What if @Computer wasn't a context?

[gtdstudente]

I started this about June this year, and I've had many versions of GTD over the years but this time I'm feeling the most happy with my lists. I didn't really like having to use time blocking for tasks which have an optional time to complete, they just need a large open block on my calendar, and now it has shifted a lot of tasks off my calendar onto my lists which is good.

 

[Xwt]

类。由于我采用

Given that I am a computer geek and that most all my actions are like to have atleast some computer component, it is fairly meaningless to me. Additionally, the @computer context originated in a time when being on or around a computer was special, whereas now I have a computer with 15 ft roughly 24x7, even when i'm in the shower. My apple watch has more computing power/memory/storage than like my first 5 computers combined. For me, @computer has about as much relevance as an @breathing context.

Consequentially I have @research and @creative contexts that make things a little more abstract and ultimately alot more useful.

Thank you so much for the inspiration you provided. Could I take a look at some of the other context lists you’ve created？

 

[fooddude]

Thank you so much for the inspiration you provided. Could I take a look at some of the other context lists you’ve created？

I use @computer, @Phone, @home, @Errands, and @waiting for. I currently have 3 agenda notes as well. I only put the very next action for a project in the context.

 

[yasirkhan]

I got rid of @Computer and instead replaced with @Word; @Excel; @PBI; @Outlook; @PC-Other as well as several other specific applications.

Your way of categorize is perfect and is customized for your needs

 

[yasirkhan]

A while ago, I realised that my @Computer list contained about half of my Next Actions. I prefer working from short lists so this resulted in me resisting this context.

I decided to deliberately choose other contexts wherever possible, making @Computer the last resort. For example, instead of "Google this" or "Google that" as a lazy default when I didn't know what to do, I would try "Natural planning for this" or "Call Bob about that" or maybe even "Just try to do the thing and see if I can work it out as I go".

This really helped. I broke a lazy habit, wrote better next actions, and got some projects unstuck. When I did need to google, I could be really specific about what to search for. Unexpectedly, I also got more sensitive to feeling resistance in any context and was quick to replace a next action with something more attractive to me.

But my @Computer context was still too big, and the edges blurred with my @Desk context and let's be honest I sometimes look at my computer no matter what I am doing. Even if I am cleaning, I might need to refer to a checklist. The machine is so ubiquitous and so intertwined with my life that maybe the context doesn't really make sense for me any more. After all, I don't use @Pen-and-paper-available or @Not-naked.

What might better contexts look like for me? To answer this, I started grouping similar next actions from my @Computer and @Desk contexts:

• Shopping (14)
• Writing (11)
• Google (10) - still ten after all that!
• Read (5)
• Watch (5)
• Planning (5)
• Others (22) - back to @Desk for these for now

Are these better contexts? I don't know. However, I can see myself choosing from @Watch late in the evening where I wasn't in the habit of choosing from @Computer. Similarly, I might snack from @Google when I need a break from more intensive work or @Read in my coffee break.

I don't have a specific question. It's just food for thought, really. With all the recent talk about abandoning contexts, it was surprising that my troubleshooting led me to consider more contexts. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences about similar things.

That's a very well-organized list! I was looking for something similar. It's interesting how, with laptops, tablets, and smartphones always available, they've evolved from being specific contexts to almost ubiquitous tools.