Contexts - What if you only have 1

[Lmalnati]

I essentially do all my work on the computer. I make very few calls, few agendas, etc. Thus my entire NA list is @Computer for the context. Do I need to create sub contexts such as @MS Excel @MS Access...OR do I then need to default to Priority, Energy, and Time ?

 

[Jamie Elis]

your preference

Putting N/As in contexts is just a way of classifying them and needs to be done only in so far as it is useful for you. Different users have different contexts and David's are probably the most common but may be excessive for some and incomplete for another. With all your actions @computer, I would think you might find it useful to have a list of "waiting for", @adgenda for things you need to tell or send to people. If you find it easier to work with one type of program at a time you might want to use them as contexts, especially if one is slower to load or close, or you can copy and paste in someway such as templates, or headings. I can imagine a musician who practices more than one instrument having a list for each instrument.

 

[TesTeq]

Any whole number (greater than 0) of contexts is OK if it works for you.

Do I need to create sub contexts such as @MS Excel @MS Access?

No.

Do not create contexts just for the sake of creating them. Any whole number (greater than 0) of contexts is OK if it works for you.

On the other hand according to Monty Python three is the number:

Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it. ​

 

[klyakh]

I essentially do all my work on the computer. I make very few calls, few agendas, etc. Thus my entire NA list is @Computer for the context. Do I need to create sub contexts such as @MS Excel @MS Access...OR do I then need to default to Priority, Energy, and Time ?

It looks like you are putting only work related items in your system. How about items related to something you have to do at home, errands, read/review? Potentially you can gain much bigger effect from GTD if you put both personal and professional things into your system.

 

[Oogiem]

I essentially do all my work on the computer. I make very few calls, few agendas, etc. Thus my entire NA list is @Computer for the context. Do I need to create sub contexts such as @MS Excel @MS Access...OR do I then need to default to Priority, Energy, and Time ?

Maybe maybe not. Are you happy with how the work side is working? Are there too many actions on it for you to effectively choose one quickly?

But I second the concern that you are missing out on what is for me the bigger benefit of GTD. Where are the actions for reading, your hobbies, planning for a trip, special dinner to make for Valentine's Day, the niggling housework items, the landscaping changes you want to make in spring, the stuff for any charities or groups you belong to? Not everything you need to do can possibly all be done on a computer....

If the work side is working then leave it alone. But look more closely at how to improve your collection and organization to include all the projects you have on your plate.

 

[Gardener]

Almost all of my work is on the computer, but I still have contexts. The contexts list shifts periodically; right now a sample is:

Design
Coding
Testing
Mindless
Thinking
Writing
Email
Paperwork
Waiting
UploadDownload (This one is useful for checking before I go off to lunch, to see if I have anything big that I want to move.)
Meta (These are tasks related to my GTD system)
Agenda (Items that require communication with other people)

Gardener