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Using David Allens "Getting Things Done" system in WoW

I'm a big fan of David Allen's Getting Things Done. It's a simple task management system based on dumping all the crap you get into an inbox and creating lists for projects. You're probably wondering exactly what this has to do with WoW. As I've rolled GTD into production in my life, it's hard not to use it in games. So, I'm sharing this tip on how I improved my productivity in WoW.

You see, I've got a horrid memory. Always have. It's gotten worse now that I'm getting on in years. I'd be playing WoW, run back to town, repair and run off. Then I'd go, "Doh! You idiot, you forgot to get arrows." Insert repairing, getting pet food, sending stuff to my mule, and just about anything of a resupply nature in the place of arrows. I'd also forget that two quests are in the same area. As I said, my bad memory is legendary.

As part of my game review process I keep a small half-sized spiral notebook next to my keyboard so I can make notes about games. One day I noticed I'd also started using it for GTD-style tasks in games. It started subtly with a reminder to check out a different area or that I needed to test trade skills.

Allen promotes breaking your list into categories. Eschewing the real-life list management I use, I'll focus specifically on my WoW lists and how I use them to compensate for poor memory. I use these headers:
  • @ Town
  • @ AH
  • @ Quests
  • @ Misc
When I notice I'm running low on arrows, under the @ Town header I'll make a note to get arrows. Same for repair, pet food, and all the items I listed above. After a few play sessions my list will look like this:

@ Town
- get more arrows
- get pet food
- repair
- mail clefthoof stacks to mule

@ AH
- sell from mule
- get more pots
- run an auctioneer scan

@ Quests
- <quest name> <loc> (note: in same area as <quest name>. Do at same time.

@ Misc
- Ask guild leader about resists for raid

As I complete them, I'll cross them off the list. When the list is mostly crossed off, I just start a new page and carry over any open items. Now, if only I can remember to look at the list. While there are notepad add-ons, I've found plain old pen-and-paper works best for me.

Admittedly, not everyone has the sorry excuse for a memory I do and can remember to do simple tasks in games. I can't. What sort of memory aids do you use in WoW?

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