New Work Process

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><br />I am a bit fetishistic about work process. This is entirely an attitude which seeks to embrace a manner of working rather than driving myself crazy being overly concerned with the results. I found that this is a sustainable method of doing good work as it keeps me focused on the next task rather than some ambiguous result which in a complex work environment may or may not be completely under my control.<br /><br />I have tried many different systems and applications to control this focus. My latest that I have chosen to adopt is completely provided by the GNOME project and is available in the Ubuntu Software Center. <br /><br />First off, I like lists. I like lists that have lots of tasks. I like lists that have lots of tasks that can have sublists of tasks and tags that will identify the various different aspects which the task covers. I like being able to set start and due dates for all these tasks. I like to make lists for simple projects and complex projects. I think I found some serious software that covers all these likes in <i>Getting Things GNOME</i>. (developer website: <a href='http://gtg.fritalk.com/)'>http://gtg.fritalk.com/)</a> <br /><br />Another piece of software, and this is a new step for me, is one that tracks time usage. I have realized a need to track how much time I spend with various tasks in my list, or that are not on my list. For now, I am not seeking to change the way I spend my time, just to begin tracking it. After a significant period of observation, I can hopefully begin to make adjustments in my patterns. So I turn once again to the Ubuntu Software Center and download <i>Hamster</i> and <i>Time Tracker</i> (Article about these <a href='http://gnomejournal.org/article/73/tracking-your-time-with-project-hamster'>http://gnomejournal.org/article/73/tracking-your-time-with-project-hamster</a> ). These work together to track the activities which I am working on. For instance, I am tracking the amount of time it takes to write this blog post. A really incredible feature that this software combination has is that it hooks into the Getting Things GNOME application and can track items off my list! Score!<br /><br />One more thing about GTG, I am super happy that there is a plugin which allows me to link a Tomboy note with the task. This puts my notes all in a searchable database, while letting them be useful in another context. <br /><br />I am pleased with this system, so far. I usually am pleased with a new system in the beginning. So the true test is how well does this change sink into my behavior over time? Will it last? Will I find a new way to do things? Stay tuned and find out!</div>