I would talk about media backlog here. My list included: books, short stories, comics, games, movies and series. I would refer to this works as just items or entries, just for simplification. I also would use a verb “consume” without “consumerism” aspect, just as analogue of read/watch/play.

There is an eternal problem with backlog list: how to make it to stop growing. There so much I want to read, play, see. And so good recommendations.

There are several ways to fix this problem:

• Let it be. Consume stuff, add new stuff. Concerns: itching that it still growing.
• Nuke it, reach zen and start from scratch. Concerns: eventually you’ll return to this problem.
• Drop it, do not store anything. Concerns: it will still be in your head.
• Make some system and rules, try to reach Backlog Zero without nuke. Concerns: it will take some time.

I like systems, I like tinkering, so yeah, last way is my way.

The first thing I did is record current state. I have multiple lists in multiple notes, so to see the real picture I combined it in one note called “Backlog”. I checked all my analogue books and comics and check that they were in the list too. There were too many items, but I said to myself: it’s the first step, let’s move on.

Remark: do not tinker the appearance, that’s fine if you think it could help you, but save it for last. My note was as simple as possible: name of category (e.g. Books), subcategories if needed (e.g. fiction/non-fiction), and just list of books, with some comments that was copied from previous lists. Do not overcategorize it, especially with subcategories. List fullness is the main priority at this step.

Next step is to stop adding anything to this list until you make a principle how to do it.

Next – cleanup. Check each item thoroughly, do you really want it in your backlog? Do you really want to try it? It’s a “Fuck yeah” answer or some doubts? I removed a lot of movies, which were from some top-100 lists, but I didn’t really have a strong desire to watch them. There were duplicates too.

About accumulated physical analogue stuff - you can remove it, but you must decide what to do with real item. Is it in the “maybe” category or should it be donated/swapped.

If you remember why you want to try this item, who recommends it or other stuff – add it as comments to this entry. It’s good rule overall because with time some titles will stop provoking any memory splash. I removed some items without comments, because I really forgot why I want to consume it.

Make progress countable. If you use some software, there is a big chance it could do it for you. For the simple note I added simple counter at each category (e.g. “(1/30)”) and total counter. I might forget to change some of the numbers, but I need approximate just to feel progress.

By the way about feeling progress. Start with simple. You need some push at the beginning. I started with shortest short stories in my list and some NES/Sega games, which I want to explore – a few of them were in the “completed” list after half an hour, because they did not attract me.

One of the most important thing is to change your attitude toward that list. I already wrote about “Fuck Yeah” question, this is it. Items in the list should be ones you’re fully committed at least to try. It’s not something you must finish, no, drop it, if it’s boring, not interesting or simply not your cup of tea. It happens and it’s ok. Mark it as completed and go on.

You could cheat. Check nonfiction book summary before reading it in full form. Maybe you already understand main idea and that’s enough for you. Play demo to understand gameplay or play on easy difficulty if you feel that way. But remember – don’t do it to speed up your backlog, just for your specific optimal enjoyment of that item.

Have “maybe” lists. Those are items you maybe want to check but you’re not fully committed yet. Consider it as some kind of buffer. And don’t forget about comments.

Make up rule to add things to backlog. Mine is 2 items out, 1 item in. Approximately, if I want to.

Keep the tempo. It shouldn’t be everyday activity, but don’t forget about backlog.

What about new things? New movies in the cinema, other books of amazing new author whose book you have just read. Watch it, read it, play it without regrets. Backlog is not a thing that should restrict you. Just consume it now, without adding to the lists. Otherwise add it to maybe category or to backlog, but following your rule.

Additional ideas:

• Make sprints if you feel it. But remember, backlog is a marathon and not your purpose of life.
• Make experiments. I read about cool idea to assemble a physical box of stuff and only take things out of it for a month.
• Make periodic checks and cleanups. Is full list still actual? Maybe you’ve watched some movies of some director and decided you’ve had enough of them, but their other movies are still in the list?

So about my backlog. I have 300+ items at first step, with already formed “maybe” lists outside. I shortened it to 270 items and now after a month and a half I already made through 50+ items (~20%). Yeah, speed will decrease, as at first it was short stories, comics, games. But I started, already enjoyed many cool things and been disappointed in some of them. That’s cool.