Comments on: Using Contexts to Simplify List Management

By: Andre

Andre — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:11:51 +0000

@Troy: The tagging system sounds like a great idea, especially since it makes contexts optional. For group projects, I’d resist forcing them on anyone, but it’s always possible to prime others to think in contexts without explicitly referring to “context” jargon. “So here’s a list of calls to make. Here’s a list of things to do at the computer.” If others prefer not to keep them grouped by location, that’s their decision.

@Daniel: If I’m understanding the question right, these are online actions that require login settings that are only on your computer. If that’s the case, I’d create a list called @Online – Daniel. It might get tricky at first, since you’d have to remember to look at a new list, but if there are any of those actions that are time-sensitive, they can go on your calendar.

@John: It sounds like you’ve got a handle on things. The trick to making contexts effective is to use as few as necessary but no fewer. Once I started working at home I stopped using Agendas, but they really came in handy beforehand.

By: John B. Kendrick

John B. Kendrick — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:27:49 +0000

I used contexts sparingly, and combine them with the use of project tags. So my contexts are basically the when and where and two suffice, “home” and “work”.

I also use contexts for people I contact regularly. This is a real time saver because whenever I meet with someone, I just click on their context, and all of the tasks with which they are related popup.

I’ve written several posts that provide details about my experiences with GTD and the applications I use on my blog at http://johnkendrick.wordpress.com/how-to-gtd/ John

By: Why GTD Contexts Are More Work (For Me) | Productive Flourishing

Why GTD Contexts Are More Work (For Me) | Productive Flourishing — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:16 +0000

[...] regarding some of the tenets of GTD and why some of us tweak or abandon the system. In his post Using Context to Simplify List Management that’s partially motivated by a comment I left on his post When to Do Low-Priority Tasks, [...]

By: Daniel Beck

Daniel Beck — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:23:47 +0000

I use OmniFocus as my centralized GTD action list container, but I usually end up looking at all of my contexts simultaneously, sorted by due date. I think my resistance to using contexts is that… I don’t know how to distinguish contexts. For example, I know that some actions I can only do on my laptop (thus @computer) but some actions can only be done on the web or when I have access to the internet, thus @online. But some things can be done online but only on my computer: where do those actions go?

That’s my problem with contexts, at least.

By: Troy Malone

Troy Malone — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:58:23 +0000

Very good discussion. We have a project management solution called Pelotonics. I am noodling on the question of if we should add context capabilities or not.

I think that contexts are really just a method of tagging your task items for easy sorting down contextual lines later. I may just add tagging functionality which would allow for both GTD and non GTD oriented people to use them. I personally don’t see much complexity in using contexts in a personal sense. I use the Outlook plug-in and it manages contexts great. Very intuitive and easy.

When dealing with personal task lists, it’s easy to use and strait forward to use contexts. When dealing in a group, it is a different matter all together! Hmmm. alot more thinking to do on my part, but I really like your post here. You have furthered my thinking on the subject.

I would really like to have a discussion with you if you have a chance. We stream live at http://www.pelotonics.com/media/peloTV.html so come on by and have a conversation with me when you can!

Thanks…