Organizing list of tasks

[stuartc27]

I use the visual concept of Folder-Project-Tasks-SubTasks, i leverage context as well. I have several views that help me manage my tasks etc.  The challenge I am finding is that with the number of tasks I have it is not easy entering tasks and getting them into the proper buckets.  Easy to enter a task with context, dates etc.  

What I am finding is that I have to drag a new task related to a project and overlay it on the project.  Then the task falls into the project hierarchy.  On the same token when I add a new task it will either go under a folder or just a generic ‘inbox’ folder and then I have to drag it down to the proper folder and/or project. 

What I would like is to enter a task with folder and project if applicable thus at entry the task falls right in line with the proper hierarchy.  I am using my iPad more than a laptop (Mac or windows).

Am I missing something or approaching wrong?

[Stéph]

Hello Stuart,

Have you tried "parsing" your inputs? There's some guidance in the help file for the MLO desktop app. If you know the project name, you can add the switch -toprj<Project Name> after the text of your new task. I've never tried that parsing switch on an iPad, but it should work for you.

If input parsing doesn't work well for you (sometimes it takes a couple of goes to get it to enter right), then a quick way of moving tasks on the desktop version (sorry, doesn't work on iOS) is to open a second MLO window by pressing F3. You can drag and drop tasks from the Inbox in one of the MLO windows into individual projects in the other window.

Another option, on the iPad, would be to set up a customer filter which shows just the contents of the inbox and each of the active projects. With the list filtered like this it will be much shorter and so it will be easier to drag and drop tasks out of your inbox, into a particular project.

I hope one of these options works for you.

All the best,

Stéphane

[Richard Emes]

Hi Stuart,

I had the same problem using iOS. I've found the quickest approach is to enter the task into the Inbox using 3d touch and add the due date (if any) followed by the context. As Stephane suggests, I then parse this task into the Inbox. The only step left to take is to then left-swipe on the task and Move to the correct project. iOS does remember recent projects so you can select these rather than having to type the project name each time.

I can never remember the exact project name to parse the actual project at the entry stage so found the above approach the quickest for me.

Hope that helps, 

All the best

Richard

[stuartc27]

Thanks all for responding.  Helpful.  For my iPad, what I have started to do I enter tasks with as much attributes I can with due date today.  Then I roll up all folders.  Then I slide the new task to have it cover over the folder it belongs to.  Then I open that folder and then slide it over the project if it is a project related task.  The key trick is just collapsing all folders, projects so my screen is not one long list.  I have also created a few views that isolate tasks to help with sorting........

It would be better if there was a specific project field in the task attributes, and not a ‘code’ like statement that needs to be plugged in.  

[Dwight Arthur]

Hi, Stuart. I can't tell you where to look for it in the iPad, but the "collapse all tasks" button (circled in red on the screenshot below) is really helpful when doing this kind of thing - as you work more and more of your collapsed (or rolled up) folders get expanded, this button lets you close them all up in a single tap.

-Dwight

--
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 mylifeorganiz...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mylifeorganized/6049a93e-ac63-486c-83e1-705dd3e60ae5n%40googlegroups.com.

[stuartc27]

Yes I use the carrot to left of folder to collapse.  But I like the recommendation you made especially when everything is open, thus I don’t have to scroll to find the respective folder, I can just click the icon you suggest. Thanks.

[stuartc27]

I am also thinking about my naming convention / purpose of Folder-Project-Task-Context.  I am finding Folder names and context are sometimes blurred and interchangeable though folder names are higher level and “grouping” of projects and tasks.  Context is just another or more granular level dimension of the task(s).  I reflect on the comments in the manual about context, but thought I would just put that out there for comments.........