Creating OmniFocus projects from templates and calendar events

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: April 18, 2019 | updated: September 5, 2020 | 0 | Tutorial

Today I want to showcase one of my most favorite automation workflows I am regularly using on my iPad.

When preparing regular events or projects in your task management, it might often be helpful to create templates for frequently occurring tasks.

For example, if you need to prepare some materials for every group meeting, why not have a preset or a mock-project from which you can copy-paste an instance every time you need it. This way, you won’t forget some small task which might be forgettable yet essential.

In this article I’ll go over the process to create templates for new OmniFocus projects, and how to connect it to calendar events for more conveniently creating new projects based on new calendar entries in one click.

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A close look at the task management beast OmniFocus 3

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: May 30, 2018 | updated: September 10, 2020 | 0 | Tasks

OmniFocus entered its third release cycle with the release of OmniFocus 3 for iOS.

The app became one of the most prominent task management suites on the Apple ecosystem. It is an often recommended solution for to-do, especially if investing in Getting Things Done workflows.

However, it also comes with a relatively high price and a learning curve. Is OmniFocus worth the effort, and can the solution help you with your productivity needs? I’ll go through all the features in detail and let you decide what you think about them.

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My thoughts on OmniFocus 2 versus 3

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: May 15, 2018 | updated: September 9, 2020 | 0 | News

And there it comes, a new major release for OmniFocus: The task management suite which is available since 2008 gets into its third release cycle. The predecessor is award winning and one of the most recommended productivity suites for the Apple ecosystem. So, what’s it all about?

I have been a regular user of OmniFocus for many years (since OF1 days,) so I’ve seen many iterations and new feature upgrades. The version 3 comes with many new features and an updated look-and-feel.

I have been testing the new version since the beginning of closed beta and discuss some thoughts on how OmniFocus 3 improves over 2.

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Creating reminders for the long term

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: February 24, 2018 | updated: September 8, 2020 | 0 | Workflows

Sometimes, there are tasks which are rare or only relevant in the long term, but still important – even in daily life outside of work.

For example, home maintenance: Spring cleaning, washing curtains, washing bedding. The small things, which are often forgotten way too quickly. And before you think about it, you sleep in months of your own sweat. When using task management, think in the long term.

This article will go over on how to efficiently use task management in the long term to not forget even the rarest occasions.

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A close look at the GTD beast OmniFocus 2 [outdated]

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: November 22, 2017 | updated: September 11, 2020 | 0 | Tasks

This review is outdated. A newer version of this application is reviewed here.

OmniFocus 3 has been released with a couple of exiting features: A new notification systems, a redesigned interface, tags instead of contexts, an optional web service, and more.

For newcomers, the new full review is over here.

For upgraders, there is an article on the differences between OmniFocus 2 and 3 over here.

Below, there’s the OmniFocus 2 review for archival purposes.

With its initial release in early 2008, OmniFocus grew to be one of the most prominent task management suites on the Apple ecosystem. It is an often recommended solution for task management, especially in the lines of Getting Things Done.

But, it also comes with a high price and learning curve. Complex applications often need to be studied, customized and understood, before being able to use them.

Is OmniFocus worth the effort, and can the solution help you with your productivity needs? This article will cover this productivity suite in all details.

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A web-based approach to GTD with GTDNext

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: November 19, 2017 | updated: September 8, 2020 | 0 | Tasks

This review takes a closer look at a task management service called GTDNext. The very acronymic name already tells half of the story: If familiar with GTD – which by the way stands for the Getting Things Done method – it almost explains itself.

The application is a niche app fully tailored to a single approach to task management. It does not allow much customization, but implements a single paradigm for task management very well and structured.

Is this app something for everybody, or rather a niche app for productivity fanatics?

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A todo list for every platform with Todoist

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: November 15, 2017 | updated: September 9, 2020 | 0 | Tasks

Todoist is one of the most prominent applications in the genre of task management. It is used by many, and thus often recommended throughout the productivity community.

The web-based service uses a one layout fits anywhere approach with an app for virtually any platform, providing the same appearance and featureset everywhere. It approaches task management rather simple: With fewer features, less distracting elements and a bit of gamification; to be an efficient companion in daily work.

We will take a look at the service to see whether it is a valid choice for your task management needs. Can it compete with other giants in task management?

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Book: Getting Things Done

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: November 12, 2017 | updated: September 6, 2020 | 0 | Literature

The book Getting Things Done by David Allen can easily be seen as one of the bibles of personal productivity. It is a business book, initially released in 2001 and raised up to be a bestseller in its field.

It covers a combination of time management and stress management, but gives these disciplines a different name: Attention management. It is a guideline on the mindset to approach thought processes and ideas, and how to deal with them. With that, it gives a way to implement task management – to organize how to approach projects and ideas.

In this article, we will take a look on the book, have a brief overview on the methodology itself and what makes it different from other methodologies. Many applications are built upon this concept, but does it hold up to its fad?

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The Inbox in task management

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: November 5, 2017 | updated: September 8, 2020 | 0 | Workflows

When working with an app like Things 3 or OmniFocus 2, one will quickly notice the folder in the top, called “Inbox.”

After using emails for decades, the concept of an Inbox should be clear, but what is its meaning in task management? Can one not enter tasks directly into the relevant task list or project? Why is there an extra step, adding a task to an “Inbox” folder, when it will be temporary anyhow?

This feature will help streamline your workflows if used correctly. In this article, we will discuss its purpose, how new tasks should be captured, and how to make sure that the inbox stays tidy.

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Elegant GTD on Mac and iOS with Things 3

by Marc A. Kastner | posted: October 31, 2017 | updated: September 11, 2020 | 0 | Tasks

Things 3 is the third iteration of Things by CulturedCode, an international company with its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Things is a popular task management software made for the Apple ecosystem. In its previous version, Things 2 has been around for years and grew to be one of the major solutions on its supported platforms. The suite is available for macOS, the iPhone/Apple Watch, and iPadOS.

The updated version comes with a new interface, a redesigned workflow and its own solution to task management. They promise the new iteration to be easier to use, more reliable and just in the right spot to serve for all your productivity needs.

As one of the main players for personal task management, can it hold up to its high expectations?

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Tag: gtd