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[Nathan Hale]

I've been really inspired by Patrick Rhone's example of a "today" card for your most important tasks. I've started doing something similar in my Mokeskine cahier, and it's really given me direction and motivation to get off my rear and get some stuff done.

Right now I'm using a modified version of his dash/plus notation, with my tasks organized by context. Right below my tasks I sketch out my agenda for the day...so I get a built-in daily review plus nice day-at-a-glance page.

Of course, I'd love to hear what kind of tools and layouts you use for your "Today" lists (they don't have to be lo-fi...I love this, for example) but I'd also like to know what process you go through for deciding and prioritizing your most important tasks for that day, and how you integrate this list with the rest of your productivity system.

[MarinaMartin]

I also use a Today card, but mine is a lot more intricate

I keep a template in Pages (the Mac equivalent of Word) and each Sunday, during my weekly review, I print seven cards (one for each day of the upcoming week).

This card has blank check boxes/spaces for time-sensitive tasks (i.e. meetings) and 10 MITs for each day. During my weekly review I look at my calendar and fill out the time-sensitive tasks, and each evening I choose 10 Next Actions and put them on the next day's card. I don't have a firm formula but I try to pick a variety of tasks, not all for one project.

If there are any large tasks with firm due dates (rare for me), I chunk it down and work backwards from the due date, so I know exactly how much needs to be accomplished each day to achieve the goal on time. I can also make on-the-spot decisions to put off chunks until tomorrow, knowing how that will affect the big picture, or quantify working ahead. (Lots of people work ahead enough for one day's worth of work and assume it was a week's worth of work, then get behind.)

If I have a Big Goal (like "Speak German fluently") that has a dedicated spot on my card so I make sure I accomplish at least one Next Action towards the goal each day.

[Jason Echols]

I use a To-Do template you can find at DIYPlanner.com.  It is not very complicated.  And I know that in GTD...a to-do last is a no-no.  However, this is a great way to keep my day in perspective and not allow myself to get overwhelmed.

[Nathan Hale]

I also use a Today card, but mine is a lot more intricate

Seems like a well thought out system! I especially like the idea of keeping those larger goals in mind.

I use a To-Do template you can find at DIYPlanner.com.  It is not very complicated.  And I know that in GTD...a to-do last is a no-no.  However, this is a great way to keep my day in perspective and not allow myself to get overwhelmed.

I'm in that boat. If I don't pick MITs, then I *will* get overwhelmed and I won't be very productive at all. Perspective is key for me as well.

[Stephen Smith]

My own "Today" list has finally been born. I have been struggling with a too-long list for a while now and I have finally adopted the methods that you all describe above. I have been at it for two hours today and my list is half done!
It felt so good to go to sleep last night knowing that I has "assigned" myself some tasks and I am excited about checking things off.

Thanks for the inspiration!