Most people who use a task management app or system separate their Areas of Focus (or Areas of Responsibility), so that when they’re working, they only see their list of work-related tasks, and when they’re not working, they see tasks or errands related to their personal life.
Many people use just two top-level categories—work and personal. Others break down their responsibilities into narrower categories.
I have 3 businesses and separate my tasks according to which business they belong to. I have a fourth category for personal matters. This works well for me but I’m always looking for different methods, especially since there is a lot of overlap between the things I do.
The other day, I watched a video by someone who separates her tasks not by job or business or other area of her life, but by the activities she performs.
To illustrate, using her activity-based approach, a practicing lawyer might categorize his or her responsibilities into these 7 areas:
- CREATE (blog posts, newsletters articles, podcasts, videos, social media posts, books, ads, presentations, etc.)
- CONNECT (interviews, networking, joint ventures, social media)
- LEARN (marketing, CLE, productivity, personal development, writing, etc.)
- MAINTAIN (admin, risk management, IT, client relations, bill paying, investing, etc.)
- ROUTINES (planning, processing, calendaring, training; personal routines and chores–exercise, meditation, journaling, self-care, shopping, etc.
- LEISURE/SPIRITUAL (rest, fun, family, miscellaneous interests, charitable, etc.)
- WORK (cases, client work)
This got me thinking. I’m not yet committed to changing my top-level Areas, but I am looking at using tags or labels to identify my different activities and responsibilities so I remember to schedule and do them.
I thought I’d pass this along to you in case you’d like to do the same.
