Help with GTD apps and widgets

Kevin1982

Kevin1982

Registered
Hello,

I am looking for a GTD app (iOS and windows) and I came across options like Everdo, MLO, Pagico, and EssentialPIM. These are apps with a one-time purchase. However, they don’t have widgets for iOS and Apple Watch. I’m worried that I might miss tasks because of this. Does anyone have tips to prevent this? Not sure if widgets are part of the GTD methodology :)

Kind regards
Kevin
 
I seem to remember Todoist having widgets on Android. It might have widgets on iOS too.

My advice that transcends apps and features is to make a habit of engaging with your lists.

In the threefold nature of work, there is:

- Doing preplanned work (i.e. working through tasks on your lists)
- Doing work as it shows up (i.e. choosing to do something that is not on your lists)
- Defining your work (i.e. organising your lists)

The implication is that for at least part of the day you should be looking at your lists, and they will tell you about tasks you might miss.
 
thank you! I can get Mylifeorganized with a discount. I love the structure and I think it can help me (I have Autism and adhd). I don’t have many projects at a time. Perhaps 3 small one and some work and personal related tasks. Is MLO overkill ?
 
Kevin1982 said:
Hello,

I am looking for a GTD app (iOS and windows) and I came across options like Everdo, MLO, Pagico, and EssentialPIM. These are apps with a one-time purchase. However, they don’t have widgets for iOS and Apple Watch. I’m worried that I might miss tasks because of this. Does anyone have tips to prevent this? Not sure if widgets are part of the GTD methodology :)

Kind regards
Kevin
Click to expand...
All good technologies are available to GTD-ers; we only reject the bad ones- eventually. I capture on my Apple Watch, usually several times a day. Mostly using Siri, but sometimes using the Things app on the watch. I’ve found widgets on iOS not so useful: they often lag in updating, and they aren’t as useful as an app is.


Many apps can import from reminders, which can be very convenient for capture. I recommend looking for this feature.
Of the apps you mention, I would recommend Todoist over any of them. I don’t like Todoist’s pricing or their development model, but it’s still a better app than the ones you mention. A bad GTD app will make every day worse than it has to be.
 
In addition to the previously mentioned points about Todoist, I use BrainToss on iOS for capturing ideas. However, you can avoid purchasing the app by using a shortcut, as shown in the screenshot below, which can be triggered by a back double-tap gesture.

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mcogilvie said:
All good technologies are available to GTD-ers; we only reject the bad ones- eventually. I capture on my Apple Watch, usually several times a day. Mostly using Siri, but sometimes using the Things app on the watch. I’ve found widgets on iOS not so useful: they often lag in updating, and they aren’t as useful as an app is.


Many apps can import from reminders, which can be very convenient for capture. I recommend looking for this feature.
Of the apps you mention, I would recommend Todoist over any of them. I don’t like Todoist’s pricing or their development model, but it’s still a better app than the ones you mention. A bad GTD app will make every day worse than it has to be.
Click to expand...

For Windows, I have built my own capturing module within the Outlook O365 desktop client. This module includes a user form that pops up based on David Allen’s mind sweep trigger lists for both professional and personal contexts. All newly captured elements are automatically created as new inbox entries.
 
Yaaqoub7 said:
Todoist vs Omnifocus? Thank you
Click to expand...
@Yaaqoub7

I made many test here about Omnifocus and Todoist. Find what I say "Omnifocus why we love it and what to consider..."
search by what I wrote on my name... idem "Todoist why we love it..." You will also fin some test with THINGS or NIRVANA...

In short :
Both OF and TDI are equal. They are both powerful solution for GTD and making your own system.
It is a very complex question depending on your feelings and technical aspects...

IF you start from scratch :

- Omnifocus is great if you work on Mac only and dont need to collaborate. Sync is better than it was before but not as good as TDI.
- TDI is great if you need to collaborate

ErgonomY is better with TDI the UI (caracters and so on) is more modern and well done than Of, witch is still not very polish. It really needs a good UI. However they made some progress.

About context and systems I find Omnifocus better. I don't like the way filters are made in TDI. Perspectives are easier in OF

about security OF is better for me. Lot of safe in local and possibilities to drag and drop from one database to the other. TDI export by .csv only.

About développement The TDI teems develops regularly updates new functionalities. OF developpement is poor they seems doing a real développement when they update the new version I guess it is because they make too many products. For me they make a serious mistake.

About mobile version TDI is perfect. It is like the Mac version. About OF it is less powerful than the Mac version.

I would suggest to you to test both of them and see what you prefer !
 
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Yaaqoub7 said:
Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Happy to help. Anyway, dont miss Omnifocus 4 . This software is really good for GTD. I love the way it is made. Take the pro version only. You can make "perspectives" which are views of what you want. Once you understand how it works it is very powerful. Is lack is short winded syncing and some crash sometime... I would suggest you download both TDI and OF (If you are on Mac) create 5 same projects and see what you prefer. However ;-) if you need to collaborate no way only TDI does it.

When You want to make your own system, I guess there are not so many solutions. TDI, OF and NOTION (For making a all in one system)
 
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FocusGuy said:
Happy to help. Anyway, dont miss Omnifocus 4 . This software is really good for GTD. I love the way it is made. Take the pro version only. You can make "perspectives" which are views of what you want. Once you understand how it works it is very powerful. Is lack is short winded syncing and some crash sometime... I would suggest you download both TDI and OF (If you are on Mac) create 5 same projects and see what you prefer. However ;-) if you need to collaborate no way only TDI does it.

When You want to make your own system, I guess there are not so many solutions. TDI, OF and NOTION (For making a all in one system)
Click to expand...
I second this with OmniFocus 4…I have recently returned back to OmniFocus after about 3 years of no use! So far so good, loving the updates:
 
Re Omnifocus vs. Todoist, the former felt more complicated than I needed, and since I'm iPhone/PC I'd have to work with OF's web app on my computer, which is pretty good but not as good as the native MacOS app. But if I were iPhone/Mac only, I might consider OF because I could grow with it and I also think it looks better than TD. So to be clear, I use Todoist. The PC app is pretty nice, although the web app is basically the same.
 
Y_Lherieau said:
In addition to the previously mentioned points about Todoist, I use BrainToss on iOS for capturing ideas. However, you can avoid purchasing the app by using a shortcut, as shown in the screenshot below, which can be triggered by a back double-tap gesture.

View attachment 2174


For Windows, I have built my own capturing module within the Outlook O365 desktop client. This module includes a user form that pops up based on David Allen’s mind sweep trigger lists for both professional and personal contexts. All newly captured elements are automatically created as new inbox entries.
Click to expand...
Hello. I use Braintoss to capture thoughts and send them to my email. I would love to hear more about your own capture module within O365 Outlook desktop. Would you be willing to share how that model works? Thank you.
 
karenbarclayvpa said:
Hello. I use Braintoss to capture thoughts and send them to my email. I would love to hear more about your own capture module within O365 Outlook desktop. Would you be willing to share how that model works? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your question! A key feature of my Digital IN Basket setup is the VBA-powered input form I developed for Outlook desktop client (that can’t work on OWA as OWA hasn’t got VBA coding capability), which simplifies capturing ideas and tasks while staying true to the GTD methodology. Here’s how it works:

1. Dynamic Mind Sweep Trigger List

The input VBA user form mimics David Allen’s “mind sweep” trigger list PDF. You can choose between Personal or Professional triggers.

• Selecting Personal displays triggers from the personal mind sweep list.

• Selecting Professional narrows the triggers to work-related elements.

This setup helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks, whether it’s a personal or professional elements that have my attention.

2. Direct Inbox Integration Without Sending Emails

As you capture elements through the input form, clicking the OK button drops a new email-like object directly into the “Collect – What is it?” folder my inbox. Importantly, this object doesn’t go through the usual email sending/receiving process—it’s just created locally in that folder. This keeps everything centralized and ready for processing, without email traffic on servers.

3. Quick Access Through a Floating Desktop Button

To make capturing as seamless as possible, I’ve added a floating button on my desktop. This button has a single action: firing up the user form. It’s always accessible, allowing me to capture tasks or ideas instantly with minimal friction.

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Consider using a separate reminders app that integrates well with your chosen GTD app for quick access to tasks.
 
Hey Kevin, I get the widget thing, it's handy for a quick glance. But GTD isn't about widgets; it's about the system. Maybe set up reminders/notifications in the app itself, even if it doesn't have a widget. Or, use a simpler, widget-friendly task manager alongside your main GTD app for quick checks. You could even use your phone's built-in calendar for high-priority stuff.
 
cfoley said:
I seem to remember Todoist having widgets on Android. It might have widgets on iOS too.

My advice that transcends apps and features is to make a habit of engaging with your lists.

In the threefold nature of work, there is:

- Doing preplanned work (i.e. working through tasks on your lists)
- Doing work as it shows up (i.e. choosing to do something that is not on your lists)
- Defining your work (i.e. organising your lists)

The implication is that for at least part of the day you should be looking at your lists, and they will tell you about tasks you might miss. I’ve been using an automatic cat feeder for a while now, and it’s been a game-changer. The convenience of not having to worry about feeding my cat when I’m away is unbeatable. This automatic cat feeder helps ensure my cat gets fed at the right times, even when I’m not around. Some feeders have programmable schedules, so you can control portions and feeding times, which is great for regulating my cat's weight. I went with one that has a large capacity, so I don’t have to refill it too often. The only downside is that some models can be a bit noisy during feeding times, but it’s a minor issue compared to the convenience. Highly recommend!
Click to expand...
While widgets aren’t a core part of the GTD methodology, you can still stay on top of tasks by setting regular reminders and enabling notifications in your app. Additionally, consider syncing your GTD app with your calendar or a task manager that supports widgets for quick access. This way, you can ensure you don’t miss anything, even without direct widget support on iOS and Apple Watch.
 
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