Hi all!
I am trying to get into GTD and one of the things that are bugging me a bit is contexts. I work as a software developer (currently at home) and I am a bit of a nerd so a lot of my personal projects are also computer-related.
The context I currently use are:
Is this "How it should be"? I have seen some people suggest splitting up the list to the tool you use like @dev-environment @mail but I don't really see the benefit of that, I usually try to keep my NA lists short (while adding new things from the projects/moving projects from S/M to active if the actions run dry) so these even shorter lists by tool might only have 1-2 items in them which seems more hassle than it is worth.
Is working "By project" an alternative instead of by context? For work I try, when I am not blocked by external stuff, to work on one thing at a time. So I might have the task "Implement feature X" where the tasks might be:
But then I am not working out of my contexts but instead working based on my project which is not what I should do according to DA? (Or well I am still working in my @work context, but I would not if I would have had more specific contexts)
Maybe I am missing something with the contexts? Or maybe I am privileged that I COULD switch contexts very fast since they basically are all done on the same computer? (And I also have in my professional life the possibility to work on only a few things at the same time) I can see the value more if the contexts are different physical locations since then doing project 1 first and going to place B and then going back to Place A to start on project 2 and then having to go back to place B would be a waste of time. But it is quite seldom that my projects make me go somewhere else (and then I would switch to another project)
Do you have any other contexts or context tips for me?
Ones I have thought about and would want your input on are:
@Daily Actions (I have some stuff I want to get done every day, read for 30 mins, walk 6000 steps, meditate a few minutes, and a few more) I currently just add these to my private list every morning
@"My Side hustle" - I also run a side business, I have thought about the idea to use that as a context? It is a software-based side hustle so it is also done on the same computer. I am not sure what the "win" would be more than to have these actions separated from the rest of my private actions (I currently have this side hustle as an area of focus)
So to summarize I think my questions are:
1) Should I work out of my projects instead of my contexts? Why do you think it would be a good idea? why not?
2) What do you think of my suggested extra contexts or do you have any other context tips?
I am trying to get into GTD and one of the things that are bugging me a bit is contexts. I work as a software developer (currently at home) and I am a bit of a nerd so a lot of my personal projects are also computer-related.
The context I currently use are:
- @Private
- @Work (I have separated them even though they are done on the same computer, or "private" are 90% computer tasks and 10% other home tasks)
- @Errands
- @"With girlfriend" - This one is mostly empty since we do not do as many "projects" that need to be planned before together
Is this "How it should be"? I have seen some people suggest splitting up the list to the tool you use like @dev-environment @mail but I don't really see the benefit of that, I usually try to keep my NA lists short (while adding new things from the projects/moving projects from S/M to active if the actions run dry) so these even shorter lists by tool might only have 1-2 items in them which seems more hassle than it is worth.
Is working "By project" an alternative instead of by context? For work I try, when I am not blocked by external stuff, to work on one thing at a time. So I might have the task "Implement feature X" where the tasks might be:
- Clarify what is wanted (talk with someone)
- Make a plan on how I think it could be implemented
- Google a few things
- Program and try to follow my plan (and here I am googling stuff constantly) - this takes 1 hour to 2 weeks, with talking with colleagues if I get stuck
But then I am not working out of my contexts but instead working based on my project which is not what I should do according to DA? (Or well I am still working in my @work context, but I would not if I would have had more specific contexts)
Maybe I am missing something with the contexts? Or maybe I am privileged that I COULD switch contexts very fast since they basically are all done on the same computer? (And I also have in my professional life the possibility to work on only a few things at the same time) I can see the value more if the contexts are different physical locations since then doing project 1 first and going to place B and then going back to Place A to start on project 2 and then having to go back to place B would be a waste of time. But it is quite seldom that my projects make me go somewhere else (and then I would switch to another project)
Do you have any other contexts or context tips for me?
Ones I have thought about and would want your input on are:
@Daily Actions (I have some stuff I want to get done every day, read for 30 mins, walk 6000 steps, meditate a few minutes, and a few more) I currently just add these to my private list every morning
@"My Side hustle" - I also run a side business, I have thought about the idea to use that as a context? It is a software-based side hustle so it is also done on the same computer. I am not sure what the "win" would be more than to have these actions separated from the rest of my private actions (I currently have this side hustle as an area of focus)
So to summarize I think my questions are:
1) Should I work out of my projects instead of my contexts? Why do you think it would be a good idea? why not?
2) What do you think of my suggested extra contexts or do you have any other context tips?