Hi, I am a new user of OmniFocus. I've used a few other similar apps like iGTD and Things. I think this app has a lot of potential. But I have a workflow issue am wondering if I am just using it wrong. If not, I just don't think this app is for me.
I've noticed that when I create new "tasks" in the Inbox, that I have to set a project and a context before they leave the inbox. I find this takes more time than is necessary. Do I really have to provide that much information just to get something to appear in my contexts or Library?
For example, let's say I remember to "get milk at the store". If I create that and then set only the context to Errands, it won't appear under Errands. This is really silly. Do I really have to choose a project too? And what sort of project would I create for simple errands? I have projects like "Big Proposal" or "Computer Rebuild Project". I just don't see how "get milk at the store" belongs in a project.
Secondly, if I remember a task at work "send proposal", create it and set the project to "Major client project", but don't set a context the task will appear in my Library under "Major project" but will be grayed out. Again, do I really have to set a context before being able to interact with it?
I understand the benefits of setting both, but really aren't you just forcing a few more steps just to record this additional meta data (that may not always be useful)? Yes, many times I will be willing to record 3 pieces of data about each task, but there are times when I really only want to record 1 or 2 pieces of data. My whole idea of using an app like this is for it to be quick and useful, going through these extra steps makes it more burdensome than it's worth.
Finally, even if I do set all 3 pieces of information in the Inbox, do I really have to click "Clean Up" to these tasks to go the correct location?
All of this seems like a lot of unnecessary steps to capture and interact with my tasks. Also, I could completely be doing this wrong.
I would appreciate any comments or assistance.
I've noticed that when I create new "tasks" in the Inbox, that I have to set a project and a context before they leave the inbox. I find this takes more time than is necessary. Do I really have to provide that much information just to get something to appear in my contexts or Library?
For example, let's say I remember to "get milk at the store". If I create that and then set only the context to Errands, it won't appear under Errands. This is really silly. Do I really have to choose a project too? And what sort of project would I create for simple errands? I have projects like "Big Proposal" or "Computer Rebuild Project". I just don't see how "get milk at the store" belongs in a project.
Secondly, if I remember a task at work "send proposal", create it and set the project to "Major client project", but don't set a context the task will appear in my Library under "Major project" but will be grayed out. Again, do I really have to set a context before being able to interact with it?
I understand the benefits of setting both, but really aren't you just forcing a few more steps just to record this additional meta data (that may not always be useful)? Yes, many times I will be willing to record 3 pieces of data about each task, but there are times when I really only want to record 1 or 2 pieces of data. My whole idea of using an app like this is for it to be quick and useful, going through these extra steps makes it more burdensome than it's worth.
Finally, even if I do set all 3 pieces of information in the Inbox, do I really have to click "Clean Up" to these tasks to go the correct location?
All of this seems like a lot of unnecessary steps to capture and interact with my tasks. Also, I could completely be doing this wrong.
I would appreciate any comments or assistance.
Last edited by jsteven; 2008-03-15 at 12:11 PM..
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