Of course, we all keep our data separate from our tasks don't we? We can use Evernote, Onenote, TreePad, filing system, etc., etc. to store all our notes. Well, yes. But I always seem to like keeping some notes in MLO for data which can turn into tasks, which informs or prompts tasks, or which requires (ir)regular review. E.g. templates of tasks for repeat actions/projects; check-lists of tasks; handy reminders of procedures; main notes from standards e.g. I use ITIL and PRINCE2 note sets to serve as prompts; any sort of "active" (?) data (i.e. is closely associated or turns into tasks). This is not a task which has notes, that's fully covered by MLO already. This is data which does not have a task.
The recommendation/response from UserVoice (MLO feature handling) to the request(s) for notes in MLO is that notes can be tagged as folders. I think the logic is: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it probably is a duck. But, by relegating notes to be folders, we are missing out on a swan here. I suggest that active notes are the precursor or foundations of many of our tasks. GTD recognises (five phases of Mastering Workflow) that collection/processing/organising of incoming data is essential to producing a valid set of actions (tasks). Whilst other data collection systems form the basis of the early workflow phases, it is useful to have data in task form at the outline and review stage of task management to help/prompt/remind/inspire us to produce the tasks we need. This is especially true for me because I find it hard (unnatural) to follow the GTD 5 workflow phases. These notes should have a special status and are not in any way folders, even if their behaviour is similar (Completed box replaced by a note icon, excluded from ToDo). Here's what I have in mind for a simple implementation in MLO: 1. Add the option to tag a Task as a "Note" next to the Folder option in the Properties, General window. 2. A task with the note option selected has the completed box replaced with a new note icon. Different from the task notes icon. 3. A note can also be a folder, but the folder icon has precedence. 4. All sub-tasks created under a note are by default automatically also tagged as notes, but can be changed manually. 5. As for Folders, notes are automatically excluded from the ToDo view. 6. Be able to select Notes view to show all notes only and all folders/projects/tasks which contain notes. 7. Sub-tasks created under notes are treated as ordinary sub-tasks. So, having outlined all that, is it a misuse of MLO to use tasks as notes? I know that there are no real hard and fast rules and we can use MLO in many ways. But I know it's usually best not to swim against the tide. Do any of you guys keep notes in MLO? Could you benefit from having this additional type of task? Your thoughts/comments/opinion invited. Cheers, Peter. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MyLifeOrganized" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mylifeorganized. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mylifeorganized/4d346f23-69b3-4772-bb6d-fd8ff1a2f3e9%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
