In my inbox this morning was an email from Mark Forster with the details of his latest time management system, called Final Version (because it is the last one he is developing). I’ve been a fan of Mark’s since reading his first book Get Everything Done and still have time to play and I am currently using the SuperFocus system.
I like Mark’s focus on simplicity, and how you can use different aspects at different times. For example I frequently use rotations (from Get everything done) when I have several urgent tasks to complete and daily initiative (from Do it tomorrow) when I need to focus on a big task such as preparing my house to sell. The new system is again simple and should be adaptable to paper or digital (I’m starting with paper).
If you would like to read about the system, sign up to Mark’s newsletter and he will email them out once a day to new subscribers. I will report back on my progress after I’ve tried it out for a week or so.
Hi there, we’re really liking the new Final Version approach. We liked it so much we built http://www.blanclist.com/ we think it’s a pretty decent base implementation, I’d love to know what you think!
~Steve
Steve,
Thank you for letting me know. So far I’ve tried paper and Evernote and I’ll give blanclist a go and let you know.
Hello,
We have developed an iPhone app called ‘Accomplist’. This is a task manager to help implementation of FinalVersion , GTD and other task management techniques.
Accomplist is more than just a to-do list, it’s your accomplice to help you get through your task list faster.
We would be delighted if you could take a look at the app and review it. If you can, do let us know, we shall provide you with a promo code.
Do check out our Introductory Video at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAuqTZCeFJo&hd=1
Also, you can view our app in the App Store at : http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accomplist/id530169066?mt=8
– Saba
Saba,
Thank you for the offer. I would be very interested in testing out your app, but I’m afraid I have an Android phone and don’t have access to an iPhone to even borrow one for a while. Maybe some other Final Version users will be interested it trying it out for you.
Most of the productivity systems, though intended honestly, fails in execution. The system should ideally play to strength of the user and complement his/ her weakness.
For me, planning was my strength, while engaging and execution was the problem. It doesn’t mean I don’t do things. But I find my resistance growing while I move from my ‘planning’ phase to ‘execution’ phase.
I found Mark Forster’s Final Version – Task Management System (an upgraded version of Autofocus System) to be a resilient of such vagaries and helps me win over my particular issue with execution.
It is intuitive. I found that the FV system using the ‘Colley’s rule’ and ‘Structured Procrastination’ technique gives me the choice in doing what I would want to do in a structured and systematic way. There is form of control that I am having over what I am doing. In fact, I am not just doing anything or crossing items off my list, but I am choosing to do things that I feel like or wanting to do using a structured systematic process.
I have created a flowchart/ visual note of the FV system here: http://sathyawrites.com/fv-system-visual-notes/
Thank you for your comment Sathya, it is interesting to hear your thoughts about Final Version very interesting, and notes on the system. I like the fresh approach Mark Forster brings to productivity. I’m thinking of rereading his books this year. Have you read any of them?