Working Live Today
Friday, September 4, 2009 at 8:00 Key:
Tasks on list at start of day
Current Task
Actioned tasks (numbered in order of completion)
Tasks added during day
[Tasks marked for review]
—————————— = Start of Open List
(1156) timed log entry (at end)
THE LIST
13 Cancel Insurance Policies (1018)
15 Write Henry S. (1053)
[Contribute to P & Y’s Charity]
10 Buy Guillotine
[Weed Old Accounts]
[Ring Ben’s Gutters]
[Get Phoenix Insurance Claim signed]
[Investigate ways of marketing and selling E-book]
[Approaching businesses?]
11 Photo Plus Manual
[Sort out Domain hosting]
14 Photos for Facebook
12 “Taxi Driver”
[“Fanny Cradock”]
[“I Know Where I’m Going”]
[“The Edge of the World”] [1452][1534]
——————————————
Check details needed by Travel Agency
56 Schedule for Newsletters?
16 Restaurant for L’s birthday?
Card for L
Weed Noguchi
57 Portuguese 17
Aeneid
“Then She Found Me”
Write E-book
Write M
67 Read “Ultra Simple Guide”
Camera Manual
Return chalk to T
Brain trainer
17 Tidy Office
68 “Fleurs du Mal”
18 Make Bed
German 24/3
19 Facebook
50 Spanish 12/2
Mow Lawn
Sort out Google bar
Blog “7 Habits of Poor Time Managers”
“Saraband”
Write
20 Bureau Top tidy?
21 MicroPlaza
Reading List (oldest)
Reading List (newest)
G replied?
22 Desk tidy?
23 Exercise
Walk
Tax Return
Photo Galleries
Squarespace Videos
47 Check BP
Journal 10+
24 Investment Managers
25 RegZooka
26 Cut Hedge
27 NumberWatch
28 Carswell
69 “The Cell” (2300)
Paper
1 Comments (0800)
2 Voicemail
29 Fix date for lunch with Carol N
3 Email
4 FTSE (0833)
“Top Gear”
5 Lowest Point Forecast
30 Back Up
31 Reading
6 Doodle
Change Wallpaper
58 Reading List (quality)
7 Pitch C#
8 Wash Up
Autopager?
Firefox extension name?
9 Comments
Voicemail
32 Email
33 FTSE
Lowest Point Forecast
Doodle
34 Pitch C#
35 Wash Up
36 Comments (0904)
PhotoPlus Manual
“Taxi Driver”
Cancel Avon Policy
48 To Think About
37 L replied re Henry?
38 L replied re restaurant?
Check Porsche Tyres
Check Polo Service
Tidy Office
39 Read Newspaper
40 Check Site Visitors for today
Make Bed
Facebook
51 Find Driving Licence
Bureau Top Tidy?
52 Regenerate Friend Wheel
41 Ordo
Investment Managers
Carswell
59 Carol N replied re lunch?
Diaries of Adrienne v. Speyr?
42 Lunch
53 SpyZooka
RegZooka
54 Reading
Pitch C#
Write Henry
55 Book restaurant
43 Reserve District 9 and Tricks
44 Comments
45 Wash Up
46 Email
Voicemail
56 Site Visitors
Ordo
49 Comments
Wash Up (1450)(1709)(1847)(1849)
—————————————————
Check BP
60 Email
61 Comments (1528)
Check weeding schedule for old accounts
Find Phone Number for Ben’s Gutters
Prepare papers for Phoenix signing
Check domain hosting records
“Fanny Cradock”
Spanish 13
62 Tweetdeck
SpyZooka
63 Reading
64 Site Visitors (2046)
Newsletter Template
Portuguese 17/2
Try out issuu.com
Reading List (quality)
65 Email
66 Tweetdeck
Email (2057)
“Fleurs du Mal”
“The Cell”
0800. The list is divided into two unequal parts, divided by a line ———————. Different rules apply to each part. I am starting where I left off yesterday, near the end of the list. The method here is to move down the list taking action on those tasks which feel ready to be done. I will number tasks in the order they are done so you can follow the sequence. The numbers in brackets after some tasks are times, and refer to the log entries at the end of the list (of which this is the first).
0833. This is reminding me why I hate using electronic means of working a to do list! It’s slowing me down no end. The Squarespace editor is also being annoying - a blank line has appeared in the middle of the list which I don’t seem to be able to get rid of. Never mind!
0904. I’ve now reached the end of the list. My next action is to go to the beginning of the list - into the part of the list before the line (——————). Oooooerrrr!!!
1018. Within the first part of the list, I keep circling round the list until nothing further seems ready to do.
1053. I’ve now been round the first part of the list three times, and there’s nothing further that seems ready to do. So now I start on the second part of the list. I only do one pass of this before going back to the first part.
1450. Now reached the end of the list for the second time today. So back to the first part of the list (the “backlog”)
1452. None of the tasks in the “backlog” stand out for action so I have marked them all up for review (on paper I would have used a highlighter for this). At the same time I have drawn a line at the end of the list so that the whole current list becomes the “backlog”. All new tasks will now go below this line.
1528. Now reached the end of the list for the third time today. Notice how fast I moved through the list this time. Back to the beginning of the list.
1534. What I have now done is delete all the items marked for review. You will see that I have re-entered some after rephrasing them. One I have re-entered as it was (A recorded TV program that I haven’t yet had time to see). The rest I have dropped altogether because I decided the time wasn’t yet ripe for them.
1709. Reached end of first part of list - back to the beginning. On another subject, this page has been loaded 5,973 times today (and it wasn’t all by me!)
1847 End of first part of list again - back to beginning.
1849 I’ve been round the first part of the list again without any tasks seeming ready to do - so on to the second part.
2046. Page has been accessed 7,507 times today.
2057 Reached the end of the list again. Back to the beginning. I’ll select a next task, but what I’m really going to do is go and watch NCIS on tv!
2300 That’s it for today. 70 tasks completed. 8,604 page views. I hope that’s given everyone a good idea of how powerful the system is. Now I’ve just got to copy everything I’ve done today back into my paper notebook!
(Comments on this post are now closed. If you can’t see the existing comments, click on the post heading “Working Live Today”)
Mark Forster
There is a brilliant file by Andreas Hofmann which gives an animated version of this demonstration. This is an absolute must for quick understanding of the system. Many thanks, Andreas, this was a huge undertaking.
Reader Comments (188)
<< What is the rule for placing the line? >>
Your answer is "It goes at the end of the whole list when the previous "backlog" is completed."
So my question is "completed backlog" = either finished all tasks or remaining tasks have been put up for review.
So it it is not necesssary to have carried out the review in order for the backlog to be finished?
=====
Summary of AF4 Rules
AF4 consists of two lists (or list parts)
- The first is a closed list called "Backlog" (for the moment ... it might later be called "Closed List")
- The second is an open list
- The two lists are treated as one with regard to where one is in the processing cycle. IOW, start tomorrow where you left off today.
The processing rules are as follows:
- The first ("Closed") list is cycled through repeatedly and items are actioned (if they stand out), or passed over
- - Actioned items are crossed out
- - - If there is more work to be done (or the task is repetitive, it is added to the end of the second list.
- - If something was actioned in this pass and nothing further stands out
- - - Move to the beginning of the second list and begin scanning/processing that list
- - If nothing was actioned in this pass of the first list
- - - All items are put "on review"
- - - The "backlog line" is moved to the end of the second list making all of that the new "backlog"
- - - All new items are added after the new "backlog line"
- - If (on the next pass of the first list, after returning from working on the second "Open" list) nothing stands out
- - - Dismiss all "on notice" items
- - - Add back any that seem to want to be done to the end of the second list (possibly rewording them
- The second ("Closed") list is processed in only one pass each time it is entered
- - It is processed only when nothing stands out from the first list
- - As with the first list, if an item is actioned it is crossed off and re-added to the end (of the second, open, list if there is more work to do or it is a repetitive item
=====
That is my best understanding so far.
Beep! ;-)
THANKS! I proffed that a dozen times ... if Mark is "flagging", I'm getting punchy ;-) ;-)
I changed it for the next posting (the one in which I fix that and make three more errors ;-)
That's a great summary. The only part I am not sure about is this:
>>> - - If (on the next pass of the first list, after returning from working on the second "Open" list) nothing stands out
- - - Dismiss all "on notice" items
- - - Add back any that seem to want to be done to the end of the second list (possibly rewording them <<<
I don't think there is a concept of 'on notice' - here is my interpretation of the workflow to arrive at dismissed items:
1) If no items stand out in the closed list, you dismiss them all.
2) Draw the backlog line at the end of your open list, and it now becomes your closed list, and you work that until no items stand out.
3) When no items stand out in your closed list, do your one pass through the open list.
4) Return to the beginning of the list where the dismissed items, and either delete or re-enter them.
5) Keep going on to the closed list.
6) Go back to Step 1.
(insert favourite terminology for 'backlog', 'stand out', 'dismissed', etc)
WOWSERS! I'm not even going to attempt to read all these comments......
Mike.....thank you for cracking the code! LOL! After looking at Mark's monolithic list, I think I'll stay with my easier brain damage friendly methods...........
Mark....if you added only 2 more hours, this would be an "official" 17hour crunch! We'd do these during convention and publishing deadlines. David, I hope you appreciate your medical illustration staff each time you get published!
Our methods were far kinder than Mark's non-stop listathon method. We gave ourselves
4 15minute breaks and 2 30minute meals. We'd have NEVER been able to go non-stop like Mark did today! Mark, I'm highly impressed! WELL DONE! If we attempted 15 hours of illustrating in one go, I'd fear that our anatomical accuracy would have flown out the window and the charts, diagrams and schematics rendered utterly useless!
learning as I go
From an earlier post by Mark:
=====
The review/dismissal rule is as follows:
If you do no tasks when you visit the first part of the list, then all tasks in the first part are put on notice for review and the line is drawn at the end of the second part so that the whole list becomes the new first part.
The next time you go to the beginning of the list, all tasks which are on notice for review are deleted. They may be re-entered (preferably re-phrased) or just dropped. So basically what happens is that you go through each task for review and decide what to do with it.
=====
Welcome back ... now it is just about time to walk the dog and see the sunset! ;-)
I'm starting to "get" Mark ;-) If you'll notice his list is mostly small chunks of things. That is why it is humongous. My list would be chunked higher so be shorter ... as I suspect would yours. Mark really is "little and often" in his orientation ... to an extent I had not previously understood. I think that accounts for a lot of our "crossed communications". We are such very different people. I could never watch 30 minutes of a movie. That would destroy it for me ;-)
I'm not sure, but I think with the addition of my "hot list" I could make this system work and it might just work out better for me than what I'm doing now. Dunno. I've got to mull over this a bit ;-)
Today was so lovely that I took my beloved furrball on several walks today! Sunsets get prettier in the autumn around here. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe the ocean air has something to do with it. For awhile, the ocean is actually warmer than some of the autumn days.
I barely glanced at the particulars of his list because my brain is like a sieve. I read a list and it evaporates in my brain almost instantly. Maybe it's because it's hard to cue up a list of random short phrases for my brain. Like you, I find it easier to stay in a category of effort as opposed to jumping around. Plus, it's far easier for me to work a short list & routine checklists I've grown more familiar with. I'm a mess. I like deciding and doing separate as much as possible unless it's learning/discovery time. Working an AF list would probably blow a couple of my brain gaskets! LOL!
What titilates you about today's new method to be worth experimenting yet again! I finally stopped with that I hope. I simply don't have the extra resources any more. *blush*
I'd rather use that learning curve effort on something I have more interest in such as playing mad scientist in the kitchen! LOL!
learning as I go
In the time honoured spirit of people criticising Mark's systems before trying them ("it's just a to-do list", etc!) I'd like to sound a pessimistic note and say: I don't see how this system is going to be a long-term improvement, because it weakens the "threat of dismissal" so much. After a few days my brain will learn that there's no real penalty to dismissing items, and thus I will leave the closed list area too readily, reducing the efficacy of the closed list area, and also adding to the overhead time spent rewriting and rewriting bits of the list.
This isn't really a criticism of Mark's work, though. I think NOVELTY is a huge reason why new systems seem better than old ones — the power of our brains to adapt is scarily great. I hereby predict that when all is said and done, the rules of the Ultimate Autofocus System will be as follows:
1. Every few weeks, switch the version of Autofocus that you're using.
The end.
I think what Sabrina means is that whether you call it "on notice" or "on review", those tasks are not treated like "on notice" tasks in RAF.
Mark writes: << The next time you go to the beginning of the list, all tasks which are on notice for review are deleted >>
You wrote: <<- - If (on the next pass of the first list, after returning from working on the second "Open" list) nothing stands out
- - - Dismiss all "on notice" items >>
The problem is the "if" in your statement. Once the tasks are marked, they get deleted the next time. Immediately, not after nothing stands out again.
At least that's my understanding right now.
I'm going to bed now btw. ^^
Thanks for the fun this morning!
learning as I go
Let me join in with my thanks for your excellent summaries.
Here's a question about this "on notice" bit. I know there was some talk earlier about the usefulness or not of a highlighter to denote things on notice. In this blogaversity that Mr. Forster is running today he couldn't highlight items, so they were put in brackets.
Does it make sense for us to highlight or mark items on notice at all? The way it looks at first glance is that every unactioned item above the FIRST line is on notice (you've already drawn a SECOND line, right?) When you come back around to the closed list the next time all of those items are dismissed or reentered at the end of the open list. Is that correct?
Is there any reason, besides Mr. Forster wanting to show us clearly what items were on notice for review, to highlight/mark the items?
--Joseph
>>> Today was so lovely that I took my beloved furrball on several walks today! <<<
YAY for you! Honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend the day.
>>> Sunsets get prettier in the autumn around here. I<<<
It is mostly the crap in the air that makes them so beautiful ;-)
>>> 'm looking forward to that. Maybe the ocean air has something to do with it.
AH, I don't think you've ever mentioned you lived near the ocean. Yes, of course, it is the salt in the air. Especially as the air gets colder, the air picks up more salt and that scatters the light more and makes for orange and red sunsets.
I envy you that. I would like to live nearer the water or in the desert ... I love extremes ;-)
>>> For awhile, the ocean is actually warmer than some of the autumn days. <<<
Yes, and especially late in the day. The water has all day to warm up and cools more slowly. The land changes more quickly. It is pretty funny how that all works. When I would fly my tiny plane over the Chesapeak Bay in the warm of a Fall or early Spring day, I would hit a "bump" as I flew over the water ... the air over the water was stil colder and so it was like hitting a pot hole ;-)
>>> I barely glanced at the particulars of his list because my brain is like a sieve. I read a list and it evaporates in my brain almost instantly. Maybe it's because it's hard to cue up a list of random short phrases for my brain. Like you, I find it easier to stay in a category of effort as opposed to jumping around. Plus, it's far easier for me to work a short list & routine checklists I've grown more familiar with. I'm a mess. <<<
Hey now, cut that out! You're one of the most capable people around. And don't even get me started on drive and positive attitude!
>>> I like deciding and doing separate as much as possible unless it's learning/discovery time. Working an AF list would probably blow a couple of my brain gaskets! LOL! <<<
LOL ;-) I also thrive on habits, as you know. That is why much of my lists would be higher order chunks.
>>> What titilates you about today's new method to be worth experimenting yet again! <<<
Oh, I can't resist playing with systems. What I like about this is that he as actually managed to make it simpler than before. I thought that RAF was going in the wrong direction ... getting more complicated. This is much simpler and, with a tweak or two, would be even simpler still.
>>> I finally stopped with that I hope. I simply don't have the extra resources any more. *blush* I'd rather use that learning curve effort on something I have more interest in such as playing mad scientist in the kitchen! LOL! <<<
I also love cooking. My wife is of two minds about it ... MY cooking, that is. On the one hand she loves that I do all the cooking. On the other, she can't get my "experimenting" with food. She would rather that I fix it the same way all the time. Stuff and nonsense, I say. Cooking is play.
I long ago forgot ... one day ... when I was younger and MUCH stupider ... I was cooking pasta. I had read that it was good to put wine in the sauce. I had no wine, unfortunately, but I DID have Creme de Menthe. Need I say more? OY, my dinner tasted like toothpaste!
I'd like to offer a simpler description of the process. Of course, it doesn't have the detail Mike and Sabrina gave above. I'll use C ("Current") for open list #2, and B ("Backlog") for closed list #1.
Brief Autofocus 4 Instructions (assumed start at Current List)
1. Unicycle C, then multicycle B. Return to C after unproductive B cycle.
2. On return from C to B, cross out each highlighted task.
3. On unproductive initial B cycle, highlight all B tasks then close entire list. Continue to multicycle newly expanded B, skipping highlighted tasks.
I think that covers the entire strategy, other than the details we already know how to do (e.g. choosing what "stands out"; deciding which highlighted items to re-enter and re-word, etc.).
I'm guessing not. In fact, as I mentioned to Mark, putting items on notice is actually redundant as well. He wants just that little bit of time lag to have his subconscious process that those tasks are about to be deleted. But I think they could be dispatched straight away. Once you did nothing on a pass, copy the items you want to save and draw a big X through the whole bit and move on.
<< I could never watch 30 minutes of a movie. That would destroy it for me ;-) >>
Don't tell me you get a CD of "Lost" episodes, put it on Play All and watch the lot in one go?
ROTFL ROTFL ROTFL Thanks for the hearty laugh! It adds a new spin to "al dente"/all dental! ROTFL
learning as I go
learning as I go
Thanks. I'm glad my question made sense. So you are in agreement that whether or not you have that additional subconscious processing time, it isn't necessary to denote items on notice for review because EVERY unactioned item above the first line will be on notice for review?Therefore the first line acts as the marker for on notice items.
Turning to your discussion with Mr. Forster regarding deleting right off instead of putting item "on notice" and then dealing with them the next time you are in the closed list: I'm fascinated by Mr. Forster's consistent consideration of the power of subconscious processing. I think with all his experience in this area he must be on to something. It seems to be one of the hallmarks of the AF system regardless which version.
It makes sense to me. Once you know that everything above the line is on notice, and that the next time you stop by they will be sorted into a delete pile and a rephrase-reenter pile, perhaps you start parallel processing which items aren't ripe, and why certain items are getting done, and how to rephrase items so they will be done. Next time you are there all of this has been subconsciously mulled over and the delete/reenter choice might be made intuitively and quicker in the long run.
Just a guess.
--Joseph
Here is a cleaned up and updated version of the "rules" as I understand them. I numbered the "rules" so as to make it easier to reference them. I also introduced the idea of the "third list" just because someone brought it up and it might merit some discussion. Since it is probably very very transient, I doubt it figures into things very much.
=====
Summary of AF4
The AF4 list structure -- AF4 consists of two lists (or list parts)
- The first is a closed list called "Backlog" (for the moment ... it might later be called the "Closed List")
- Second is an open list
- The two lists are treated as one with regard to where one is in the overall processing cycle. IOW, start tomorrow where you left off today.
[NOTE: There is possibly a third list, of a transient nature, which results from marking all tasks on the first list as "on notice for dismissal", moving the "line" to the end of the second list, and then adding new tasks after that line ... thus resulting in the temporary creation of the third list. This third list is quickly deleted when, on the next pass, all "on notice items are deleted. See the processing details for more information.]
The rules for processing AF4 are as follows:
1. The first ("Closed") list is cycled through repeatedly and items are actioned (if they stand out), or passed over
1.1. Actioned items are crossed out
1.1.1. If there is more work to be done (or the task is repetitive), it is added to the end of the second list.
1.2. If something was actioned in this pass and nothing further stands out
1.2.1. Move to the beginning of the second list and begin scanning/processing that list
1.3. If nothing was actioned in this pass of the first list
1.3.1. All items are put "on review"
1.3.2. The "backlog line" is moved to the end of the second list making all of that the new "backlog"
1.3.3. All new items are added after the new "backlog line"
1.4. On the next pass of the first list, after returning from working on the second "Open" list
1.4.1. Dismiss all "on notice" items
1.4.2. Add back any that seem to want to be done to the end of the second list (possibly rewording them)
2. The second ("Open") list is processed in only one pass each time it is entered
2.1. It is processed only when nothing stands out from the first list
2.2. As with the first list, if an item is actioned it is crossed off and re-added to the end (of the second, open, list) if there is more work to do or it is a repetitive item
=====
That is my best understanding so far. I'm sure there are more errors, so ... ;-)
>>> Don't tell me you get a CD of "Lost" episodes, put it on Play All and watch the lot in one go? <<<
I would not dream of it ;-) I've never seen "Lost". I switched it off after the first 2.5 minutes of the first show and have never wanted to watch it despite all the hype. ;-)
But in general, I see an "episode" as a complete thing. I watch individual West Wing shows because though they are related by characters and overall plot progression, they stand alone.
AF 4 is a simple task management system to keep track of things that need to be done, in the very near future. This system does not incorporate project management, routines or other items more easily handled by a calendar or checklist. The list easily manages reference these items.
The entire list is considered to be a whole. The whole is divided into two parts – open and closed. They are separated by a line. Above the line is the closed list, Below the line is an open list. They have different tactics to operate them effectively.
Above the Line – Closed List
- Cycle through this list over and over until there seems to be nothing further to do right now.
– Move to below the line.
Below the Line – Open List
- Do only one pass of the open part of the list continue through to the bottom, then head immediately back to the Closed section.
- Process the Closed list as above (over and over until there seems to be nothing further to do). At this point, before heading below the line, mark all unfinished tasks with a highlighter, as being on review.
- Then proceed to the very bottom of the list. Draw a line to mark this section of the list closed. All new tasks now go below this line.
- Carry on through the new “Closed” section until there appears to be nothing further to action at this time.
- Do another single pass through the open part of the list, continue through to the bottom, then head back to the “On Review- Highlighted” section.
When you reach this section, either delete the items in this section, or rewrite/rephrase them in the “Open” section of the list. The task is obviously not going to be carried out now, for whatever reason, so it’s time to let it go.
Now start to work thorough the “Closed Section” as at the first part, “over and over until there seem to be nothing further to do right now”.
Do one pass of the “Open” part of the list, then carry on back to the “Closed” Section, proceed as aforementioned.
At the end of the day, mark where you stopped working on the list, as a place to start in the morning, and work through the list again.
Having stumbled badly through v2 and v3(RAF), I can see how this one might work well for me. It's actually most like the original AF, which I did find to be the best of the bunch.
Yeah, to a lot of your assumptions. I'm trying to hold back with tweaks and such. I mean, Mark has not even released it yet and we are already trying to modify it. Imagine his frustration. LOL ;-)
So in my descriptions of the system, I've tried to remain completely faithful to what Mark has been doing. (At lest for now ... muuuuhahahaha ;-)
RE: Copy into notebook. Eeeek. Just print it and glue it in there ;-)
Yes, I'm certainly of the NO TWEAKS! camp. I've been using AF3 since it arrived without any tweaks at all!
I think my question was not so much indicating a tweak but wondering if the brackets for on notice are only for the sake of "the viewing audience".
--Joseph
I quibble with your use of the word "dismiss" in 1.4.1. In previous versions, we have (conf)used "dismiss" as shorthand for "mark for review", whereas here we mean "mark as if done".
Pedantry? Perhaps.
<< The problem is the "if" in your statement. Once the tasks are marked, they get deleted the next time. Immediately, not after nothing stands out again.>>
Yes, that is what I mean. Thank you for clarifying.
<< - Process the Closed list as above (over and over until there seems to be nothing further to do). At this point, before heading below the line, mark all unfinished tasks with a highlighter, as being on review. >>
If you do at least one task in the Closed list, then nothing is highlighted. Think of it as one big AF1 page - nothing is dismissed until no tasks stand out.
I do hope Mark can write some concrete instructions soon - everyone seems to have their own interpretation right now!
- Sabrina (also in Canada)
Well, I don't think we know enough yet. What does Mark do with the items he dismisses? He seems to mark them with a yellow highlighter, as before. Is there reason to think that he does not review them, from time to time, as before and re-add them at a later date? I have seen nothing to suggest that he is doing anything differently, other than adding some back in immediately.
My orientation was to assume as little as possible and just describe what he said and did. I'm sure he will speak to this when asked.
[Thanks, Andreas. I've corrected David's link. Mark]
The similarities are really interesting. AF4 is like a combination of AF1 and this method.
Yes, you're right. There is a very definite resemblance which is not coincidental.
However that system had several major drawbacks:
1) It didn't handle urgent items at all well.
2) Recurring tasks have different desirable frequencies. You probably want to clear your email more frequently than you have a Spanish lesson. If you've got three books and two movies on your list, do you really want to have to deal with all five of them before you can wash the dishes again?
3) Because you ended up with a chunk of difficult items with no way out, it tended to build up resistance to the list as a whole. So there was a big tendency to avoid working on the list.
So, yes, it was definitely part of my thinking along the way. But I had to work through several other ideas before I was able to solve these drawbacks.