[glasside]

Hi there

I'm also A passenger in this boat. The solution I came to was similar to whpalmer4's second option. On my iPhone I use and app called Due called for all the repetitive task I have, I then have a task in OF to remind me to check The "Due" app along with my weekly review.

Due allows me to schedule repetitive tasks and I use 9am as a time to remind me of non-time-critical tasks for the day. I find this way I can keep my OF clear of clutter.

For me in terms of GTD I find that there is sometimes an area that sits somewhere between task management and calendaring - it's as if either could fulfill the need, but, for me, a third element to the system really helps. I've found that using this system I can rest assured that these things are out of my mind and in my system.

[julienl]

Hi

I have many similar lists of tasks for daily/weekly routines and also for things that are not necessarily periodic such as what to do before leaving on a business or personal trip, bagages, what to prepare for a music rehearsal, etc.

I even include in this groceries for home and for the cottage, mowing the lawns, etc.

I love doing everything in OF and created a folder "checklists" for those. I simply focus and/or put projects on hold/active as needed. I can check/uncheck in batch on the mac version.

If I have to remember absolutely to go to the grocery I might create a task "stop by grocery" flagged or with a due date, or flag the critical item for the list.

I have to say that until now I regularly delete completed tasks (not part of the checklists!) rather than archive. For work for example I keep them around a little bit until I'm paid or reviewed with client. Anything important has some emails, doc, etc.


I keep a recurring reminder tasks for things that are a bit more time sensitive like garbage or paying bills. By setting a start date the color is different so it feels less cluttered, and it helps me schedule things better. Then again, it might be because of my highly "mobile" lifestyle, but I hope it helps.

[Stargazer]

Why not use another application along with OF? There are lots of simple to do checklist apps that are free. Put your checklists in one of those and include a pointer in OF to that list.

[julienl]

Well, on my Mac, I do use other applications, in particular OmniOutliner. I also use iCal and the ipod calendar for "fixed date" stuff. With that said:

1. For me, a huge benefit of starting to work in a more GTD-like manner is to stop using many different ways to do things and concentrate mostly on one "system/tool". Or rather, to do it for trivial stuff and keep the distinct tools for what I really need more "specialized" tools (for me, computer-related work and music, for which I always carry pen and paper and a bunch of software installed on my laptop, plus other hardware and music instruments).

2. Those lists are not static, they evolve over time and with new experiences, so I like to be able to make them evolve easily with the quick data entry and shortcuts provided by OF. On the ipod touch (which is what I use), data entry is already hard enough compared to on my main computer so I appreciate it even more. I also like in general the look and feel, I would use OmniOutliner for iphone if it existed, so I might be compensating! :)

3. I'm still figuring out how to apply GTD/OF for my personal needs so what I describe here is maybe the 4th or 5th iteration, and it's convenient to have those things all in one system so I can still move things around until they're more static, at which point I might consider a different method. For example right now I'm traveling and I can tell you that the hours in plane or train have never been so productive! I cleaned up many projects and reoarganized the way I group them, part of the result is this "checklist" folder that worked very well for the past weeks.

4. Sometimes I do want to create an "on the fly" perspective for example making a grocery list out of a recipe. Or flag a specific task that usually is not critical but today is (getting the garbage out before a very long trip, while usually skipping a garbage day is not an issue). If I can just flag it instead of copying it or typing it, it's already a "win". If it gets automatically in my perspective for the "once in a while" time I need it, great too. Similarly, if I need to buy a new piece of equipment from a list, I'll simply change the context to the proper "errand" context and it will be there when I need it.

For me it is all very similar to the "grocery list" that has been discussed in some threads I've seen and seem a "valid" use of OmniFocus (I'm still new at all of it and don't want to sound close-minded or anything like that, I'm really curious to know how others are working with it).

I would say, for now, it doesn't feel like OF gets in the way, or at least it is easier and more "comfortable" than anything I've done before, and using too much other programs seem like extra work. "Where did I save this text file?" "What was the name of xxx?" "this is on my laptop back home", etc.

I'm curious, how can I make a link to another app in OF (ipod/iphone)?

Also, I'm curious about any suggestion for "checklists" apps, I had tried many before getting to OmniFocus, but none had seem to do the job.

Thanks!

Julien

[julienl]

Still thinking about this, I would ask the "reverse question", what would I gain by using another software?

Thanks!

Julien

[Lizard]

I also use Due for daily reminders. I have to take medication 3 times a day. Because reminding you about something at a certain time of day is basically ALL that Due does, it can really focus on how to do it well. When I get an alert that something's due, I can snooze it for 10 minutes or an hour or even a day. (Of course, I can also just mark it done!)

While I can't speak for certain, I don't think OmniFocus is likely to add that many "snooze" options to alerts. They would be in the way of all the other things that people need for handling their less routine tasks.

[Vramin]

I use Due in addition to OF as well. It works annoyingly well. :)

[wheat]

Originally Posted by julienl

Also, I'm curious about any suggestion for "checklists" apps, I had tried many before getting to OmniFocus, but none had seem to do the job.

One option is Paperless: Lists + Checklists:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paper...359564368?mt=8

There's a lite version, if you'd like to try it out before you buy.

I used to use Paperless for this sort of thing (and for vacation packing lists and such). Now, I prefer to keep this sort of thing in a text file on Dropbox. This gives me easy access to it from any computer. From my iPhone, I use the excellent Elements text editor, which syncs with Dropbox, so I can read/write access to them on the go.

Elements: Dropbox and Markdown Powered Text Editor:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eleme...382752422?mt=8

[Christian]

Why do you want to use another software in addition to OF that does what OF does? You can easily make lists in OF...