The Item Hierarchy in v0.8 Parents and children When we want to get something done - like, say, get a web-package to manage my task list - then usually I can't do it in one action: it gets broken down into several tasks. So, I create a project "get a web-package to manage my task list", and then I set out what the very next thing I have to do, to start making that happen: "search web for existing GTD software". That's a next action, and the sole reason I'm doing it is to get one step closer to making the project happen. A lot of the things I do are very specific, with a definable completion status - they are projects. A description of the hierarchy In 0.8, the hierarchy of projects and actions that form the core of the GTD productivity system, has been extended as follows: Values -> Vision -> Roles -> Goals -> Projects -> Actions This is a synthesis of the hierarchy set out in Covey (needs reference) , with the runway-50,000ft analogy set out in the GTD book. For these four categories: You can use it as you see fit.
Using a Traditional Paper Notebook with Evernote I live in Evernote. It has quickly become one of my most important software tools. I especially liked using it with my iPad. However, I gradually stopped using my iPad after buying a Macbook Air. I ultimately gave it away to a colleague. So for now, I have returned to a traditional paper-based notepad for taking meeting notes. If you are just getting started with Evernote, I suggest that you buy Brett Kelly’s remarkably practical e-book, Evernote Essentials, Second Edition. But how do you get these notes into Evernote, so they are accessible later? Recently, I created a new workflow that I am really liking. I replaced my Moleskine notebook with an EcoSystems notebook. The value of this system for me is that it is the perfect blend of old-world and new-world technology. Question: How do you process meeting notes? Want to launch your own blog or upgrade to self-hosted WordPress?
Time management systems - how to choose from the leading systems. Time Management Systems - There are many time management systems available today. An effective system is a key part of getting control of your time. Most people need some sort of a system to save time and make time -- because it is pretty much impossible to keep it all in your head.We like to save you time so we have summarized the key aspects of some of the leading systems available. The Systems we have selected for this overview are: Getting Things Done - GTD - David Allen Time Management Franklin Time Management -- Fraklin Covey Time Power -- Brian Tracy Time Managament from the Inside Out -- Julie Morgenstern Firstly lets look at why you should consider using a System at all. The idea of a System is that it captures all key information. Next we move on to what we suggest you look for as a starting point for your System. Look for a System that includes: 1. Please note, that we are talking about a system here, not a planner or diary. So, we have summarised 4 leading systems for you.
How to Use Evernote with an iPad to Take Meeting Notes In 2004, I bought a Toshiba Tablet PC. I had hoped I could use it for taking notes in meetings, using Microsoft’s OneNote software. However, after a few months, I gave up. However, a few weeks ago, I was sitting in a meeting with one of our authors. If you are just getting started with Evernote, I suggest that you buy Brett Kelly’s remarkably practical e-book, Evernote Essentials, Second Edition. Although I had bought an iPad, I wasn’t that impressed with it. Watching these people type into their iPads made me re-think my position. Since that time, I have replaced my faithful Moleskine notebook with an iPad running Evernote. Here’s why: The iPad is just a little bigger than my Moleskine notebook. I have adapted my paper note-taking system to Evernote, using the following notations symbols for the four types of items that require follow-up: If an item is particularly important or insightful, I put a double exclamation mark in front of it, like this: !! The system is not perfect.
GTD in 15 minutes – A Pragmatic Guide to Getting Things Done GTD—or “Getting things done”—is a framework for organizing and tracking your tasks and projects. Its aim is a bit higher than just “getting things done”, though. (It should have been called “Getting things done in a much better way than just letting things happen, which often turns out not to be very cool at all”.) Its aim is to make you have 100% trust in a system for collecting tasks, ideas, and projects—both vague things like “invent greatest thing ever” and concrete things like “call Ada 25 August to discuss cheesecake recipe”. Sound like all other run-of-the-mill to-do list systems, you say? One of the basic assumptions of GTD is that you are dumb—or, rather, that your subconsciousness is quite dumb when it comes to thinking about things you should have done. Jessica Kerr put it perfectly: Pretend your brain is a white board. A great part of the “magic” is to convert both tasks and whims into physical and visible actions as you soon will see. Awesome! Agenda contexts But… why‽
4 Cool Things You Can Do With Wappwolf and ifttt Wappwolf and ifttt are a bit like the chocolate and peanut butter in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Separate, they're pretty good. Together, though, is when the magic happens. For folks new to the services, Wappwolf is an application that performs actions when you drop a file into your Dropbox. ifttt, on the other hand, can interact with websites and services and then do things like send an email or save a file in Dropbox. Let's take a look at a several ways to combine the services for maximum effect: For example, Wappwolf can watch Dropbox and convert files to Kindle format and then send them to your Kindle. ifttt might watch Instagram or Flickr for photos, and save them to your Dropbox when they appear. Separately, they're pretty handy. (If you haven't tried Wappwolf or ifttt before, don't worry. 1. Start with Wappwolf and create an action for the appropriate folder. Next, go to ifttt and choose the Email channel. Don't care for text messages? 2. 3. 4. Patience Is a Virtue
Org Glossary: An Explanation of Basic Org-Mode Concepts One of the most common questions for new (and seasoned) users of org-mode is how to organize agenda files. Should you put everything in one big file organized by project? Should you create a new file for each project? Or should you have separate "containers" for different types of data: i.e., one file (or subtree) for appointments, one for reference, one for todos, and so on. The short answer: it doesn't matter. If you are using org-mode for the first time, the simplest approach may be to use a single file and to enter projects or todos as the appear. Perhaps the main consideration in organizing your files is to consider inheritance and restriction. An example: If you'd like all your appointments to belong to the category "appts", then it probably doesn't make sense to scatter them as first level headings among multiple files.
Simplifying David Allen’s Complicated GTD Setup Every Monday is Productivity & Organization Day at Zen Habits. Take a look at the setup on the right. It was published in a recent CNNMoney article on David Allen and GTD, and it outlines The David’s GTD setup. It’s way too complicated. That’s just my opinion, of course, but the master of GTD is a living example of how GTD is a great system that has great concepts, but can get way too tool-heavy and complicated when implemented. It doesn’t have to be that way. There’s no reason GTD has to be so complicated. Let’s do a David Allen vs. David’s Tools A five-tray desktop inboxA laptop with USB hub for iPod, camera, cell phone, labeler, digital recorder, external hard drivePalm Treo organizer and cell phoneLotus Notes software for all GTD stuff and email; Word, Excel, PowerPointTwo-drawer file cabinetBriefcase5 plastic travel file foldersDesktop organizer Leo’s Tools pocket Moleskine notebook & pensingle-tray desktop inboxdesktop computerFirefox browser; Gmail, Google Docs, WordPress That’s it.
Forums : Tips & Tricks : My Setup to Semi-automate Gmail, Toodledo, Evernote and Calendar Here's the system I've put together to implement GTD using Evernote, Toodledo, Gmail and several add-ons that provide for automated functionality. It all starts with Gmail. This is where most things “start” in my business and personal life. In comes an email and something has to be done (task) or scheduled (event). First thing is to get it into Evernote. To get the email into Evernote I use a Google script from HarryOnline.net called “gm2en” This script has some configuration choices. Back in Evernote all my emails of interest are now in my default notebook and tagged with “Gmail.” Finally, if the “note” created in Evernote from the email requires a calendar entry (event in Google Calendar), then TaskClone handles that, too. Evernote Premium, Toodledo subscription and TaskClone all cost money.
5 Steps to Set -- and Achieve -- Your Business Goals Are you making progress on your business goals for the year yet? If not, consider taking a more strategic approach to business growth by setting measurable (and realistic) goals, planning for obstacles, preparing for change and, ultimately, having a better and more clearly defined purpose for your business and your team. Below are five things you can start doing now to help you strategically dominate your competition: No. 1: Strategic Goal Planning It’s one thing to set a goal for the future, but how accurately are you keeping track of your accomplishments? What systems do you have in place to keep you on target? Writing your goals down is the first step, of course, but that’s just the beginning. Write down what you want to accomplish this year, then take a step back… What do you need to do this month to realize that goal? Most people fail to achieve their goals because they have a flawed process, set unattainably high expectations, or because they set goals that do not inspire them.
7 Laws of Good Time Management Good time management skills can make a world of difference in your personal and professional lives. In most cases, we begin to pick up our time management habits in primary school, but really hone those skills later in life – when our parents aren’t around to watch our every move. Later on, we’ll translate the life lessons learned in education into the time management principles that allow us to balance both personal activities and professional responsibilities. At work, time management is one of the most important skills you have. A good worker gets things done with time left over – and bosses take notice of workers who are able to achieve this. Law #1 – Write lists You may think that you can keep all of your daily “to do” tasks organized in your brain. Writing lists should be one of your top time management tools. Law #2 – Set priorities Now that you’ve got your list finished, go through it again in order to determine which tasks should take precedence. Law #4 – Focus on essentials