Video rental stores are one of the most frustrating places for me. It always takes so long to find a movie and once I get to the store my mind goes blank of all the movies I want to see. On the other hand I really like services like NetFlix because they let you make a list of all the movies you want to see and then send them to you one at a time.
You can use this same idea to help you in the video store. I started keeping a file with a list of movies I want to see on it. When someone says that a movie is good, I just add it to my list. When we want to find something to watch, we use the list to find an appropriate movie for the evening. This has turned what use to be a 45 minute hunt through the video store into a 5 or 10 minute process.
The idea can be applied to other areas as well. When you find yourself struggling to make a decision, ask yourself if in the last 3 months you have had any conversations that would have helped you make your decision if you just remembered. Good restaurants to try, books to read, blogs to read, etc. are all great candidates for their own list.
This is a classic application of “contexts” within GTD. I have @video, @library, @store lists always running. Good suggestion!
In high school (1990s) I did the same thing with albums and CDs that I wanted to buy. I kept a running list of the ten most recent recommendations/releases and would refer to that when in a situation where I had some cash to spend.
I still remember the first CDs I bought using that list: David Bowie’s “Young Americans,” the “Pi” soundtrack, KMFDM’s “Naive” and Aphex Twin’s “Selected Ambient Works Vol. II.”
As far as I’m concerned, that’s the main function of the memo pad notes on my Treo. I have Books, Movies, Music, and the random shopping/errand collector. Also a running list for my next order from the spice place, and the wine/liquor store. Restaurants that friends have recommended go into the Contacts list on a provisional basis.
I also keep a note with the battery model numbers that my various household gadgets use. (for those that use coin-type batteries, or other non-standard things)
I couldn’t live without lists. I keep one journal with all my lists – websites, books, movies, wine, etc. I find it’s always handy on my desk and easy to take with me. I even keep a wish list – items I would like but can’t afford right now – one never knows when the right item will come along OR when you decide you don’t really need the item after all!
Yeah, I couldn’t live without lists either. I think my entire life is documented. (@ Dennis B, ahhh, I remember the Aphex twins! Although.. back then.. I was in middle school.. haha)
Movies are one of my favorite things to do and a great escape. The cost has gone up so much that you must make good decisions. I’ve walked on a few that had some of the very best stars in them but the language was so unnecessary.
I like to record a bunch of movies (and they all make it to the TV in time) on our DISH and then at our leisure we can watch them in the comfort of home and it’s free. If they don’t look so great, we delete and watch the next one. Rentals are good as there is greater variety but I seldom watch anything I have had someone give me a good recommendation on. It seems that each year there are less and less great movies. Can’t say that about a good book!