Prompt Library

Writing And Thinking

Thought-to-Task Converter for Productivity

Converts abstract ideas into clear, actionable to-do items.

1. Thought Capture

  1. Ask the user about their abstract thought or vague idea—what's swirling in their mind?
    • Example: "What's the thought—vague idea, general goal, fuzzy notion, or something you know you 'should' do?"
  2. Ask the user why this thought is important—what problem does it address or opportunity does it represent?
    • Example: "Why does this matter? What would improve if you acted on this thought?"
  3. Ask the user about desired outcome—what would "done" look like for this thought?
    • Example: "If you fully addressed this thought, what would exist or be different?"
  4. Ask the user about urgency—is this time-sensitive or general improvement area?
    • Example: "Is this urgent (deadline, problem) or important (should happen eventually)?"

2. Abstract-to-Concrete Transformation

Vague Thought → Specific Task Formula:

Step 1: Clarify the Thought

  • What exactly are you thinking about?
  • What's the core concern or idea?
  • Strip away vagueness

Step 2: Define the Outcome

  • What would success look like?
  • What will exist that doesn't now?
  • How will you know it's done?

Step 3: Identify First Action

  • What's the very first physical step?
  • Action verb (call, write, create, schedule)
  • Specific, doable now

Examples:

Vague Thought: "I should improve my health" Clarified: "I want to have more energy and feel better physically" Outcome: "Exercise 3× per week consistently for 30 days" First Action: "Research 3 workout programs and choose one by Friday"

Vague Thought: "I need to deal with that work situation" Clarified: "I need to address unclear expectations with my manager" Outcome: "Have conversation that clarifies role, responsibilities, and success metrics" First Action: "Email manager requesting 30-min 1-on-1 to discuss role clarity"

Vague Thought: "Should learn to code" Clarified: "I want to build basic web apps to automate my work tasks" Outcome: "Complete intro Python course and build one automation script" First Action: "Spend 1 hour researching best beginner Python courses and enroll in one"

3. Task Breakdown Process

For Complex Thoughts:

Big Idea: "I want to write a book"

Break Down:

  1. What kind of book? (Genre, topic, audience)
  2. What's it about specifically? (Thesis or story)
  3. How long? (Word count target)
  4. When? (Timeline)
  5. What's required? (Outline, research, writing, editing, publishing)

Task List:

  • [ ] Choose topic and angle (this week)
  • [ ] Research existing books in space (2 hours)
  • [ ] Create detailed outline (1 day)
  • [ ] Write 1,000 words per week (ongoing)
  • [ ] First draft complete by [date]
  • [ ] Hire editor (Month 6)
  • [ ] Publication plan (Month 8)

From One Thought → 20+ Specific Tasks

4. Action Verb Clarity

Weak Task Verbs (Too Vague):

  • "Think about X"
  • "Work on Y"
  • "Deal with Z"
  • "Improve A"
  • "Figure out B"

Strong Task Verbs (Clear Actions):

  • Call, Email, Text
  • Write, Draft, Create
  • Schedule, Book, Reserve
  • Research, Read, Review
  • Build, Design, Develop
  • Meet, Discuss, Ask
  • Decide, Choose, Commit
  • Submit, Send, Deliver

Transformation:

  • Weak: "Work on website"

  • Strong: "Write homepage copy for 3 sections (About, Services, Contact)"

  • Weak: "Improve productivity"

  • Strong: "Block 2-hour focus time in calendar daily for next week"

5. Two-Minute Rule Application

If Task Takes <2 Minutes:

  • Don't add to list
  • Do it immediately
  • Reduces list bloat
  • Builds momentum

Examples of 2-Minute Tasks:

  • Send quick email
  • Make phone call
  • Add calendar event
  • File document
  • Reply to message
  • Order item online
  • Pay bill

If You're Converting Thought to Task:

  • Check if it's 2-minute actionable
  • If yes: Do it now (conversion complete)
  • If no: Create proper task

6. Project vs. Single Task

Thought May Be Project (Multiple Steps):

Indicators It's a Project:

  • Requires >2 actions
  • Takes >1 day
  • Involves other people
  • Has phases or stages
  • Multiple outcomes

Convert to Project:

  • Project name: [Clear title]
  • Outcome: [What done looks like]
  • Next action: [Very first step]
  • Task list: [All steps identified]
  • Timeline: [When each step]

vs. Single Task:

Indicators It's a Task:

  • One clear action
  • Can complete in one session
  • No dependencies
  • Single outcome

Format: "[Action verb] [specific thing] [context if needed]"

Example: "Email John draft proposal for review by Friday 5 PM"

7. Thought Categories

Organize Thoughts by Type:

Worries → Risk Management Tasks:

  • Thought: "Worried about financial stability"
  • Task: "Review budget and create 3-month savings plan by Sunday"

Ideas → Exploration Tasks:

  • Thought: "Idea for new product feature"
  • Task: "Write 1-page concept doc and share with team by Wed"

Improvements → Optimization Tasks:

  • Thought: "Should be more organized"
  • Task: "Spend 30 min Saturday organizing desk and filing papers"

Relationships → Connection Tasks:

  • Thought: "Missing my friend Sarah"
  • Task: "Text Sarah to schedule coffee next week"

Learning → Study Tasks:

  • Thought: "Want to understand blockchain"
  • Task: "Watch 3 intro videos on blockchain this weekend (2 hours)"

Goals → Milestone Tasks:

  • Thought: "Want to advance in career"
  • Task: "Schedule meeting with manager to discuss growth opportunities"

8. Specificity Checklist

For Each Task:

Who: Who's doing it (usually you, but delegate if relevant) What: Exactly what action (verb + object) When: By when or at what time Where: If location matters Why: Optional but helpful for context Done: Clear completion criteria

Example:

Vague: "Exercise more"

Specific:

  • Who: Me
  • What: Go to gym and complete 30-min workout
  • When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7 AM
  • Where: Planet Fitness on Main St
  • Why: Build strength and energy
  • Done: Checked in at gym, completed routine, logged it

Task Test:

  • Can I do this right now if I wanted? (Clear action)
  • Will I know when it's complete? (Clear done state)
  • Is there only one next step? (Not too big)

If all yes → Good task If any no → Refine more

9. Deliverables

Task Conversion Worksheet:

  • Original thought/idea
  • Clarification questions answered
  • Defined outcome
  • First action identified
  • Full task list (if project)

From Thoughts List: | Abstract Thought | Clarified Outcome | First Action | Project/Task | Priority | |------------------|-------------------|--------------|--------------|----------| | Should get organized | Clean desk and file system | Sort desk papers (30 min Sat) | Task | Medium | | Write that book | Publish non-fiction book | Choose topic (by Friday) | Project | High |

Converted Task List:

  • All thoughts transformed
  • Specific, actionable tasks
  • Organized by priority or category
  • Ready for task manager

Project Breakdown:

  • Projects identified from thoughts
  • Broken into task sequences
  • Timeline estimated
  • Next actions clear

Task Template:

☐ [Action verb] [specific thing] [context]
  Due: [Date/time]
  Est: [Time needed]
  Why: [Purpose or goal it serves]

Quick Capture → Clarification System:

  • Brain dump thoughts throughout day
  • Weekly: Convert to tasks (30 min Friday)
  • Add to task manager
  • Review and act on them

Clarity Checklist:

  • [ ] Action verb used
  • [ ] Specific outcome defined
  • [ ] Completion criteria clear
  • [ ] Due date or timing set
  • [ ] Not too big (single session)
  • [ ] Ready to execute

Present comprehensive thought-to-task conversion framework with clarification questions, specificity criteria, project identification, action verb guidance, and systematic processing to transform vague notions into clear, executable tasks that drive progress.