Good point - just a short answer for now: As Dwight said, don't expect to find a full methodology explained. MLO is a swiss knife that can fit many things. Even people who follow GTD (probably one of the concepts described / discussed most in detail "out there" - on the net, in books and around tools) tweak it in different directions.
I do agree that the learning curve for the tool would be easier if there were more complete examples or templates of various kinds of use. The included templates show a little bit (e.g. a couple of GTD flavors, some Covey stuff and so on), but not much. I am back to MLO a few months ago, after 1½ years break. Before that, I tried it but didn't make it through the learning curve to an actual working system. Since then, I've become more determined and have a more clear idea about by own "system". AND not the least, the tool has evolved. Especially the Android app lacked some stuff back then - but is now closer to covering the main/crucial bases for me. Just to keep it short, I am experimenting with, or planning to do most of what you are mentioning above. Besides the main task handling of to-do actions and projects, I am also toying with managing recurring actions in some separate views. Chores and so on. I also have e.g. a morning routine and a bedtime routine in a recurring action with subtasks. All is still experimental - I haven't found the best form. But I want to keep these subtasks out of my normal to-do list, or it would be clogged all the time with repetitive stuff, obfuscating the rest. I also have a "framework" to place tasks that are in the "active funnel" in a specific time frame. I use flags exclusively to coordinate this. E.g. TODAY (Most important), TODAY, TOMORROW, WEEK, WEEK_NEXT, MONTH. I can't work straight off the automated to-do list. I have way too many projects going. I am using this as the equivalent of making a "daily plan" on paper with my decisions for the day. A couple of weeks ago I got tired of crappy shopping list apps and also made my own prototype in MLO. In a separate file from my main file. (I would definitely recommend that). I am also toying with how to manage checklists in a good way. Ie. copying a "template task" to use as checklist for "standard procedures". (It would be great if MLO had a more nifty way to find these and copy paste them). Certain recurring things, like paying recurring bills on time, I seldom put in there. (Only when I mess up and have to do it urgently). I have a sub-calendar in google with financial-related deadlines. Separate but shown in the overview. I then see the notice on my calendar view on my phone etc. also. /Lasse On Tuesday, 7 March 2017 10:29:33 UTC+1, Ed Wallace wrote: > > Relatively new to MLO but so far so good. (Long time frustrated Outlook > user) > Unfortunately, like most software; the help files and this discussion > group, are excellent resources in explaining the specifics of how the tool > works but seem to be lacking in general implementation; In other words when > and why should I use the tool; is this the right tool. How do I get > started, and what can I expect? > > For example I don't need an expert to explain to me how a shovel works. > However, some experienced opinions or advice would be great in helping me > decide, if a trowel, a backhoe, or explosives would be more appropriate. > Planting a flower versus digging a pond. > I guess what I'm asking is for some ideas regarding best practices, > expectations and implementation of MLO. What do you use it for, and how you > make it work for you? Where does it really shine, where would other tools > be more appropriate (calendars, spreadsheets, filing cabinets, or paper and > pencil). > > I get the feeling that MLO in tandem with Outlook, OneNote and a filing > cabinet,used with the GTD philosophy could be life-changing for ADD's like > me (I just can't seem to wrap my brain around the entire system) > > Examples: > > - Does it work well for grocery lists or should I stick with paper? > - Helping pick a direction in the morning before that 1st cup of > coffee is kicks? > - Is this better suited for mundane reminders (water the plants, take > out the trash) or large projects (finish my basement, restore an antique > car)? > - Remembering recurring tasks that MUST get done TODAY (pick up the > kids from daycare) versus tasks that really SHOULD get done TODAY(enter > client billing for the day). > - Tracking honey-do lists (pick up milk on the way home, "dad I need a > check for the field trip next week") > - spending one hour per week cleaning and organizing my hard drive > (which will really never truly be finished) > - paying bills on time > - writing policies and procedures for new business. > - Actually sending the XXX to the client like I promised. > - Starting and finishing that really important XXX, instead of > watching the really interesting UTube video, that just came in my email. > > I know this is vague, but I'm trying to get a grasp on the what, where, > and why. I feel once am comfortable with that the specifics of how should > be easy. > > Thank you > -- 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 https://groups.google.com/group/mylifeorganized. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mylifeorganized/b98f7b4c-119a-4c81-95c2-8a50ea31d272%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
