This transformed my work planner.

Sometimes distraction can be good -- I wouldn't have found your video if I hadn't been distracted by YouTube. More seriously, it's a excellent idea and I'm going to use it in the planner I'm using to plan and track progress on my PhD, 'Research' is a great distraction, especially as it's easy to persuade yourself that it's legit and necessary, but writing it down like this will help me pinpoint when it is and when it's (pleasurable) procrastination. Thank you.

I'm definitely using this but retrofitting to fit my life. It could help me track my ADHD symptoms for those times when my brain wants to go squirrel or crazy ferret modes. 🤣 Thank you for such a lovely idea.

This is really similar to something I learned in a faculty writing and productivity program (I'm a university faculty member). They termed it "resistance" that can take many forms (mental blocks, external disruptions or unexpected needs, shifting priorities, etc.) and to identify them without judgement or criticism. Because sometimes those things are perfectly valid, even if they have consequences in your plan. Love seeing how you're utilizing the monthly spread for tracking patterns!

I work in tech too, with Sprints. This is a solid idea! I just spent 2h stopping work on my goals because I found a bug and I needed to document it in a JIRA ticket (you'll know Rachelle!). The whole time I was like OMG this is taking FOREVER but it's critical to our product. But I can use it as an example to clear up WHY I lost time on the goal. So thank you--definately going to use this one!

I cannot get enough of your content - I feel like I have a whole new lens when looking at the same planners and tools that I’ve dismissed or underutilized in the past. Cannot thank you enough!

Dude. This is mind-blowing. Much more feasible and manageable than time-tracking. I am definitely going to start doing this in my work planner. It’s also a much better use for my monthly calendar, which at the moment is used for something redundant.

this is extremely useful, but something i haven't thought of before somehow. a lot of tasks (usually chores) get migrated to next week because uni stuff takes up all my time and i'd love to be more aware of why that happens. i'll definitely be utilizing this way of thinking moving forward! thank you!

Bahahaha Children are totally a giant distraction! Well played! 🤣🤣 Love this method of documenting the thing that grabs my ADHD!

I've actually done this for myself for decades. 🙂 Its weird to see it as a video by someone else . This process works well for keeping accountability, setting work habits, and process improvement. It is invaluable for goal setting and performance review writing (both my own and for my direct reports). Since I'm prone to analysis paralysis when it comes to planners this is just my " Task book". Not due date tracker, planner, to do list, etc. all those terms can be a trigger terms for me. It's also a lot simpler than the following description looks. I've always used a cheap composition book with a hand drawn monthly spread/calendar and subsequent pages for that month that just list tasks (no due dates). For some reason I don't mind scribbling or making error corrections in cheap composition book as much as I do in my actual planner that I carry to meetings. The Task book stays on my desk next to my monitor. It is consulted in the morning and priorities and C3s are transferred to the planner. Throughout the day new tasks are added and progress recorded in the Task book. At the end of the day the planner is reconciled with items in the task book and the process repeats. The monthly page holds the "distractions", set backs and roadblocks for progress and process improvement meetings. The Task book pages just list the tasks, then a status such as; Completed on time (COT), Done (check mark), Carried Over (C/O then 1,2 or 3) and Cancelled/Transferred with a note as to why. Your mileage may vary with your own status codes/symbols. The task due date or project details were kept in an MS Project file so I did not need them in my pages. Carried Over means that I intended to do a task yesterday but carried it over to the next day due to a distraction. So C1 is carried over 1 day, C2 carried over two days etc. If I get to a C3 it's time to explore why, check my distractions, and speak to management to inform them of a potential delay and/ or ask for suggestions BEFORE something goes late. Whatever corrective actions or next step suggestions are determined, they are recorded as part of the C3 task. The corrections/actions themselves become new tasks at the bottom of the list awaiting their own checkmark or ☆. Sometimes I link the tasks with a line or use the same colored highlighter for tracking. When a page becomes full of tasks and a fresh page is needed. All non completed tasks and the last status are copied to the fresh page and the process continues. Statuses are simply listed next to the task until a completed checkmark or ☆ is recorded. No columns or lines unless you choose to. I never number the tasks because carry overs become a tracking nightmare. Just keep things simple. Such as the sample below: Review Document BAC-123 for approval - CO1 distraction, CO2 review complete , CO3 Engaged Manager, Suggested Call and group E-mail all approves for approval ETA include all management., CO 4 Manager suggested actions completed, CO5 Transferred to manager for follow up, My actions COT ☆ Complete training COT , ☆ Cancel Feedback meeting - CO 1 distraction BAC-123, COT2 COT ☆ BAC-123 calls ☆ BAC- 123 group E-mails ☆ BAC-123 At Manager notification process escalated approvals as priority, * Note . If a task is dragging out leave the note "SEE BELOW" OR "MORE" and add a new entry t the end of the list or leave extra space between entries on a fresh page 🙂 Yup - I'm just that insane . 🤣🙃🙄 But apparently so are some of you 👍

Personally, I use my monthly in the Hobonichi to schedule meeetings and track when my projects are completed because I collab with people for work. But this distraction method is a helpful idea because it gives both you and your manager accountability. I don't think managers understand how much "urgent" tasks take away from priority tasks. Whenever I have to do stuff that isn't part of the main project, it makes my week feel chaotic like I got nothing done!

This is a fantastic idea! I don’t know if I have ADHD, but I have been struggling at work lately; pushing off projects and tasks to the next day when "I'll do it later/tomorrow" I opened my work planner right away and wrote in what's been going on. It also helps me to actually use the monthly section of my work planner 😂 I like being able to spot these patterns and stop the procrastination early. Thank you again!

Nice idea. I usually note down achievements of the month. But due to your suggestion I will use it for distractions as well. Because sometimes I am sitting at a Retrospective and I simply cannot remember what the heck happened in the last sprint 😅

I have ADHD so seeing the title gave me a laugh - my default mode it distraction! 😂 But I'm glad I clicked, it can be really easy to answer the question of what distracted me with "everything" but I have noticed, that writing them down, even if it's the same few things for a few days, helps me notice it more in the moment. That said, I never thought to make a space for myself to specifically do that - I just would get frustrated and start journaling about it sometimes. So thank you! I think making sure to do this regularly will help me reign my distraction in a bit better so I can start being less frazzled in my day to day. Also is sparkly a color? cuz 💖 is my favorite lol

I loved your method! I'm a neurodivergent person who often struggles with keeping my plans and I can never know what makes me lose track of my whole life. I truly believe this method will help me keep myself on track and, especially, know what are the triggers that make me lose control. Thank you very much for sharing this amazing content! ♥

Ooo....That's a great idea, notating the distractions! I had my highest number last year, moments that take all, if not most of your day. I hadn't considered tracking them; even though it makes so much sense.

This is the first video I have ever found that talk about work structures that I use and I love you so much for taking the time to speak about it to make me feel less alone

This is a great idea! I like to see patterns in schedule to see if there can be changes made and to also be more mindful of what I'm doing. Personally I'll probably track it on my weekly section. I don't have a monthly calendar in my current line up to spare, but I may do some kind of color code on my monthly to still see it from a monthly perspective.

I love this idea! I NEVER use my monthly spread and there are a lot of distractions at my work. I’ve defined my own priorities for my job, but I always wonder where my time goes. I will definitely be trying this out for the rest of December.

I am really impressed by your distraction method. I know I’ve always liked being accountable to myself, and to my supervisors, and this method is so good. I love how you could refer back to it for biweekly reviews, monthly, and on throughout the year. I am retired now, however there are times when I wonder what day it is… especially if something gets me off track to my regular activities. I am working on setting up my bullet journal right now, I have the voluntary work one done, now wanting to fit in regular activities. I have had a number of things come up that have really impacted my personal scheduling, and caring for family. So thank you for sharing this. I quite like the method you shared. For me it will be for personal accountability, which I really like to do. ❤🎉 👍

I wish I'd learnt this when I was in my distractions filled job. It looks so quick and simple. Thanks for sharing!