I posted an example of my runsheet a few weeks ago and have had a few requests about how I currently use it.
In my Atoma notebook planner, the runsheet was a rapid logging daily capture of tasks and notes, while I left the weekly pages exclusively for events and appointments. If the task was scheduled for a particular day, I’d write the date to the left of the task bullet. I’d also write notes with the date in the margin, followed by an interpunction (i.e. “•”), and the notes.
Currently, I’m using a bespoke planner that I’ve designed which is basically a weekly layout. My runsheet now is akin to a master task list and I use grid index cards. I don’t write appointments or events or notes here – I leave that to the weekly layout.
I write every single task that I need to get done on my runsheet regardless of when I need to do it. On any given day, I go through my runsheet and allocate up to three specific tasks I can realistically complete that day and write them in the weekly pages. If I think of other tasks that day that I think I can complete, I write that on the weekly pages and not on the runsheet. At the end of the day, I mark off any completed or in progress tasks on my runsheet based on that day’s completed tasks.
At the end of the week, I go through my weekly pages and highlight any incomplete tasks and write these on my runsheet if they’re not already on there. The runsheet then jogs my memory about what tasks I still have to complete in the following week, and the process starts again.
I’ve found that this method has been a good way of re-evaluating what tasks I can realistically complete each week and cuts down on me carrying over or migrating the same tasks each day. If a task doesn’t get completed the day before, I just leave it on that day and try to remember to do it the following day. Because my pages are a week over two pages, it’s easy enough to scan incomplete tasks.
Anyway, I’m still refining some of this process and will share some more changes if/when they arise. What planner hack have you incorporated recently? How has it worked for you so far? What changes are you going to make to simplify or customise it?
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Kaci says
Thank for this simple, yet brilliant idea of a run sheet. I’m going to try this. I tend to use a “list pad” but then I’ll lose the list or throw it away because I have crossed some of the items off. Having a run sheet will definitely be a life saver and that way I can write down 3 doable tasks rather than get overwhelmed by all of the things I need to do! Btw- where do you find your grid lined index cards?
Dee says
Thanks Kaci :) I’d love to see how you go with it, if you wanted to share. I got the grid lined index cards from Daiso. I”m not sure if all their stores will stock them though. Good luck!
Ashely says
I do the same thing, just electronically. I use Wunderlist as a run sheet and then check it to plan out what top 3 task I can get done on any day. I also try to tag things on Wunderlist so I’m doing similar task together.
Dee says
Oh Wunderlist is a good app! How do you manage using both analogue and digital to plan your day?
Mila says
Do you have a runsheet per week? I tend to get overwhelmed when I have too many things and I can’t tell at quick glance what has been checked off already (even though I use the old BuJo signifiers) I find that when there’s too much visual clutter I want to start a new list. This is the main reason I like writing them daily on my BuJo. I have a monthly master list, which I guess might be comparable to this runsheet? But I struggle with the same thing, at some point I just need to start fresh to clearly see what still needs to get done. What is the difference between this runsheet and the monthly task list in the original setup?
Mila says
Oh, I just read your other post about the weekly’s and now it makes so much sense! NM my questions!
Dee says
All good, Mila :) I hope it’s helped you out a bit!
Diane says
Interesting! I decided yesterday that I don’t want to write out my two pages’ worth of things to do every day and my daughter suggested that I slot them into my daily/weekly plan. Same idea except yours is sticking out – which could be more convenient than flipping back to the page.
Sarah says
A runsheet is the idea I’ve been looking for. I tend to have this running list of things that I can’t reasonably accomplish in any specific timeframe. So glad I found this example of it! Thanks…