Getting Things Done® podcast from Vital Learning 133. Listener questions #19: Checklists, Someday/Maybe and aligning higher horizons with your list manager
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Feb 28, 2026 Short answers to practical GTD questions about building a simple morning checklist and why rituals help form habits. Tips for trimming bloated Someday/Maybe lists and when to rebuild them. Ways to map higher-level goals and OKRs into a task manager without overcomplicating your system.
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Use A Calendar Morning Checklist
- Do set a morning GTD checklist as a calendar event so it reliably prompts your routine.
- Morten recommends coffee, a calendar reflection, then reviewing your lists and a short "My Day" shortlist to limit what you commit to.
Limit Your Daily Top Items
- Do limit the number of things you plan for the day and treat your task list like a menu to avoid overcommitment.
- Lars suggests picking three top items (or another realistic number) so you feel mastery and avoid guilt over incomplete tasks.
Create Small Morning Rituals
- Do build small rituals into your morning checklist to shape behavior and focus.
- Lars uses music, coffee, fresh air, a mind sweep with keywords, calendar review and a quick 'add preparation' button beside meetings to block prep time.