Many steps

[sasha_feather]

One of the reasons it can be hard to Get Things Done is because we don't always realize how many steps are involved in a task. For instance, on my to-do list for a while has been: get photos framed for art show.

This is what the task really breaks down to:

1. Contact art show person (done by email)
2. Select photos (done)
3. Print photos at Walgreens (done)
3.5 Ask neighbor how he gets his photos framed (done)
4. Go to craft store and get frames with wiring on back (done yesterday)
5. Carry frames in from car (I haaate carrying things in from the car)
6. Frame photos
7. Contact art show person again to see where/when to drop them off, inquire about how to price them, etc.
8. Transport them (carefully) to the library for the show.

Today I broke one of the 4 frames while it was in the car, so I will either simply submit 3 photos instead of 4 (easier), or I will go back to the craft store for another frame. While running errands yesterday I also apparently left a different package at a store because I was hungry/tired. I am undecided about whether to go back for it-- it was just some postcards.

I don't really remember what things were like before I was disabled by illness, but I know things weren't this hard to accomplish. It's good to have several days off in a row right now.

Comments

[jesse_the_k]

Oh! Tiring list is tiring.

Ughhhh.

Re bring it in from car: multiple trips r better than loaded like camel.

[sasha_feather]

I think the real reason I hate carrying things in from the car is that it involves 3 doors, one of which auto-locks when it shuts. So it's opening and closing all those doors, and then doing it again, and again.

[jesse_the_k]

I can hear a solution that sounds a lot like the automatic pin-setter at bowling lanes, but I'm too tired to visualize it :(

[viklikesfic]

SO TRUE.

In my case it's mental health things rather than illness, but I really really feel you on this. I've been trying really hard to be gentle with myself and break everything in my productivity app into tiny little tasks (instead of e-mail 5 people about a project, have five sub-tasks that are each person so I can check off one at a time) but it's hard sometimes to stop brain from saying "no no but that's just one simple little thing!"

*hugs*

[sasha_feather]

Exactly! Some of my friends advise putting really easy things on your to-do list (literally or mentally) so you get to check those off also.