Figure D shows an example of my Daily Task List, prioritized to my specifications. In it, you can see I prioritized the items associated with my personal goals above those of others.

FIGURE D

The Daily Task List helps me focus on my goals of the day.

The third difference between the To Do list and the Daily Task List is the latter's advanced tracking ability. With the To Do list, you can check an item off when you've completed it. The Daily Task List lets you do so much more. Figure E shows you the variety of symbols available to track your tasks.

FIGURE E

You can track the progress of your tasks using these symbols.

At the end of the day, you can look back on your tasks and use the tracking symbols to monitor your progress. Figure F shows my Daily Task List updated with the tracking symbols.

FIGURE F

I can track my progress at the end of the day.

Master Task List
The Franklin Planner software also contains a Master Task List application for tasks you don't want to forget but you aren't ready to assign to a particular day. These are tasks you might have developed during a brainstorming session, but you're not yet sure when they need to be done. The Master Task List acts as a holding cell from which tasks can then be transferred to a Daily Task List when you decide the time is right. Figure G shows what my Master Task List looks like right now.

FIGURE G

Unscheduled tasks can go in the Master Task List.

Act
Once you've passed through the Discovery phase and the Plan phase, it's time to move to step three: Act. Here, you attack the items on your Daily Task List, being careful to track them as you go. I've already begun chasing my dream by convincing my relatives to fund the Billie Jean project. If I discipline myself and stick to the schedule I've created, my dream will become a reality soon.

Unlocking the organizational potential
If you bought a Palm device because you were looking for a personal organizer but found organizing your life still difficult, the Franklin Planner package may be just what you need. For one thing, it includes the range of software tools I've briefly described, but more importantly, it offers an organizational philosophy that will teach you how to live your life more effectively.

In this review, I was only able to scratch the surface of this comprehensive software package. To fully appreciate it, you have to try it for yourself. Enrolling in one of Franklin Covey's What Matters Most for Palm Computing Organizers workshops would be a great introduction for you.

If you're an experienced Palm device user, then a word of caution might be called for. The workshop runs at a beginner's level. While you'll probably find the organizational skills to be valuable, the session is frequently slowed by questions from less experienced Palm handheld users. This can be frustrating at times, but also gratifying, because it may give you the chance to work with others and help them discover the full potential of Palm computing.

John Swain continues to actively seek a publisher for his tell-all cookbook, Driven to Dine: The Ultimate Guide to Engine Manifold Dinners.