This portfolio section highlights productivity forms that are UNUSUAL and EXPERIMENTAL. These are not showcased on the official Productivity Tools Page, so it’s nice to have a place to talk about them here!
Index Card 3-Up for The Concrete Goals Tracker
The standard form for The Concrete Goals Tracker (CGT) is designed for regular sheets, but what if you wanted to have a version to-go?
This version is designed for AVERY 5388 perforated card stock so you can print your own index cards. This is enough for two weeks of goal tracking, with one card being the customizable “what points count” and the rest for tracking points.
“Making Rain” Concrete Goals Tracker
The original Concrete Goals Tracker (CGT) was designed to keep freelancers like myself doing the important things that lead to actual money. The point system captures the mindset of building up small acts into real victories.
The same thinking applies to the sales pipeline.
Dream Context Tracker
This is one of a pair of experimental forms that is designed to convert dreams into action through small steps visualized on a field. It’s broken into four sections: (1) a statement of intent and desire (2) a weekly tracker showing where you are exploring (3) a “get unstuck” prompt area and (4) A small scribble pad for daily notes.
In practice it is too confusing to use, but the visual design LOOKS interesting. I actually use some of these ideas when doing my own mind-mapping sketch notes.
Details: Dream Context Tracker
Double-Sided Emergent Task Timer
This is The Emergent Task Timer (ETT). The ETT helps you see where your time goes by tracking distration with a 15-minute interval timer.
This variant is the super-secret double-sided edition, which unlike the original ETT can track 24 hours by using both sides of the paper that folds so you don’t have to enter your tasks twice.
Master Goals Sheet for GHDR 2010
This is one of the first Groundhog Day Resolutions (GHDR) tracking forms I made.
This one is for desk use to remind me what and how to stay focused on what matters. Having a physical piece of paper in my face helps a lot!
In practice, I didn’t use it because the act of making it is what helped keep me more focused. In retrospect, the experience of making it helped hone my sense of process-driven form design.
Groundhog Day Resolutions Tracker for 2016
This is a reference sheet that combines elements from CGT point mechanic with the idea of milestones. The central area is intentionally eye-catching to make it seem exciting.
This is the kind of design works better as a blueprint for software. That’s something I’d like to work on in the future once I get my web stack set.
Details: Goal Tracker Version 2!
Custom NaNoWriMo Word Counting Calendar
In 2013 I made a word counting calendar for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It visually tracked progress, and became quite popular.
One year my local library was hosting a local Wrimo, so I volunteered to make a version using their branding for handing out.
