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I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

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Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#681

Post by major505 »

major505 wrote: post #676

I used a lot of Todo and Note taking APP over the years. My last and the one that ended up working more for me was Microsoft TODO because it was simple and synced with my phone, and actually worked seamless with IOs Reminder app. I sticked with it for a lot of time, but in the end, after a hell week, most my tasks where red with due dates long passed. It just added to my stress seeing all that red. Today I just carry…

and just a quick resume: What I find that independent of your note taking system, what really makes the different is that 5 min I told, that I sit and process what was done in the previous day. The discipline to rethink your day, apply again what it works, and do a little different what it did not worked, thats whats really makes the different.

Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#684

Post by javier_e06 »

My 3 rules of a TODO list ( a txt file obviousl ).

1. Done in the morning before starting work. Helps to take glance at yesterdays todo before it. 2. It only covers task achievable at the end of the day. Gets updated through the day with twists and turns and possible completion notes. 3. Very important! It gets evaluated at the end of the day: pass-fail.

The goal is not to pass or fail at the end of the day, is to help tomorrow's todo list creation.

Done diligently. Sharpens my brain.

Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#685

Post by the_af »

dbacar wrote: post #362

why not use just a pen and a notebook then :) ?

This is a good question, and at least for me the answer is: because it generates more trash, and also because I'm in front of the computer for work anyway, so I might as well just have my TODO there.

But sure, a physical notebook or post-its would work just as well.

Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#686

Post by the_af »

johanvts wrote: post #52
zavg wrote: post #38

This. Working with plain notes during the last 10 years and it could not be better.

Did you try org-mode?

If the person you're replying to indicated they are very happy with their setup ("it could not be better"), why suggest they try something else?

There's finite time in life, and productivity tool "improvements" have a diminishing ROI, why waste time improving what they already said is very good for them?

Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#688

Post by lycopodiopsida »

major505 wrote: post #676

I used a lot of Todo and Note taking APP over the years. My last and the one that ended up working more for me was Microsoft TODO because it was simple and synced with my phone, and actually worked seamless with IOs Reminder app. I sticked with it for a lot of time, but in the end, after a hell week, most my tasks where red with due dates long passed. It just added to my stress seeing all that red. Today I just carry…

I am right now on Apple Reminders, which has its advantages, but I've also used OmniFocus a lot, as well as org-mode. And I switch between them from time to time.

Org-mode could be perfect, but sync and mobile apps are PITA. Reminders are good, but limited. However, they are well integrated with calendar. OmniFocus is somehow in between, has own scripting engine, complex, limited at some places, but will surely get it done.

As much as I am with the idea of writing, bringing the pen and notebook with you me all the time get old pretty soon. And, such are the details of modern life, a lot of information arrives per mail or links. Also, no meaningful context can be saved with task. What would happen is that I would have to maintain 2 system - short written tasks and digital information storage for them, and somehow link between them.

But why I commented here: indeed, in the end the system itself does not matter that much. The regular review, in GTD terms, does. Cleaning up junk tasks, plan the day, process the inbox - it can be done with anything.

Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#689

Post by DavidPiper »

I'm a big fan of Adam Savage's TODO system:

- Ordinary dot points (on a 5x3 lined card, for me)

- But instead of dots, you draw a little square

- When the task if part way done, you colour in half the square, corner to corner

- When the task is completely done, you colour the whole square

It gives you partial progress, and the same satisfaction of crossing something off when done, but without obscuring the text you originally wrote.

Re: I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file

#690

Post by 7thpower »

Igrom wrote: post #92

Reading through the comments under this thread, there are many users who swear by a plain text file, but who then build quite a lot of snowflake software to regain functionality offered by more structured TODO applications. That includes: - having your computer alert you to things that come up - being able to tag notes - being able to add events to a calendar - being able to set priority of tasks - expecting prioriti…

Just wait until I tell you that the reason people have done all of that work is because it is a satisfying form of procrastination.
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