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    Mark Forster is the author of three books about time management and personal organisation. The most recent, Do It Tomorrow, was published by Hodder in 2006.

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    Discussion Forum > Tasks that do not need to be done this week, but later...?

    Hi Mark and All,

    Okay -- here is another question relative to the task diary and new tasks. Let's say that I realize that I need to prepare lecture materials for a 2-hour lecture that will take place two weeks from now. Do I put this task on the default for tomorrow's list? I do not need this done this week, so why should it go on tomorrow's list? This gets back to my original question about assigning future tasks on days other than tomorrow. Why would one not simply put this on the diary say two days before it is due? There -- on the schedule and at a time when I can address it -- but not for tomorrow!

    Just some thoughts...what does everyone think?

    -David
    March 10, 2008 at 15:33 | Unregistered CommenterDavid Drake
    Because:

    1) If you start preparing the lecture now, your brain will start engaging with the material and you will end up with a better lecture. This is the effect known as "maturation",

    2) If you leave preparing the lecture until a couple of days before, you will get all sorts of unexpected calls on your time in those two days (precisely what you have been complaining about in other posts) and will have to do the lecture preparation in a rush.
    March 10, 2008 at 15:39 | Registered CommenterMark Forster
    Hi Mark,

    Ouch! Nothing like getting to the point. Very good...I must admit sometimes I do not listen to myself as I rant on. Okay -- your advice is excellent as usual. Thanks!

    -David
    March 10, 2008 at 15:47 | Unregistered CommenterDavid Drake
    March 10, 2008 at 16:21 | Registered CommenterMark Forster