3. More To Do Than Can Ever Be Listed

What is one of the earliest examples of a list?

The Bible’s Genesis, which lists the six steps of God creating the world.

What did Benjamin Franklin use lists for?

To build good habits and organise his actions.

What problem did Benjamin Franklin discover with having too many lists?

Tasks could conflict with each other, causing stress and failure.

What is an example of a conflict caused by Franklin’s lists?

Skipping time with friends in order to complete work tasks.

What is the Zeigarnik effect?

The tendency for the brain to focus on unfinished tasks more than completed ones.

How can the Zeigarnik effect be reduced?

Writing down a specific next step for unfinished tasks.

Why do written next steps help with the Zeigarnik effect?

They reduce mental clutter by giving the brain a plan.

Who created the Getting Things Done method?

David Allen.

What is David Allen’s main idea in Getting Things Done?

Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Who was Benjamin Franklin?

An inventor, Founding Father of the United States, and later an abolitionist.

When did Benjamin Franklin live?

1706–1790.

What is the Eisenhower Method?

A system that organises tasks by importance and urgency.

What are the four categories in the Eisenhower Method?

Important and urgent, important and not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important.

Which tasks should be completed first in the Eisenhower Method?

Important and urgent tasks.

Which tasks should be completed second in the Eisenhower Method?

Important but not urgent tasks.

Which tasks should be completed third in the Eisenhower Method?

Urgent but not important tasks.

Which tasks should be avoided or removed in the Eisenhower Method?

Tasks that are neither important nor urgent.

What is the 1-2-3 method?

A prioritisation method that divides tasks into 1 major priority, 2 essential tasks, and 3 smaller maintenance tasks.

Why is the 1-2-3 method useful?

It prevents people from feeling overwhelmed.

What are variations of the 1-2-3 method?

Methods like 1-3-5.

What is the Ivy Lee method?

A method where you list six important tasks for the next day in order of priority.

How does the Ivy Lee method work?

Complete the first task before moving to the next one.

What happens to unfinished Ivy Lee tasks?

They are moved to the next day.

What does the Ivy Lee method prioritise?

The order tasks need to be completed, usually based on urgency.

What is the 4-D method?

A task management method that categorises tasks into Do, Defer, Delegate, and Delete.

What does “Do” mean in the 4-D method?

Handle the task immediately.

What does “Defer” mean in the 4-D method?

Postpone the task until later.

What does “Delegate” mean in the 4-D method?

Give the task to someone else.

What does “Delete” mean in the 4-D method?

Remove unnecessary tasks completely.

What is the Eat That Frog method?

A productivity method where you complete your most difficult task first.

Why is it called “Eat That Frog”?

It comes from the idea that if you do the hardest thing first, everything else feels easier.

How can you prepare for Eat That Frog?

Plan and prepare for the difficult task the night before.

What is the Must-Do method?

A method where you identify tasks that must be completed before doing less important tasks.

How is Must-Do similar to the Eisenhower Method?

Both focus on prioritising important tasks.

What is a Bullet Journal?

A system where users organise monthly goals, daily tasks, notes, and events.

How does a Bullet Journal handle unfinished tasks?

Important unfinished tasks are moved forward to future lists.

What happens to completed Bullet Journal tasks?

They are crossed out.

Why can Bullet Journaling become complex?

It includes many detailed systems beyond simple task lists.

What is the Zeigarnik effect named after?

Bluma Zeigarnik.

When was the Zeigarnik effect discovered?

1927.

How did Bluma Zeigarnik study unfinished tasks?

She interrupted participants during tasks and tested their memory of unfinished tasks.

What does the Zeigarnik effect show?

People remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones.

How can unfinished tasks negatively affect people?

They create mental stress and cognitive burden.

How can the Zeigarnik effect affect self-perception?

It can contribute to negative self-image and feelings like imposter syndrome.

How can unfinished tasks affect relationships?

People may repeatedly replay mistakes, causing suspicion or hostility.

What is a “Done List”?

A list that records completed tasks instead of unfinished ones.

Why do people use Done Lists?

To focus on achievements rather than feeling behind.

What is “productivity debt”?

The feeling that you owe unfinished tasks and need to catch up.

What does the Done List challenge?

The belief that people constantly need to complete tasks to justify their existence.

How does a Done List affect stress?

It can increase positivity and reduce stress by highlighting accomplishments.

Who is Umberto Eco?

An Italian writer and scholar who studied lists in Western culture.

What book by Umberto Eco discusses lists?

Infinity of Lists.

What historical list does Eco discuss from Homer’s Iliad?

The list of Greek soldiers who went to Troy.

What are the two types of lists according to Umberto Eco?

Vague, unlimited lists and complete, closed lists.

What example does Eco give of a vague list?

The list of military forces in the Iliad.

What example does Eco give of a complete list?

The shield of Achilles made by Hephaestus, containing the entire cosmos.

Which type of list does Eco prefer?

The vague, open-ended type.

Why does Eco prefer vague lists?

They suggest endless possibilities and cannot be fully completed.

How much of Infinity of Lists was actually written by Eco?

About 70 pages out of 400 pages.

What is the rest of Infinity of Lists made of?

An anthology of textual and visual lists.

What problem does the article identify with lists?

Some lists can exclude people or ideas.

What two categories does Eco divide lists into?

Practical lists and poetic lists.

What are practical lists?

Lists used for everyday purposes.

What are poetic lists?

Lists that create imagination and represent endless possibilities.

Who wrote the Iliad?

Homer.

What war is the Iliad based on?

The Trojan War.

What other famous work is attributed to Homer?

The Odyssey.