Someday/Maybe. One of the David Allen mind-sweep lists is the "Someday/Maybe" list. As he describes it, "This is the 'parking lot' for projects that would be impossible to move on at present but that you don't want to forget about entirely." One of the David Allen coaches, Meg Edwards, whom I have mentioned before, writes about this list. Here is a partial list that I can come up with this morning:

1. Digitize the scrapbook fodder. I have several boxes of pictures, correspondence, and other memorabilia from my parents' house and from our own family. I would like to have the space that those boxes take up. I would like to have what they contain arranged and cataloged. I would like to think that none of it gets lost or deteriorates into something illegible. I am waiting for the method and the time to scan all of that into something that will be more permanent.

2. Make systematic the collection of client asset data for my estate planning practice. I talked to Walter and with one of his colleagues several years ago about developing a program that would enable a legal assistant to obtain from a client essential information on the client's assets so that I can help him understand what he has, what will happen to his assets if he dies owning them in their present death-direction posture, and what he needs to do to change the death-direction of his assets so that it conforms to the client's overall estate plan. Once upon a time, I thought estate planning was mainly about avoiding estate taxes. Then I began to think that it was really about "family policy", that is, what are the client's goals about the death-direction of his assets, given what he knows about the needs and abilities of his loved ones. Those questions remain important, of course, but we properly address none of these issues unless we learn the facts, not only about the family (the people) but also (and especially) about the assets. I say "especially" not because assets are more important than the people, but because the collection of the essential information on assets is difficult and time-consuming and is an aspect of estate planning that practioners are inclined to neglect.

3. Break the 20 wpm CW barrier. I want to be able to read Morse code in my head at speeds well in excess of 20 words per minute. It simply takes practice, which means it takes time. CW ("continuous wave") is a very simple and efficient way of communicating via the airwaves. Many people believe it to be obsolete. I don't think it is obsolete, but I don't much care whether it is or not. It's just fun.

4. Understand the electronic circuit. I have done the reading, but I just don't get it yet.

5. Read all of the Great Books.

6. Explore voice recognition software again. I tried this out about 7 years ago, and it did not seem possible. The software has been improved. This project may be closer than "Someday/Maybe".

7. Move near my grandchildren. Sigh.

8. Get Admitted to the Texas Bar. This is related to item 7, above.

Look for updates on this list. What a relief to write these things down.

And what's on your Someday/Maybe list?