Task lists are broken. Tasks within a task lists are just that. Tasks.

But tasks need to be associated with time. Without allocating time to specific tasks within a list, the list will accumulate more tasks. One way people deal with the accumulating task list is by removing tasks. Another way is by ignoring your task list. Neither gets shit done.

I threw out task lists many years ago when I saw mine grow and grow. I stopped the delusional 'gee, im important, i have so many tasks to do' mindset and started Getting Things Done by putting tasks into a calender.

More specifically Google Calendar. It syncs with my mobile, works with any PC that has a browser, integrates nicely into services such as tungle.me, hooks into other public calendars and allows me to invite others to see my calendar status.

I live in my calendar. If an alarm goes off and says I need to start task X, I start X. Having the discipline to follow your calendar alarms and triggers is not hard. The discipline lies in scheduling your tasks within your calendar appropriately to be able foresee any time allocation or location issues. For example I would not schedule a technical conf over skype whilst I'm trying to get some non-tech time in walking my dog. A calendaring system clearly points this out. A list of tasks does not.

When asked if I could do something for someone I immediately reply back with "Let me check my calendar" from which I can tell whether I have the bandwidth or not to take on the task. A sincere polite response of "My calendar has me booked in from Tuesday to Thursday. I can slot this task in at 11am Friday morning. Hows that sound?" is always received well.

a screenshot of my calendar in its day view