Using calendars and @lists together

[Tspall]

I've been making a better effort to use my calendar more for date specific tasks instead of the due date field in tasks. It not only seems to keep my mind on what to do at specific times, but it has the side effect of being a kind of journal of what happened when.

My question is this: when I use the calendar for a time-specific task (ex. to call someone on a certain day and time), should I also place it into my tasks list under @Phone? Or, is that double entry and possibly a bad idea, since I may lose track of my action? (I know that GTD can be flexible about things, but I wanted to ask people with more experience in this what they tend to do). Thanks!

 

[MarkTAW]

If it must be done by a certain date, I don't see anything wrong with putting a reminder on your calendar and next actions list just to make sure you actually do it. You can just dismiss the calender event if you've done already, you could even dismiss it before the day it was set so your calendar isn't cluttered.

Though I would wonder why I'm avoiding doing it. If a certain amount of time needs to be set aside for the phone call, why should I wait for the last possible day to act on it?

If it must be done on a certain date and not before, I'd put it on my calender (or my folder for that day) so I add it to my next actions list that day. I don't want my Next Actions list cluttered with things I can't actually act on. And if I have to make the call at a certain time, I'd set an alarm for myself, and make sure I got the alarm no matter where I was.

 

[omerkhan]

I take a similar approach (entry in calendar and action list). However, as MarTAW pointed out, it's not a good idea to clutter up your action list with actions that you can't actually action yet!

So I put the action under my "Waiting For" list. Whilst I don't think this is absolutely necessary, it has the benefit of making sure that I dont' forget about the call, in case I miss the appointment (for whatever reason).

For me, it's much easier to glance at my "Waiting for" list to check for any actions I need to chase, move to current actions etc. rather than looking back in my calendar for anything I may have missed in the last day, week etc.

Other solution would be not to miss the appointment in the first place!

 

[ilroberts]

Taskline

I've been evaluating Taskline for the last few days, it transfers tasks from the task list and creates calendar entries. Tasks that aren't Next Actions can be excluded from the scheduling process.

I love GTD, but find myself "procrastinating". Having an application that schedules your NAs according to priority, and keeps track of the time your current NAs are going to take let me make more informed decisions regarding the work I take on.

The URL for Taskline is www.taskline.com

 

[RAN]

Re: Taskline

I've been evaluating Taskline for the last few days....
Having an application that schedules your NAs according to priority, and keeps track of the time your current NAs are going to take let me make more informed decisions regarding the work I take on.

The URL for Taskline is www.taskline.com

I just posted in another thread about TaskLine. I think it's outstanding; once you have it setup, it's a thrill to watch it fill out your calendar/hardscape with such precision. A winner for sure.

 

[Natalie]

Can Taskline be used together with GTD's Outlook Add-In?

 

[RAN]

Can Taskline be used together with GTD's Outlook Add-In?

Natalie:

Works perfectly with the GTD add-in (which is how I'm using it). Even recognizes the GTD project and action fields. They say so on the their site since it would seem quite a number of people with the add-in utilize Taskline as well.

Using them together for a few days now and couldn't be happier.

 

[pespinar]

GTD + Taskline

Can Taskline be used together with GTD's Outlook Add-In?

They say so on the their site since it would seem quite a number of people with the add-in utilize Taskline as well.

Where they say that? Could you post the link?

I am also using both of them and I am interested in any info about the GTD + Taskline combination.