I can't follow a to do list ???

[Jonny Two Shoes]

So like many people I am often inundated with different tasks that others rely on me to perform timeously. When this happens I seem to scrape the barrel everytime and just manage to pull through - well most of the time, usually one can't keep everyone happy all the time. The methods I use however always seem to change and this is my problem. I can never find a system I am happy with to remember general things and follow specific schedules and one that constantly reminds me and also is easy and efficient to use.

I find a to do list only really helps me when I am so confused as to what to do next, it sets me on a course. But, short or long or 3-point list or ABC or whatever, as I work through it I fail to keep it updated or it falls apart with continuous priorities coming in a changing the whole order of things and, well to be frank, I get bored to a point of disdain with it as well if that makes sense. So then I revert to my email calendar. Once again I fail to stick with that for the same reasons. Then I use a fancy app or two on my cellphone, but they never quite have the functionality that I am looking for. I also tried writing it down in a diary but I fail to constantly check up on it and scratch things out and plan ahead as it feels so limiting to me. And planning ahead even simple things is very important in my job in order for me to stay on top of things whether it be those constant daily tasks pulling me away from projects or the projects themselves that keep me locked away from my daily tasks.

I am seldom in my office as I often run around the building so it is difficult to sit down and plan anything at my desk, I have to be constantly on the move or working on something. I am particularly forgetful and easily frustrated at simple things made more difficult than it should be, these two traits don't help my cause

So anything you guys can recommend that works for you?

 

[broken1]

If you told me this in an interview, I wouldn't hire you.

 

[undesign]

Yip, battled the same problem. Made To Do lists for everything, then forgot to look at it. Then I remember in the evening, worry about what I didn't do - then set an alarm in my calendar to remind me the next day. Then I keep snoozing the alarm until I dismiss it. Ritalin made it much better.

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

If you told me this in an interview, I wouldn't hire you.

Would you like to know my strong points then? I believe you would be quite impressed. Just because I am not good at multitasking doesn't mean I am useless, perhaps even better at most tasks than you.

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

Would you like to know my strong points then? I believe you would be quite impressed. Just because I am not good at multitasking doesn't mean I am useless, perhaps even better at most tasks than you.

My strongest point:"I haven't looked at kiddie porn for over 3weeks"

 

[Betonro]

I'm using MS OneNote 2007 extensively lately. I've no idea whether it's the best or worse of its kind or even if it's part of the standard Office 2007 package. I just found it on my work laptop and started using it. It's really just a well structured and endlessly extendable notebook. I try to do as much of my work as possible within it (research, scoping, definitions, meeting notes, etc.), to allow myself to make use of the tags. Essentially, you can tag a line, heading, word, cell in a table or anything really as important, to-do, idea, project or anything you want. You can then view all the tags in a consolidated view to make it easy to see things you want to remember.

You can also make quick notes, then later file it as part of a project or personal or whatever you choose. Combined with Dropbox, I am finding it very helpful.

 

[broken1]

perhaps even better at most tasks than you.

Large generalization as you don't know anything about me at all. But as I made one too above; I will let it slide.

The ability to prioritize tasks in a high pressure environment when there is always too much to do and too little time is a quality I seek in people. I did not mean to imply you were useless. Apologies.

But just out of interest, what are your strengths?

In response to the OP...If you can't remember everything that needs to be done, go tech but keep it simple. Outlook Tasks. Use the headings only, not the note section. Use the due date, but not the reminders. Book out 15 minutes of your time to prioritize and cleanup every morning, looking at it once, max twice a day. You set what you want to get through for the day, and get through it. No point spending double the amount of time playing with a task list then you actually spend working.

 

[Budza]

Outlook has the tasks area under the calendar. Every request that comes in that I can't get to in the next 15min gets flagged. When I scrounge some time, I whack that list. Nice red colour for overdue items

I'm using MS OneNote 2007 extensively lately. I've no idea whether it's the best or worse of its kind or even if it's part of the standard Office 2007 package. I just found it on my work laptop and started using it. It's really just a well structured and endlessly extendable notebook. I try to do as much of my work as possible within it (research, scoping, definitions, meeting notes, etc.), to allow myself to make use of the tags. Essentially, you can tag a line, heading, word, cell in a table or anything really as important, to-do, idea, project or anything you want. You can then view all the tags in a consolidated view to make it easy to see things you want to remember.

You can also make quick notes, then later file it as part of a project or personal or whatever you choose. Combined with Dropbox, I am finding it very helpful.

Onenote is awesome! Gone are the days of multiple word docs/notepads open at the same time. Tabbed browsing for work in progress = genius.

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

My strongest point:"I haven't looked at kiddie porn for over 3weeks"

Haha

In all seriousness though I am one PC Support Guy with no local assistance supporting 250 onsite and offsite remote PC's in a corporate (read lots of red tape in everything I do) environment with poor anti-virus software and at present I am involved in a major company integration and rollout coupled with various smaller rollout projects as well as being involved with a sideline team of representatives for continuous improvement which by the way is an audit requirement, plus being a key local support for implementing and maintaining a new training and development remote based application. All the while I have major renovations and moving happening at the head office where I have to move equipment around all the time, and not to mention all the daily calls that come in to no end. I am also in charge of processing and purchasing of consumables (primarily) and PC equipment (though this not primarily) for the company.

Hmmmm.....perhaps it's not me lol but anyway I am still giving it benefit of the doubt and saying perhaps it is. Because management is aware of the situation and treats it as normal

It's just difficult when one rep phones me with a virus problem and half my day is screwed :/ with all that is going on I need to stay on top of things all the time. And my 25 days of leave or so ain't gonna happen.

Corporate policy dictates no overtime pay is possible yet I stick around till 7pm or take work home anyway.

Oh and not one PC has admin rights, IT admins will know how much work it is to keep everything up to date.

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

Outlook has the tasks area under the calendar. Every request that comes in that I can't get to in the next 15min gets flagged. When I scrounge some time, I whack that list. Nice red colour for overdue items




Onenote is awesome! Gone are the days of multiple word docs/notepads open at the same time. Tabbed browsing for work in progress = genius.

We don't use outlook we have the other rubbish lol

Will look at Onenote thanks

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

We don't use outlook we have the other rubbish lol

Will look at Onenote thanks

What's the other rubbish?

 

[broken1]

What's the other rubbish?

Lotus Notes.

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

Large generalization as you don't know anything about me at all. But as I made one too above; I will let it slide.

The ability to prioritize tasks in a high pressure environment when there is always too much to do and too little time is a quality I seek in people. I did not mean to imply you were useless. Apologies.

But just out of interest, what are your strengths?

In response to the OP...If you can't remember everything that needs to be done, go tech but keep it simple. Outlook Tasks. Use the headings only, not the note section. Use the due date, but not the reminders. Book out 15 minutes of your time to prioritize and cleanup every morning, looking at it once, max twice a day. You set what you want to get through for the day, and get through it. No point spending double the amount of time playing with a task list then you actually spend working.

Thank you, no worries and likewise.

Hmmm that I can think of right now I have been recognised for pioneering and setting examples for corporate values (got the certificate ). None to shy to approach any task and have an extremely helpful nature with all my colleagues and company as a whole, probably much to my detriment actually. I have been told I come across as very mature and direct with management and generally keep good working relations with everyone. I am reliable to the extent that you know I will do what you ask so long as it is in writing! unfortunately don't ever ask me to do something while passing in the hallway . I am a logical problem solver and very good at researching in my field of work. Also extremely humble and polite and therefore very approachable and able to control conflict very easily, in fact that previous post of mine to you is unlike me.

My qualifications are a degree in marketing and management and I am one exam short of an MCITP Enterprise Admin. My experience is four years in the corporate IT environment being involved in many different projects along the way.

Sorry a bit rushed but you get the basics of it do I pass? Even just a 51%? feels like a short interview You could say given my qualities I am not suited to the support environment perhaps :/

Thanks for suggestion though!

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

Lotus Notes.

HAHA yep

 

[HavocXphere]

I can relate.

Sounds like you're plain swamped. Perhaps you need to split things more carefully between important tasks vs urgent tasks.

Will look at Onenote thanks

Yeah its pretty cool. Word of warning though: It fcks up the formatting and alignment every now & again so don't bother with the fancy features, go plaint text.

 

[Natasha H]

If you are as good at all these other things (besides multi tasking) then you should be quite valuable and it should be easy to justify hiring you a secretary..

 

[supersunbird]

Haha

In all seriousness though I am one PC Support Guy with no local assistance supporting 250 onsite and offsite remote PC's in a corporate (read lots of red tape in everything I do) environment with poor anti-virus software and at present I am involved in a major company integration and rollout coupled with various smaller rollout projects as well as being involved with a sideline team of representatives for continuous improvement which by the way is an audit requirement, plus being a key local support for implementing and maintaining a new training and development remote based application. All the while I have major renovations and moving happening at the head office where I have to move equipment around all the time, and not to mention all the daily calls that come in to no end. I am also in charge of processing and purchasing of consumables (primarily) and PC equipment (though this not primarily) for the company.

Hmmmm.....perhaps it's not me lol but anyway I am still giving it benefit of the doubt and saying perhaps it is. Because management is aware of the situation and treats it as normal

It's just difficult when one rep phones me with a virus problem and half my day is screwed :/ with all that is going on I need to stay on top of things all the time. And my 25 days of leave or so ain't gonna happen.

Corporate policy dictates no overtime pay is possible yet I stick around till 7pm or take work home anyway.

Oh and not one PC has admin rights, IT admins will know how much work it is to keep everything up to date.

Sounds like you need two junior engineers to assist you by doing the small stuff (install apps/move pc's/small troubleshooting)...