Using time tags to easily review tasks
gregorius says:
I have many different views on my tasks, which I use to get an overview of all my tasks depending on the context. For example, I use the classic GTD method of setting contexts (such as @supermarket, @computer, @home, @phone etc) to see context-related tasks. In RTM I use locations for this purpose.
A new one I've come up with time-related context. I have a set of time-related tags that I apply to my tasks, as follows:
t_immediate
t_maybe
t_reference
t_reminders
t_someday
t_soon
t_travelcountdown
t_waiting
I ensure that every single task in my list contains at least one of these tags. I can then view the tag to review time-sorted tasks (for example, clicking the t_immediate tag will show only the tasks that I can do immediately - this is the tag i view on a daily basis. Next is t_soon, which i'll review at least once every couple of days to see if i need to move anything into t_immediate. t_someday and t_maybe i'll review every week or so to see if i want to move any of them into more immediate timeframes, etc)
Next, to ensure i stick to the system, i made a Smart List named t_none with the following search phrase:
"Not(tag:t_immediate or tag:t_soon or tag:t_someday or tag:t_maybe or tag:t_waiting or tag:t_reminders or list:reference or list:z_archived or tag:t_travelCountdown or tag:t_reference)"
This smart list basically just notifies me if any tasks in any of my lists does not have a time-tag set, and prevents me overlooking tasks when using my time-tag system to view all my tasks.
I've been using this system for a few weeks now, and find it works really well for me. It helps me get a grip on everything that's on my plate right now, and whats coming up, and thereby allows me to plan my time accordingly. I still use my Locations for context-specific task lists (eg: when i'm at the supermarket i'll pull up the @supermarket location to see what i need to buy), and the lists to separate my tasks (eg: Freelancing, Personal, Home Computer, Travel Planning, etc).
I hope this helps some of you out there get more organised with this fantastic tool which helps to remember so much more than just the milk. :)
A new one I've come up with time-related context. I have a set of time-related tags that I apply to my tasks, as follows:
t_immediate
t_maybe
t_reference
t_reminders
t_someday
t_soon
t_travelcountdown
t_waiting
I ensure that every single task in my list contains at least one of these tags. I can then view the tag to review time-sorted tasks (for example, clicking the t_immediate tag will show only the tasks that I can do immediately - this is the tag i view on a daily basis. Next is t_soon, which i'll review at least once every couple of days to see if i need to move anything into t_immediate. t_someday and t_maybe i'll review every week or so to see if i want to move any of them into more immediate timeframes, etc)
Next, to ensure i stick to the system, i made a Smart List named t_none with the following search phrase:
"Not(tag:t_immediate or tag:t_soon or tag:t_someday or tag:t_maybe or tag:t_waiting or tag:t_reminders or list:reference or list:z_archived or tag:t_travelCountdown or tag:t_reference)"
This smart list basically just notifies me if any tasks in any of my lists does not have a time-tag set, and prevents me overlooking tasks when using my time-tag system to view all my tasks.
I've been using this system for a few weeks now, and find it works really well for me. It helps me get a grip on everything that's on my plate right now, and whats coming up, and thereby allows me to plan my time accordingly. I still use my Locations for context-specific task lists (eg: when i'm at the supermarket i'll pull up the @supermarket location to see what i need to buy), and the lists to separate my tasks (eg: Freelancing, Personal, Home Computer, Travel Planning, etc).
I hope this helps some of you out there get more organised with this fantastic tool which helps to remember so much more than just the milk. :)
(closed account) says:
An easier Smart List would be
NOT tagContains:t_
NOT tagContains:t_
Log in
to post a reply.