I keep track of my time and activities in a spreadsheet. I used to track each project separately for billing and analysis purposes, but finally moved to consolidate all data (including project summaries) in a single place, so that I can use it later for scoping. After more than a year, I have now enough detail on what different activities usually take me, so scoping and quoting a project for a client is a lot easier than it used to be.

For my to-do list, I use my Mac’s calendar application (iCal). It gives me everything I need: notes, deadlines, priorities, and reminders (email, system message, or sound)… Lately moving towards email because popup reminders are just irritating and completely distracting.

I was telling Joey… Once I start the timer on a project task, I can go undistracted for hours. The “challenge” is getting me started in the mornings. That’s when posts and comments are fresh, and if I don’t stop myself, I can spend a lot of time browsing and reading. That’s where Dave’s list of worthy tasks is a great idea, and the 15min buzzer from the ETT should also help a lot. I’m thinking I’m going to use the ETT tool to track the time spent on GUILTY PLEASURE activities… Should act like a nagging parent asking me to stop.

I also started using Wallnote at the same time to keep my to-do list (with Windows you can integrate it into your desktop)…I’ve tried a number of tools (Backpack, Orchestrate HQ, Google, etc.) so far and haven’t stuck with one long enough yet to recommend it.

The tool that caught my attention was the list of tasks worth doing (I’m not sure if that’s the same tool you’re talking about). Although not all of his tasks and points match mine (obviously), I thought it was a very good visual reminder to keep close at hand.

I haven’t created my list and I’m not filling out the progress chart yet, but the overall concept is genius. I mean: If you’re seriously driven by goals, it’s all about providing yourself a measurable incentive system that matches your work/business/productivity goals… Such an “MBA-ista” concept.

It does not surprise me that you already knew about this…

Another idea – have you tried the “invisibility cloak” greasemonkey script for Firefox? You can block sites during certain hours of the day (e.g., photojojo, flickr) so you can focus better.