So I got this idea in my head last month – tactical column strategy versus other methods. Everybody’s arguing online about what works best for project management, right? I figured screw the debates, I’m gonna test it myself in real life.
Setting Up the Battle
Grabbed three personal projects: redesigning my kitchen, planning a camping trip with buddies, and writing that ebook I’ve been putting off for years. Started with classic Kanban boards first because that’s what all the productivity gurus push. Made pretty columns in my notebook: “To Do,” “Doing,” “Done.” Looked clean for about two days.
Then life hit. My kid got sick during the kitchen project, camping supplies sold out everywhere, and the ebook draft? Yeah right. Kanban turned into chaos real quick. Couldn’t see which fires needed putting out first – felt like juggling chainsaws blindfolded. Abandoned that mess after a week.
Tactical Column Attempt
Switched to tactical column method – basically just three buckets: “Critical Now,” “Important Soon,” “Backlog.” No fancy apps, just sticky notes on my closet door. Pushed everything into those categories brutally:
- Critical Now: Kid’s doctor appointment, book 1 campsite before they disappear
- Important Soon: Order tile samples, outline chapter 3
- Backlog: Replace light fixtures, research bear-proof coolers
First two days felt weirdly empty in the “Critical Now” column. Kept asking myself: “Is this REALLY life-or-death urgent today?” Most stuff wasn’t. Then surprise – suddenly had mental space to actually finish booking that campsite instead of stressing about tile colors.
The Unexpected Twist
Here’s where it got interesting. My camping buddy bailed last minute (classic Dave move). Normally I’d panic-scramble finding replacement gear. But since “backup tent plan” was sitting in “Backlog,” I just yanked that sticky into “Critical Now.” Took 20 minutes to solve. Meanwhile Kanban would’ve buried that task under 17 other sticky notes.
The ebook draft? Kept it in “Important Soon” for two weeks straight. Finally admitted to myself I was avoiding it – moved it to “Critical Now” and wrote three chapters in one weekend. Sometimes you need that metaphorical boot to the head.
Final Verdict
After six weeks:
- Kitchen: Done except backsplash (that’s “Backlog” material)
- Camping trip: Happened, with mediocre food but zero bear incidents
- Ebook: Halfway written – more progress than past three years
Tactical column isn’t sexy. No colorful charts, no dopamine hits from moving 50 tiny tasks to “Done.” But damn does it force you to confront what actually matters RIGHT NOW. Regular methods feel like grocery shopping hungry – you cram everything into the cart. This feels like going in with a shopping list written during breakfast. Still dropped a few items, but didn’t come home with expired yogurt nobody wants.