![]() If the task is on my calendar, I've actually carved out the time to do it. ![]() This isn't a new system-it's called time blocking-but it's super effective. Of course, my "events" aren't real events (the IRS isn't showing up at my door to collect my estimated taxes on that very day), but the urgency is still there. ![]() I can't skip my sister-in-law's wedding and go to it later-if I miss it, that's that. It's psychologically a lot easier to put off a task than an event. It also makes things that are seasonal-like cleaning the gutters-feel more urgent. That shift in focus makes me more likely to stick to the date (which is important when I'm trying to keep my dog healthy or pay the government what I owe them). With a calendar, it's the opposite: you choose the date, then add the task. In a task list, the due date or reminder is secondary: you create the task, then add the date. I'm guessing there's some psychological or economic phenomenon that explains this ( commitment device comes to mind), but here's why putting some tasks on my calendar works for me. Why a calendar is better for specific tasks They have to get done on a specific date, and there's something about using a calendar that makes me more likely to do them. Things like "Dog flea meds" and "Pay estimated taxes"-those go on the calendar. Sure, I should get my kid a bedframe so their mattress isn't on the floor until they're a teenager, but does it really matter how soon I do it? I've had "Buy kid bedframe" on my to-do list for way too long now. And, if I'm being honest, it's mostly for tasks that won't have too many repercussions if they don't get done. I do have a personal to-do list (in Google Tasks), but it's for things I need to do soon.
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