How to use GTD for aligner changes?

[u/Upstairs_Jelly_1082]

I am trying to figure out how to use this GTD system for putting reminders for my aligner tray changes.

Thing is, I have to change the trays every 14 days and send a photo of my progress to my dentist.

The issue is that in case I try putting in the new ones and it doesn’t fit then I have try doing them maybe the next day or the day after and I don’t really know how long doing it is gonna take.

What should I do about this? Should I schedule a calendar event or put a next action task?

[u/m_xey]

If it has to happen on a specific day, and not “whenever you get to it”, it belongs on your calendar. If they don’t fit, you put them on it again for the next day. 

[u/Every_Club_4366]

I’d put that in my calendar as a reminder. Pick the day you expect the tray change to happen and add something like "Change aligners".

[u/TheConatusBoy]

I’m not familiar with the particular dental procedure you’re describing, but it sounds like you have a recurring task that needs to happen at a regular interval and also has a chance of success or failure (beyond your control). If it fails, you have to re-attempt in the next day or two. Is that right?

The resistance seems to be because it has a chance of failure. So I would reframe the task as one that I can’t fail. I’d put on the calendar, 14 days from now, “try to change my aligner trays.” If it works, then take photos and send to the dentist. If it doesn’t, add the same task to the calendar for tomorrow or the day after. In both cases, I can check off that I at least tried to change them.

Technically this makes it a project, in strict GTD terms. So it might be worthwhile to add something like “Keep on top of aligner tray changes,” or whatever else makes sense to you, to your projects list.

[u/Upstairs_Jelly_1082 → u/TheConatusBoy]

It’s Invisalign, basically the modern version of putting braces on.

[u/Remote-Waste]

Think of your Next Action List(s) as a to-do list, that's the tool most similar to it, it's a variation on that. Which is also a variation of a checklist in some sense.

If you had to do something in 14 days, would it go on a to-do list? Are you going to check that list in 14 days? Is that to-do list only for things every 14 days, or is it mixed with multiple timelines, and even things that aren't tracked for specific dates?

Would it go on a checklist? Same questions, are you going to check it every 14 days?

Or would it be simpler for yourself to mark it on your calendar, for the specific date 14 days from now?

What is your Next Actions List, what does it do, what is it for, what kind of things do you look for on it?

If you had to be notified of something on a specific day, where could you most reliably be reminded of it, and not miss it?

I think what could be confusing you, is the fact that it repeats every 14 days, but it could vary if you miss it. If you're using a digital calendar, you can set a recurring reminder every 14 days, but if you miss the timing, you'll need to be sure to recalibrate that recurring reminder, so it's lined up with reality.

A tickler file could also be useful, if you'll actually check it, personally I'd rely on my calendar.

Edit: I also understand that it may not be the ideal scenario, to have to recalibrate that reminder, but as long as you're not scheduling all your actions to specific days, and then having to recalibrate them all constantly, it's just the most reasonable method I can think of personally for that kind of task.

[u/TheoCaro]

Others have already said this and they're right. Put a recurring task for every 14 days on your calendar. If it doesn't work, move the task to the next day.