Jim's Cafe - Wednesday - July 8, 2026 - things

[Angie]

Hello SF family, I hope this finds you as well as can be.

Today's topic: Getting Things Done

We all have things to do, whether it is the daily grind of self care (which can be problematic when depressed) or achieving a five year goal. I am one of those people with lots of time and hardly ever get anything done! I recognize this is a problem, and I want to address that. I've revisited some videos on Time Management and Using Systems to be Successful. Check out Ali Abdaal on Youtube. The guy is a human success machine so I take it all with a grain of salt lol

So:

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)
How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)
What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?

 

[Angie]

@Lane @Baywasp @Lisa the Ferrociraptor @FFurry @JMG @cymbele @Ineluki @charlietgirl @DarkNightshade

just a few, remember, everyone is invited!

 

[DarkNightshade]

It largely depends on whether I'm depressed or not. Each of these questions (for me) have a different answer depending on my mood. So, I'll distinguish the two:

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)

Normal mood
I usually don't need any strategy to get things done, because I naturally do what needs to be done asap. However, two things come to mind. When this is a routine tasks (e.g., sweep the floor, groceries), I try to do it consistently the same day(s) at the same time. That way, it becomes automatic. When this is an unpleasant task (car repair, looking for a job), it's less easy but I usually tell myself "well, this is like swallowing something nasty; it's really unpleasant, but once it's done, it's done."

Depressed mood
This is obviously very hard. Usually, routines go out the window. I must admit have no real system per se to face this.

How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)

Normal mood
Similar to above for short term tasks/goals. For long term goals or big decisions (e.g., moving, changing job), I take time to write things down and break down what I need to do. Then it's just again a matter of routine, as stated previously.

Depressed mood
I can forget long term goals here. For daily/weekly tasks, there's a simple mindset. When I need to do something, I reduce it to a very small task. For example, vacuuming seems impossible considering the whole apartment. Well, just do your bedroom. That's it. Or: well, just sweep the floor instead, if that's easier for you. Same goes for exercising, if I have the energy to do it. Well, do some push-ups, and if you get tired and can't anymore, stop. There is two benefit for me to think that way: 1. I actually accomplish something and 2. I feel better about going as far as I could in the task at hand.

What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?

This is just a summary of what I said above:
- Break down large tasks or long term goals into smaller bits.
- Create routines, but do not create all routines at once.
- When depressed, actually begin the task (broken down before if necessary), and don't blame yourself for stopping early: you actually put the energy into it and you should be proud of yourself.
- Get professional help. My therapist suggested many of the things I mentioned and taught me about behavioral activation and learned helplessness.
- Be gentle with yourself. It's okay not to be okay, and it's not your fault if you struggle. For instance, personally my brain is very slowed down when I'm down in the dump. I can't think. But blaming myself about this won't solve it, because I just can't magically tell my brain to speed up.
- I also would say that you don't have to become a machine. Like, everyone struggle with life, at various level. Modern societies can be freakishly complex when you think about it. If you can't be a mastermind of goals and tasks (spoiler: you really can't), that's okay too.

That's pretty long. Sorry, I don't have a tl;dr to provide.

 

[Angie]

@DarkNightshade oohh some good things to learn from this. Thanks for the links also!

 

[DarkNightshade]

@Angie You're welcome!

 

[Lane]

@AvidFan @LumberJack @seabird @MrCellophane @TragicReality @cev77 @1964dodge @Auri

 

[Lane]

My systems to get thing does is a routine, getting out of bed used to be a biggie for me. For years and evennow I follow a system called FlyLady. Not sure if its ok to put the link here but you can Google if you like. One main idea is you can get anything done in 15 minutes, set a timer. When I've been severely depressed I'd set it for 5 minutes at a time and tackle the most unappealing task first to get ot out of the way.

I also get up early on Saturday to make a pot of soup for my lunch for the week. I try to shop on Thursdays after work so I have all my ingredients ready. I change cats box and feed snake Friday morning. I write down places Im going on the calendar.

I try to make sure I have down time to read, watch tv, maybe do a puzzle or draw when so inclined.

To get things done, I think about the alternative, stuff piling up and basically being too depressed to do anything and I dont want to go there again. Crazy but I think of my mother as a role model and how a lady with a 6th grade education worked hard at keeping the house in order and giving it her all despite life's hardships. She's a role model to me.

As for advice, I would say to maybe check out FlyLady, she gives inspiration as well. Self talk, like little pep talks to accomplish things may help. And, rewarding yourself when you commit time to whatever youre working on. You can even set a timer for this to stretch, do a word puzzle, take a walk, etc. Not sure if this is helpful but I wish you the best in what you'd like to accomplish.

Ill tag more after work, my book is at home

 

[puffymilk]

Thanks for opening up the cafe This is a great topic, but I'm afraid I cannot contribute much as it really depends on my mental conditions for me to get things done. When I'm depressed, pretty much I can't function. I would basically neglect everything. "Rot in bed" as they say. But when I'm feeling great, my brain works like a well-oiled machine, and it does give me some satisfaction and happiness when I get things done. That's why I'm just trying my best to maintaining my mental health, even though sometimes it can be really hard

 

[Angie]

My systems to get thing does is a routine, getting out of bed used to be a biggie for me. For years and evennow I follow a system called FlyLady. Not sure if its ok to put the link here but you can Google if you like. One main idea is you can get anything done in 15 minutes, set a timer. When I've been severely depressed I'd set it for 5 minutes at a time and tackle the most unappealing task first to get ot out of the way.

I also get up early on Saturday to make a pot of soup for my lunch for the week. I try to shop on Thursdays after work so I have all my ingredients ready. I change cats box and feed snake Friday morning. I write down places Im going on the calendar.

I try to make sure I have down time to read, watch tv, maybe do a puzzle or draw when so inclined.

To get things done, I think about the alternative, stuff piling up and basically being too depressed to do anything and I dont want to go there again. Crazy but I think of my mother as a role model and how a lady with a 6th grade education worked hard at keeping the house in order and giving it her all despite life's hardships. She's a role model to me.

As for advice, I would say to maybe check out FlyLady, she gives inspiration as well. Self talk, like little pep talks to accomplish things may help. And, rewarding yourself when you commit time to whatever youre working on. You can even set a timer for this to stretch, do a word puzzle, take a walk, etc. Not sure if this is helpful but I wish you the best in what you'd like to accomplish.

Ill tag more after work, my book is at home

oohh FlyLady! I think that is where I picked up the set a timer for 15 minutes trick. It really works.

 

[MrCellophane]

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)
i used to use lists a lot. right now i am so low energy its hard to do anything anyway. but i find lists help a lot because i can struggle to remember a list of multiple things to do or multiple steps to a task

How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)
i have had a tough time with that right now and the past six months or so especially. the only things i can do at all regualarly is go to the bathroom and eat, and even then i am waiting til the very last moment to do it. self care, homework, reaching out to friends i take way too long to do. i get it done eventually though.

What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?
im not sure. it would depend on what it is thats hard for them about it i guess. if they struggle to rmemeber what needs to be done then maybe they could set phone remeinders or put sticky notes around. if its someone like me whos feeling depressed and bad and cant get out of bed then i dont know beause im struggling with that now too and i dont know how to fix it.

thank you for tagging me, Lane.

 

[Angie]

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)
i used to use lists a lot. right now i am so low energy its hard to do anything anyway. but i find lists help a lot because i can struggle to remember a list of multiple things to do or multiple steps to a task

How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)
i have had a tough time with that right now and the past six months or so especially. the only things i can do at all regualarly is go to the bathroom and eat, and even then i am waiting til the very last moment to do it. self care, homework, reaching out to friends i take way too long to do. i get it done eventually though.

What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?
im not sure. it would depend on what it is thats hard for them about it i guess. if they struggle to rmemeber what needs to be done then maybe they could set phone remeinders or put sticky notes around. if its someone like me whos feeling depressed and bad and cant get out of bed then i dont know beause im struggling with that now too and i dont know how to fix it.

thank you for tagging me, Lane.

Sticky notes are a great idea!

 

[seabird]

Thank you @Angie for opening a café. For the tag, and good advice thank you @Lane.

I use lists.
I have a kind of 'master list to rule them all', so I remember to make the sub-list which has actions to be completed.
They are broken down to small, or tiny steps depending on how I feel.
When I have a large complicated goal, like moving house or travelling, that will have it's own list and sub-lists.
When it comes to my process creating artwork, that livesin its own kind of territory, and has its own vocabulary, so it's not necessary to go into here.

When I'm awake and not distressed, I make these on paper with a pen. That's because I'm a person who enjoys that kind of media, but it'd work with notes on a computer &/or phone as well. Just depends on what helps one's brain pays attention. . I'm an artist and have supplies for my work which I feel carries a nice energy making lists. I digress.

For what it's worth.
There is a little mental key which helps me get stuff started and it's this: I feel ––––––––––– (insert emotions) and doing –––––––––– (insert task) will not fix how I feel, so I may as well go ahead and feel this way while I am doing something. Why not try. I know I'll feel slightly less bad after it's completed.

I hope you are all doing alright. I've been in and out of stuck in depression for quite a while, so for those in depression at the moment, I hope you get un-stuck and begin to heal.

 

[Angie]

Thank you @seabird for that mental key, that is a great way to get things done.

I will remember that one!

 

[KM76710]

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)

I am old enough and pretty old fashioned type so yes to the calendars and to do list. Both here and at work I have the typical house calendar with everything of importance marked and noted per day of whatever task.

How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)

Lazy me that I am I so often stick to the old saying of don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow. I can give lazy lessons to cats.

What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?

That would be the tough one especially with how folks are different in outlook.

 

[Lisa the Ferrociraptor]

Hey all
Thanks to @Angie for opening the cafe and for tagging me.

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)

How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)

What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?

Honestly, my answer to all three of these questions is the same.
I honestly have no idea.
For some of us, the simple fact that we continue to do things at all is amazing.
We endure hell, and we keep on kicking, and that's amazing.
And i think society tells us we're meant to do this and that to justify existing on this plane of reality.
But it's total bollocks.
Be happy, embrace your own innate value, and if you have space left from that to try and become a more functional person, work from there.
Anyone who tries to tell you you're meant to put the cart before the horse on that particular matter doesn't know what you fight through just to survive. Sod what they say and just be proud of yourself for all you accomplished already.

 

[Gard]

Hello SF family, I hope this finds you as well as can be.

Today's topic: Getting Things Done

We all have things to do, whether it is the daily grind of self care (which can be problematic when depressed) or achieving a five year goal. I am one of those people with lots of time and hardly ever get anything done! I recognize this is a problem, and I want to address that. I've revisited some videos on Time Management and Using Systems to be Successful. Check out Ali Abdaal on Youtube. The guy is a human success machine so I take it all with a grain of salt lol

So:

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)
How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)
What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?

1. Calendar, planning, reminders, to-do lists, notes in a text file.
2. Digital reminders, paper sticky notes. I even created my own Google Sheet that sends me a to-do list via email every morning before I wake up. And every evening, I check off what I’ve done. I also keep a history of my completed tasks, and according to the stats, I see that I complete an average of 5–7 tasks per day. That’s not bad. On especially productive days, I complete 10–15 tasks.
3. If something isn’t working out, try something else until you get exactly what you want.

P.S. The mistake in the thread title made me think this was an old thread.

 

[FFurry]

Thanks @Angie !
What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.) Write brief to-do lists in my journal, daily, just before sleep.
How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?) Condition "rewards" on accomplishing tasks -- e.g., buy ice cream only if I got things done at the gym.
What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done? The above, I guess🤔🤨😃👆

 

[JMG]

Great cafe & topic Angie, thanks for posting it & tagging me. Sorry for getting here about 4 days late lol.

What systems do you use to get things done? (calendars, to do lists, etc.)
I mostly use to do lists, sticky notes and a whiteboard.

How do you get yourself to do things on a regular basis? (stick to your goals?)
Sometimes I'm more successful with this than other times, but making the lists usually makes the chances higher that I will do the things. I try to tell myself if I don't do the things I took the time to write out the list for then the list was a waste of time. I do NOT like wasting time so that will usually make me do the stuff on the list.

What would you recommend to someone struggling with Getting Things Done?
Not sure I'm the best person to be making any recommendations since I often struggle with that myself lol. But something that does usually help motivation at least a bit is making sure to celebrate and feel proud of whatever you do manage to get done. Also, to definitely not get too overly focused/caught up on "everything" that you want to get done.

 

[seabird]

3. If something isn’t working out, try something else until you get exactly what you want.

I want to work on this. Thanks for includuing it Gard. Though, getting exactly what I want might need to be defined less narrowly.

 

[Gard]

I want to work on this. Thanks for includuing it Gard. Though, getting exactly what I want might need to be defined less narrowly.

You're welcome, seabird. Good luck on your journey.