasksTab: Move task rightShift + Tab: Move task leftFor help reference on Google Tasks in Gmail, click hereThe execution leg: MobileYou jotted down the tasks that you want to do on your trusty paper pocket notepadYou found the time to transfer that task/s to Google tasks when you had access to your desktop / laptopNow is the time to Execute your tasks (instead of being burdened with trying to recollect what tasks are pending, and when)Android mobile, appIf you dont already have one, then get an Android mobileLogin to that mobile with your Gmail IDInstall this free Android app Tasks Free(If you do not wish to see ads, then buy the paid version)All your lists, tasks, sub-tasks (with ETC) will get synced with your mobileContd.On the Android app Tasks Free, you can also set the time when you should be reminded to perform a particular task.On the scheduled date and time, your android phone will receive a notification with all the due tasksYou canDo the task and check the check box ORDismiss All (review ETC later)Snooze All (remind me after 30 minutes)Sample screenshots

Contd.You can set the revised ETC for a task from the mobile app itselfThis will get synced with Google Tasks on GmailNote to iOS mobile usersGoTaskshttps://itunes.apple.com/in/app/gotasks-google-tasks-client/id389113399?mt=8gTaskshttps://itunes.apple.com/in/app/gtasks-tasks-manager-for-google/id428249408?mt=8

Self analysisReview this graphic once moreDo not throw away your notepad/sHow much of your time are you devoting to personal tasks and how much to professional tasks?Do you find that they are balanced?If not, are you interested in balancing it out?Plan for it Quotable quotesBuild your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. - Farrah Gray"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James DeanThank you for your timeLinkedIn: http://in.linkedin.com/in/syedimran1Voice mailbox: +1 650 453 8054