Proof of Concept - Getting things done with OmniFocus
I launched a zine! Get Proof of Concept: The 000 Series today. Getting things done with OmniFocusIssue 106: A look at to-do apps and sharing what works for me
80% of side projects by are either a Good Reads alternative or a to-do app. There are heaps of to-do apps out there and the majority of them aren't a good fit for you, and that’s okay. People value different things in software and having different options of opinionated software helps you quickly identify what works for you. There are many wonderful to-do apps: Things, Todoist, etc. Even Apple's own Reminders app is great. For me I’m a long-time user and fan of OmniFocus. Created by the Seattle-based software company The Omni Group, I've been using the software since I first purchased my first Mac—the black Macbook in 2007. I've used Macs before but this was the first one I owned. Though I'll share specifics about OmniFocus, my hope is this will give you ideas of how to get things done and build your own system that works for you. I've tried other to-do apps, but I have more than a decade’s worth of dedication to OmniFocus, making switching systems a low priority. Getting things done
If you haven’t read the book Getting Things Done by David Allen, I highly recommend it. It’s a great overview of how to organize your work in a way that reduces stress and focuses on accomplishment. Getting Things Done (GTD) encompasses five primary areas:
I’ve noticed a lot of people don’t spend a lot of time capturing their thoughts. They often have thoughts and it occupies their mental capacity or completely forget about it. Over the years, I’ve created a discipline around capturing important ideas down in a way I don’t forget. The concept of an inbox is key—unstructured space where ideas can live and be refined. Whether it’s a product roadmap or my personal life, I like to think of three horizons: now, next, future. They are not specifically time-bound in an absolute duration but rather tiers to help prioritize what fidelity to think about things. My OmniFocus workspace is configured to accommodate such a concept. Get it done now(High commitment, low memory) Not everything needs to be captured and remembered. For example, I don't have a to-do item to take a shower—perhaps we know some people who might need this! If it takes little thought to accomplish the task, I don't even bother writing it down. If it's a task that needs to be done later (even an hour later), I'll likely write it down. I might write this down on paper or digitally, depending on what is in front of me. The typical duration of this are things I need to get done within the week. Plan to do it next(Medium commitment, medium memory) This horizon is usually within the month. There is high intention and need to get something done, but not within the immediate and the details might be blurry. In contrast the aforementioned section of now, this fidelity merits putting a bit of a plan together and prioritizing it against other things that need to get done. Imagine it for the future(Low commitment, high memory) Not everything you put in a to-do app needs to get done. It’s supposed to help you accomplish vs. completing a list—a bit contradictory, I know. I also have a very aspirational view of a backlog. A backlog can be viewed as an icebox of things that will never get done or be neglected. However, I have a very aspirational point of view on backlogs. Make it future-oriented and something you look forward to working on—so much so that you want to ensure you get everything else done to get to it. The backlog is an active look into the future aspiration. I use the tag #dreambig tag in OmniFocus to keep me motivated in what I'd like to experience and accomplish in life. The biggest of dreams? Own the Raiders and move them back. In times when I feel overwhelmed about the present, I remind myself of the future I look forward to and reflect if I'm making steps to get there. OmniFocus tips and tricksNow that you get a sense of my system of tasking and planning, I'll cover a few tricks that I love about OmniFocus. These are likely features other to-do apps have in a similar implementation. Quick entry shortcutThe faster I can get an idea down, the less likely I'll forget about it. Any time I catch myself self-narrative, "I won't forget this," I immediately capture it physically or digitally. It's like the continued broken promises of remembering a dream without journaling it. Command-Shift-O is what I set to add a quick task when it's top of mind. I love this feature because I don't even need the app open to capture ideas in the inbox. TagsTags replaced an old feature called Contexts in OmniFocus. Like many other tagging system, it’s another way of organizing elements outside of a project or another structure. I have tags of important people, cities, and themes. For example I might look at a tag of a very important person in my life and be able to see all the things I need to get done related to them. ForecastEvery Sunday, I forecast my entire week in OmniFocus and Obsidian with my Daily Notes. It’s a great way for me to diffuse the Sunday Scaries to have a clear view of what is coming up. This forecast view helps me break down everything I need to do in a more digestable way that’s less overwhelming than thinking about the block of the entire week. RecapA to-do list's purpose is to accomplish what you need to get done. Whether you use OmniFocus or any other to-do solution, keep in mind the following:
Tweet of the weekI've angel invested in nearly 60 companies before joining @firstround and I'd consider myself a pretty helpful angel investor. But there are certainly companies who have gotten more out of me than others.
💡Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your angel investors. Hype links
Job opportunitiesA Twitter thread of companies that are hiring designers. Enjoy this newsletter? Please consider sharing it with friends, or subscribing if you haven’t already. I appreciate it! Sincerely, DH |
Key phrases
Older messages
The art of experiments
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Issue 105: The quantitative side of aspects of craft in product
WTF is operations?
Sunday, August 7, 2022
Issue 104: A primer on overall operations in software and design ops
Art students are built different
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Issue 103: Lessons from art school that apply to Engineering, Product, and Design
NGL: ask me anything
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Issue 102: Rapid fire AMA questions
The skeptic, customer, and fan
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Issue 101: The three perspectives to keep in mind in product development
You Might Also Like
How Balsamiq uses AI
Thursday, March 28, 2024
A peek into our ChatGPT conversations ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Adobe AI, Remote, Stripe Sessions, Node.js Redesign, light-dark()
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The 5 best design links, every day. Curated by a selection of great editors. Email not displaying properly? View browser version. Sidebar March 28 2024 Defining experience quality in large language
Are Photorealistic Renderings Worth It?
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Plus, the go-to garden stores of top designers and landscaping pros View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO Logo Image may contain: Home Decor, Lamp, Desk, Furniture,
CSS Variable Groups, Layout Rhythm, Animate Borders, Parallel Lives, Visualization Techniques
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The 5 best design links, every day. Curated by a selection of great editors. Email not displaying properly? View browser version. Sidebar March 27 2024 Proposal: CSS Variable Groups lea.verou.me CSS
The History of Ikat
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Plus, Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York announces designer lineup View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO Logo Image may contain: Art, and Painting SAVE YOUR
#449: UX Research
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
UX research impact, research invite emails, research without access to users, and UX research methods cheat sheet. Issue #449 • Mar 26, 2024 • View in the browser Smashing Newsletter Joh-eun jeonyeog-
Progress Indicator, Lissajous Curves, Pixel to Ink, Azulejo, Mac at 40
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
The 5 best design links, every day. Curated by a selection of great editors. Email not displaying properly? View browser version. Sidebar March 26 2024 Front-End solution: progress indicator piccalil.
Responsive Font Size, Icon Design, text-emphasis, Inclusive Sans, Accessible Forms
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
The 5 best design links, every day. Curated by a selection of great editors. Email not displaying properly? View browser version. Sidebar March 25 2024 A formula for responsive font-size jameshfisher.
👏 Impressive Dashboard Design Files + 🏆 Challenge Updates
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
🌟 Brighten Your Day with UpLabs' Design News! Firstly, let's congratulate Syndell, the winner of our latest 📝 Todoist Dashboard Redesign Challenge! Congratulations!! Secondly, don't forget
16 Designers Reveal Their All-Time Favorite IKEA Products
Monday, March 25, 2024
Plus, gardens every design lover must see in person View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO Logo lush gardens with sparkling blue water and trees 14 GARDENS EVERY