Create this recurring task in TickTick to ensure you review your exploration backlog regularly.
Task name: Monthly backlog review
List: Personal (or Work – Personal if you prefer)
Due date: 1st of every month at 9am (adjust to your preference)
Repeat: Monthly (from due date)
Reminder: On due date
Priority: Medium
Copy this into the task description field:
Review exploration backlog document
Link: [paste your Google Doc or Gist link here]
Monthly checklist:
□ Scan Tools to Try - anything urgent?
□ Scan Courses to Take - ready to start any?
□ Scan Content Ideas - ready to write?
□ Scan Project Ideas - time to scope/start?
□ Scan Reading List - allocate reading time?
□ Move actionable items to TickTick Work lists with dates
□ Delete stale/irrelevant items
□ Update "Last reviewed" date in backlog doc
Time needed: 10 minutes
- Do this first thing on the 1st - don't let it slide
- Set aside 10 minutes - it's quick if you're decisive
- Be ruthless with deletion - most things won't get done
- Move only 2-3 items max - don't overcommit
- Update the document immediately - don't leave it for later
If monthly feels too infrequent, adjust to:
Due date: Every Sunday at 11am Repeat: Weekly Time needed: 5 minutes (quicker scan)
Weekly is better if:
- You're in a fast-moving phase of your business
- You have many active client projects
- Your ideas/opportunities change frequently
Monthly is better if:
- Your work is relatively stable
- You prefer less administrative overhead
- You trust yourself to capture urgent items as they arise