Level 3 exam — Time management & priorities

Exam — fresh questions

12 new questions to validate methods: GTD, Pomodoro, personal Kanban, Bullet Journal and weekly review.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

3.1 · Recall

1. What is GTD's (David Allen) founding idea?

Never reviewing your system The brain is made for having ideas, not storing them Memorizing everything to stay alert Working with no lists or system

GTD externalizes everything into a reliable 5-step system: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Review, Engage.

3.1 · Application

2. Anis must "organize the event". Which next action lifts the blockage?

Waiting until you have all the time ahead Rereading the list without deciding anything "Call the caterer for a quote": physical, concrete, immediate "Organize the event" copied over as is

The next action is physical and immediate: you know exactly what to do as soon as you have a moment.

3.1 · Arbitration

3. Anis wants "perfect GTD": a complex 12-list system, zero review. You decide…

Capturing more without ever clarifying: piling up is enough Simplifying (capture + next action) and setting the review: without it, the system loses trust Keeping the complex system with no review: perfection is enough Returning to all-mental: systems serve nothing

Arbitration: two simple, reviewed pillars beat a perfect system never reread.

3.2 · Recall

4. How does the classic Pomodoro cycle work?

With no timer, by feeling only 2h blocks with no break, 4 tasks at once With no break to go faster 25 min on one task + 5 min break (long every 4)

25 min focused + 5 min real break, long (15-30 min) every 4: duration adjusts afterwards.

3.2 · Application

5. An idea pops up during Anis's pomodoro. What to do?

Note it on paper and handle it at the break Yield at once and switch task Stop working for the day Remove the timer and improvise

During a pomodoro, distractions wait for the break: noted, not suffered.

3.3 · Application

6. Anis's Kanban shows 7 "Doing" cards, nothing finishes. What to do?

Never moving any card on the board again Opening an eighth front to restart Applying the WIP limit (max 2-3): finish before starting Removing the Done column to save space

The WIP limit forces finishing before starting: it fights scattering and multitasking.

3.3 · Arbitration

7. Dilemma — A "Doing" card has stagnated 10 days and blocks the WIP limit. You…

Bypassing the limit by opening 3 cards off-board Treating the blockage (splitting, asking for help, rephrasing) instead of opening more Removing the board: limits serve nothing Letting it stagnate and piling 5 cards over it

Arbitration: a stagnating card signals a blockage to treat — not a limit to bypass.

3.4 · Recall

8. What is Bullet Journal rapid logging?

Working only on screen Decorating each page for an hour Quick symbol notation (task, event, note) Removing the notebook index

Dot, cross, chevron, circle: a few rapid symbols — no drawings required.

3.4 · Application

9. At week end, 4 unfinished tasks remain in Anis's notebook. What to do?

Copying them over mechanically without thinking Erasing them all without rereading Decorating pages to get motivated Migrating: copying over while re-evaluating usefulness, or dropping what no longer matters

Migration forces a decision: keep (copy over) or drop — no more ghost tasks.

3.5 · Application

10. Anis blocks his first weekly review. Which content?

Review + cleared lists + 3-5 priorities with slots set Adding meetings to talk about organization Working the weekend without stopping Deleting all his annual goals

30-60 min: done/blocked/why, cleaned lists, dated priorities — GTD's "Review".

3.5 · Application

11. How long for an effective weekly review?

A whole day, once a year Never: systems hold alone 5 minutes once a month 30 to 60 minutes, weekly, shielded slot

Short but regular: consistency (Friday or Monday) beats exact duration.

3.5 · Arbitration

12. Dilemma — Anis "has no time" for his review: busy week, full lists. You…

Holding a short (30 min) review: clear, realign, 3 priorities — when full it pays most Preparing the week without setting any slot Skipping the review: acting fast beats maintaining Changing tool every week: the new one will fix everything

Arbitration: without maintenance, any system falls apart — especially in a busy week, the review avoids forgotten items and urgencies.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move to Level 4 — V3 (calendar, task apps, notifications, automation, paper vs digital).
Score < 80%: reread the explanations above — each re-explains the concept — then redo the 48h challenges of the 5 sections.