# Action Method

> Productivity system created by Behance founder Scott Belsky that organizes projects into Action Steps, Backburner Items, and References. Emphasizes bias toward action by breaking everything into concrete next steps, ensuring projects move forward rather than remaining aspirational.

- **URL:** https://www.larksuite.com/en_us/topics/productivity-glossary/action-method
- **Category:** Practices
- **Tags:** project-organization, Task Management, Methodology
- **Updated:** 2026-03-14 15:50
- **Canonical page:** https://timetrack.works/pt/items/action-method

## Details

## Overview

The Action Method is a productivity system developed by Scott Belsky, founder of Behance, designed to transform ideas into action by organizing all projects into three core elements: Action Steps, Backburner Items, and References.

## Core Components

### Action Steps
**Definition**: Concrete, specific tasks that move projects forward

**Characteristics**:
- Start with verbs (Call, Email, Draft, Research)
- Single, clear actions
- Can be completed
- Assigned to someone
- Have due dates when needed

**Examples**:
- "Call John about budget approval"
- "Draft outline for Q2 presentation"
- "Email Sarah the project timeline"

**Not Action Steps**:
- "Think about marketing strategy" (too vague)
- "Website redesign" (too broad)
- "Be more organized" (not specific)

### Backburner Items
**Definition**: Ideas or items to address later

**Purpose**:
- Capture good ideas without cluttering active work
- Prevent forgetting potentially valuable thoughts
- Keep focus on current action steps
- Review periodically to promote to action steps

**Examples**:
- Future project ideas
- Long-term improvements
- Interesting concepts to explore
- Potential opportunities

### References
**Definition**: Supporting materials, information, and resources

**Types**:
- Meeting notes
- Research documents
- Sketches and designs
- Inspiration and examples
- Contact information
- Related files

**Purpose**: Everything you might need but isn't an action

## Key Principles

### Everything is a Project
The Action Method treats all work as projects:
- Each project has Action Steps
- Each project has Backburner and References
- Even ongoing work becomes a project
- Personal and professional both qualify

### Bias Toward Action
**Philosophy**: Ideas mean nothing without execution

**Implementation**:
- Every meeting must generate action steps
- Every conversation should produce next steps
- Every project needs concrete actions
- No project exists without action steps

**Rule**: If a project has no action steps, it's dead

### Action Steps Drive Progress
- Ideas alone don't move projects forward
- Only completed action steps create progress
- Focus on what can be done, not just discussed
- Measure progress by actions taken

## How to Use the Action Method

### Step 1: Organize by Project

1. List all active projects
2. Create project "spaces" for each
3. Include work and personal projects
4. Keep projects manageable in size

### Step 2: Break Down to Actions

For each project:
1. What's the very next physical action?
2. Create action step starting with verb
3. Make it specific and completable
4. Assign to someone (often yourself)
5. Add deadline if time-sensitive

### Step 3: Capture Backburner Items

- Record ideas that aren't immediate priorities
- Note potential improvements
- Capture "someday/maybe" items
- Keep separate from active actions

### Step 4: Store References

- Attach relevant documents
- Link related resources
- Keep everything project-related together
- Easy access when needed

### Step 5: Regular Review

**Daily**: 
- Review action steps
- Complete what you can
- Add new actions as needed

**Weekly**:
- Review all projects
- Promote backburner items if appropriate
- Archive completed projects
- Ensure every active project has next actions

## Meeting Protocol

### During Meetings
1. Capture action steps as discussed
2. Assign each action to specific person
3. Set deadlines collaboratively
4. Don't leave without actions identified

### After Meetings
1. Share action steps with attendees
2. Add action steps to your system
3. Reference notes as needed
4. Follow up on commitments

## Benefits

### Clarity
- Always know next step for each project
- No ambiguity about what to do
- Clear ownership of actions
- Concrete progress markers

### Momentum
- Focus on what can be done now
- Small actions build progress
- Completed actions motivate
- Projects actually move forward

### Reduced Overwhelm
- Big projects broken into small steps
- Focus on one action at a time
- Backburner captures future ideas
- Less mental clutter

### Accountability
- Actions assigned to people
- Deadlines create urgency
- Clear expectations
- Easy to track commitments

## Common Mistakes

### Vague Action Steps
**Problem**: "Work on website" isn't actionable
**Solution**: "Draft homepage copy for website"

### Too Many Active Projects
**Problem**: Spread thin across dozens of projects
**Solution**: Limit active projects, move others to backburner

### Actions Without Projects
**Problem**: Scattered to-do list items
**Solution**: Associate every action with a project

### Neglecting Backburner Review
**Problem**: Good ideas forgotten
**Solution**: Weekly backburner review

## Tools for Action Method

### Digital Options
- **Action Method Online**: Belsky's original platform (discontinued)
- **Basecamp**: Projects with to-dos and docs
- **Asana**: Projects, tasks, notes
- **Notion**: Databases for projects, actions, backburner
- **Todoist**: Projects with tasks and comments

### Analog Option
- Action Method notebook (still available)
- Divide pages into three sections
- Physical satisfaction of checking off

## Integration with Other Methods

### With GTD
- Projects align with GTD projects
- Action steps are next actions
- Backburner like someday/maybe
- References similar to GTD reference

### With Agile
- Projects like epics
- Action steps like user stories
- Backburner like product backlog
- Sprint planning pulls from backburner

## Ideal For

- Creative professionals
- Project managers
- Team leaders
- Anyone with multiple ongoing projects
- People who generate lots of ideas
- Those struggling to execute on plans

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