My RTM Journey
derek.conjar says:
The whole RTM task cloud powerhouse was just too complicated and required too much tagging.
About a month before the iPhone app store opened up, I started using Omnifocus. However I found the system way too cluttered and overcomplicated, and most of the thanks for that can go to Merlin Mann. Syncing required too much extra work, and just wasn't tolerable.
I really wanted to switch to native apps. I was using Daylite CRM suite, Apple Mail, Omnifocus...but I couldn't break my dependence on web apps.
I'm back to RTM. My Gmail is thoroughly pimped. I modified Google Addons so that I can access Gcal, RTM (full version), and Evernote from right within the Gmail window. I'm also using the RTM for Gmail extension, GTDinbox, and the Globex Designs Google skins. I had to poke around for a while in the javascript and CSS to make everything work right, but I've got a great system now.
I don't need a complete CRM. Gmail gets the job done for contact connections and recording conversations. Evernote is exceptional with reference, but their web app is much better than their native Mac app.
Here's how I'm rocking task management:
1) Native sync
I use Todo.app on my iPhone to bring a beautiful and simple native iPhone interface to RTM.
2) Complete simplicity
Todo.app on my iPhone syncs with RTM but doesn't support tagging. THAT IS NOT A BAD THING! Complicated tagging systems to apply context, project, and other properties to tasks caused me to drift away from RTM.
If I don't have thousands of tasks, I don't need to link my projects with my tasks. In fact, all of my actions are now next actions. My projects include notes of the steps that I anticipate for that project, but I only work with current tasks.
Here are my lists:
- Inbox
- @Computer
- @Errands
- @Home
- @Phone
- @Read/Review
- @School
- Exercises
- Goals
- Opportunities
- Projects
- Someday/Maybe
- Waiting
- Wish List
My only smart lists are an "all" list where it displays everything, and a "task" list where it displays all of my active tasks.
3) Seamless Integration
I use the RTM feed for Google Calendar. I have the Gmail RTM extension installed. I have simple domain emails and URL's forwarding to the tools that I use, such as RTM and Gcal. As I stated before, RTM, Gcal, and Evernote are all integrated within the Gmail interface. I don't need to open a new tab. It loads instantly, and I just have to click on the same link to return to Gmail.
GTDinbox makes it easy to manage my email, and it's all I really need to manage actionable tasks. I'm also working on adapting the Gmail GTD Tickler script to Google Apps.
I feel like I've finally found the ideal system. I'll definitely post a detailed blog on it once I know everything is almost perfect.
About a month before the iPhone app store opened up, I started using Omnifocus. However I found the system way too cluttered and overcomplicated, and most of the thanks for that can go to Merlin Mann. Syncing required too much extra work, and just wasn't tolerable.
I really wanted to switch to native apps. I was using Daylite CRM suite, Apple Mail, Omnifocus...but I couldn't break my dependence on web apps.
I'm back to RTM. My Gmail is thoroughly pimped. I modified Google Addons so that I can access Gcal, RTM (full version), and Evernote from right within the Gmail window. I'm also using the RTM for Gmail extension, GTDinbox, and the Globex Designs Google skins. I had to poke around for a while in the javascript and CSS to make everything work right, but I've got a great system now.
I don't need a complete CRM. Gmail gets the job done for contact connections and recording conversations. Evernote is exceptional with reference, but their web app is much better than their native Mac app.
Here's how I'm rocking task management:
1) Native sync
I use Todo.app on my iPhone to bring a beautiful and simple native iPhone interface to RTM.
2) Complete simplicity
Todo.app on my iPhone syncs with RTM but doesn't support tagging. THAT IS NOT A BAD THING! Complicated tagging systems to apply context, project, and other properties to tasks caused me to drift away from RTM.
If I don't have thousands of tasks, I don't need to link my projects with my tasks. In fact, all of my actions are now next actions. My projects include notes of the steps that I anticipate for that project, but I only work with current tasks.
Here are my lists:
- Inbox
- @Computer
- @Errands
- @Home
- @Phone
- @Read/Review
- @School
- Exercises
- Goals
- Opportunities
- Projects
- Someday/Maybe
- Waiting
- Wish List
My only smart lists are an "all" list where it displays everything, and a "task" list where it displays all of my active tasks.
3) Seamless Integration
I use the RTM feed for Google Calendar. I have the Gmail RTM extension installed. I have simple domain emails and URL's forwarding to the tools that I use, such as RTM and Gcal. As I stated before, RTM, Gcal, and Evernote are all integrated within the Gmail interface. I don't need to open a new tab. It loads instantly, and I just have to click on the same link to return to Gmail.
GTDinbox makes it easy to manage my email, and it's all I really need to manage actionable tasks. I'm also working on adapting the Gmail GTD Tickler script to Google Apps.
I feel like I've finally found the ideal system. I'll definitely post a detailed blog on it once I know everything is almost perfect.
(closed account) says:
Thanks for sharing that Derek. I've not been comfortable with tagging for a while now and have also been frustrated that Todo on the iPhone doesn't do tags, but because I never really use them I might look at redoing my lists in line with your system.
One question - what do you use to integrate Evernote into Gmail?
One question - what do you use to integrate Evernote into Gmail?
derek.conjar says:
I use Gmail Addons. You can download it at Userscripts.com.
What I did was download one of the extra Gmail Addons, like the one for Google Docs or Google Reader. This adds another link to the Gmail Addons extension.
When you first install Gmail Addons, it adds links for "Calendar," "Chat," and "Prefs." To integrate RTM fully into Gmail, I simply click on the "Prefs" link and changed "Chat" to "Tasks," and changed the URL to rememberthemilk.com.
Then I installed one of the additional Gmail Addons scripts, changed its name to "Notes" and linked it to evernote.com.
I also have the RTM for Gmail extension, Better Gmail 2 and Better Gcal, the Google Redesigned extension, and I tweaked a lot of javascript to make it work right and look beautiful.
What I did was download one of the extra Gmail Addons, like the one for Google Docs or Google Reader. This adds another link to the Gmail Addons extension.
When you first install Gmail Addons, it adds links for "Calendar," "Chat," and "Prefs." To integrate RTM fully into Gmail, I simply click on the "Prefs" link and changed "Chat" to "Tasks," and changed the URL to rememberthemilk.com.
Then I installed one of the additional Gmail Addons scripts, changed its name to "Notes" and linked it to evernote.com.
I also have the RTM for Gmail extension, Better Gmail 2 and Better Gcal, the Google Redesigned extension, and I tweaked a lot of javascript to make it work right and look beautiful.
akohlsmith says:
You mention your lists... but you only have one smart list (All)
Why do you have lists of @computer, @home, @work etc.? Doesn't this mean you can't have a task that is both @work and @call, for example?
I am very new to RTM; I would have thought that you would tag tasks with @computer, @call, etc. and that lists were more for broader organization (projects, etc.)
Why do you have lists of @computer, @home, @work etc.? Doesn't this mean you can't have a task that is both @work and @call, for example?
I am very new to RTM; I would have thought that you would tag tasks with @computer, @call, etc. and that lists were more for broader organization (projects, etc.)
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