I use Notational Velocity (http://notational.net) and a single text note within it (I get to it by typing "todo"). I have sections for "this week", "next week", "this month", "next month", and "someday".
If I weren't using NV, I'd use Notepad.exe or TextMate or TextEdit. I wouldn't use anything more complex than those.
I adjust things on my (multiple times a) weekly review. Stuff that needs to be done on a specific day goes on my calendar accordingly.
I carry around a small stack of 20 or so plain index cards for on-the-go. If I come up with an idea or a todo, I write it down on the card in biggish letters, any notes about the task or idea also go on the card. One card per idea or task.
When I'm near my inbox, I chuck the cards I wrote on in there, or I immediately file them in Notational Velocity.
I've tried and wasted money on paper day planners, Things, Omnifocus, Evernote, Google Tasks, GTD Tracks, RTM, etc. I found they were all too cumbersome and annoying to set up and maintain.
Likewise a paper list by itself was too much crossing out, moving around and erasing.
I advise people to stay away from 43Folders, Lifehacker, and the like to avoid the "GTD method of the week" distractions. Use what works and is not a pain in the ass.
I created http://untodos.com last year with similar groupings (today/soon/whenever). I used it for about a year but stopping using it because adding/removing tasks individually was too much work and I much preferred managing nested todo lists in a text-editor with code-collapse features (so I could hide entire sublists). Earlier this year I created http://bulletxt.com (text-editor like todo/outline app with collapse) and have been using it ever since. I really need to finish it up because quite a few HN people have been using it lately.
Funny you mention GTD. I'm driving across the country and earlier today started listening to the GTD audiobook. Five minutes in, I stopped it. Just not my cup of tea honestly. I listened to Feynman and Kurt V. instead.
If I weren't using NV, I'd use Notepad.exe or TextMate or TextEdit. I wouldn't use anything more complex than those.
I adjust things on my (multiple times a) weekly review. Stuff that needs to be done on a specific day goes on my calendar accordingly.
I carry around a small stack of 20 or so plain index cards for on-the-go. If I come up with an idea or a todo, I write it down on the card in biggish letters, any notes about the task or idea also go on the card. One card per idea or task.
When I'm near my inbox, I chuck the cards I wrote on in there, or I immediately file them in Notational Velocity.
I've tried and wasted money on paper day planners, Things, Omnifocus, Evernote, Google Tasks, GTD Tracks, RTM, etc. I found they were all too cumbersome and annoying to set up and maintain.
Likewise a paper list by itself was too much crossing out, moving around and erasing.
I advise people to stay away from 43Folders, Lifehacker, and the like to avoid the "GTD method of the week" distractions. Use what works and is not a pain in the ass.