February 21, 2026
Radar Date
A list member wrote in to ask:
What’s a “Radar Date”?
Great question!
Here’s my definition:
Radar Date is the date on which I want a task to appear in my TODAY list.
That’s it.
Why bother with this?
Because if I see too many tasks that I can’t (or won’t) start yet, my cognitive load goes through the roof.
Longer list.
More scanning.
More “Can I do this now?” questions.
Less focus.
So when I create a new task, I default it to today.
BUT!
If the task is blocked or better done closer to a real deadline, I push the Radar Date out.
For example:
Task: Cancel Prime subscription
Radar Date: 12/31/2026
Why: Day before auto-renewal
Here’s the thing...
If your TODAY list is full of stuff you can’t do today, it’s not a to-do list.
It’s a distraction.
Yours,
—J