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Originally Posted by InAccuFacts
Would love to hear what works for you!
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Hi,
Well, I am using folders to basically act as "Areas" I suppose. For example, I have a folder for things I want or need to buy. I have a folder for "writing" projects. I have one for "web" projects, one for "travel," "photography," "fun" and one for my place in Los Angeles and one for my parents' house in San Diego where I often help out with things. There are more, about 17 total.
Projects get organized into each of these folders. In "Buy," I'll have separate projects for software, hardware, food, kitchen, etc., things I need to purchase. In "Writing," I'll have a separate project for each, and so on, but I'm sure this was obvious.
I used to have a "Miscellany" folder, but that became too much of a lazy way out. The Inbox is basically that, and now, I force every item to be organized into a folder. As of now, my 17 folders cover all the bases, but there could be others added in the future.
I do also have an "Organize" folder in which I have created projects that specifically involve organization. For example, my photos were a mess and not organized, so that became a task. I spent an hour a day on it, and finally got it done in a week or so.
I then have corresponding folders on my computer for each of these, and subfolders for each project. In those, I keep anything that's relevant. For example, any research for a writing project, web links for things I need to buy, etc.
One major mistake I made was trying to use OmniFocus as an information manager, which it is not. The "quick entry" window was so awesome that I'd stick everything in there. Now, I use a journaling app (Circus Ponies Notebook) for that, along with DEVONthink Pro for major projects, and I'm still trying to find the perfect system for tagging files as they come in. It will likely be a combination of Default Folder X, Hazel, Path Finder, and something like Together and/ or Leap. This is going to be a system where things get organized as they come in, and not all dumped into a folder for organization later.
To distill my usage of OmniFocus down even more, I do stick pretty closely to David Allen's GTD philosophy. I absolutely believe that when your mind is clear, you can focus and you can motivate to "do".
Try to focus on a single project, and really listen to your internal dialogue when you find yourself fighting doing anything about it. Are the steps not clear? Do you get frustrated by that? How can you make it better? This goes against some of Allen's GTD, but you need to find your own way.
So, OmniFocus is a tool for planning and acting. That's it. When I can see plainly the steps to get something to completion, it's very easy for me to then jump on it.
Finally, I'm not a person who follows a set schedule. If today I feel like messing around with web design, then cool, that's what I'll do. If I feel like getting out of the house, then I'll go do some errands. What OmniFocus allows me to do is easily transition into any of these modes. And this is probably why I have trouble with the notion of "Contexts." I never say, "I'm going to the hardware store. What do I need there?" Instead, I'll say, "I really feel like fixing up these vintage cameras!" And then, I'll do what needs to be done.
Hope this helps!