In a bid to simplify things I’ve been deleting apps on my iPhone.
I’m going through my entire iPhone delete time suck apps or ones that I don’t use. I’ve got a 128GB iPhone so it’s not really a space issue it’s more about focus. My iPad Mini needs to be my device at home and my iPhone goes with me out of the door so to help me stop using it too much I’m removing apps I don’t need.
I’ve been using Apple Reminders for a little while now in parallel with Things 3 and Todoist as a test and I have to say that Reminders is more flexible.
I’m able to add a URL, Notes and Images to a task and it’s available from the share sheet in all of the places I care about. It adheres to the system font and zoom settings making it one of the most accessible, which is one of my main gripes with apps like Things that doesn’t consider accessibility.
It’s also free, which in this current economy cutting back on apps and subscriptions isn’t a bad thing to start to do and if you’re on an iPhone then you don’t need to look much further than Apple’s own apps to get 90% of what you want.
Do you use Reminders?
Since the refresh of Apple Reminders I’ve been using it more and more, I’ve now just kept on using it. It’s a simple app but does everything you’d want in a to do app.
I’ve kept things pretty simple as you’ll see from my lists above. I split my main focus down to lists and then just set due dates on items. I also have a sub folder for my creative projects, that’s it.
I like Reminders for it’s integration with the iOS share sheet, adherence to the larger system font I use, widget and ability to add details like a URL to the task.
What I don’t like is the amount of clicks it takes to set details on the Mac but I don’t really use it much on macOS so it doesn’t stop me using it.
I use the widget on my home screen to keep on top of things when they are due. If they are really important I’ll set a due time so I get a pop up reminder.
I don’t use tags, I recommend you don’t either. Keep organisation via lists rather than tags, it makes it a lot easier visually to see how the tasks break down.
Do you use Apple Reminders? Any tips?
I’ve been using Apple Reminders on and off for a couple of months now quite happily but the latest iOS update (for me at least) has broken the UI.
You’ll see from this image that it shows I have 0 items due today, which isn’t correct. I have 3 things due today. The widget shows it and also the today view when I drill down into it but at this top level, it shows me 0.
Anyone else?
This year I really wanted to try to be more intentional about how I’m using my technology. The first step was to read through Cal Newport’s book on the subject.
I’m in the process of working through a digital declutter, where I’m taking breaks from various activities that have been time sucks or raised my anxiety. I’m also figuring out what my connection with technology is going forward.
For me so far it’s meant spending more time in solitude. What I mean here is more time with my thoughts, not spending time on my own. By dropping habits such as constantly checking Twitter or having an AirPod in my ear listening to something I’m having time being bored. This is essential to letting your brain calm down and process. It also gives you more time to get clarity around your creative projects or life goals.
I’m finding that although I’m only 9 days into this process I’m already finding it a little easier to focus. I’m also a little more relaxed in general. Spending all day working in IT also means I’m on a screen less in the evenings, not much to be honest but less than before.
For me this is what I’ve done
That’s where I am right now, figuring this whole thing out but I’d definitely recommend trying this and seeing how it improves your day, time for projects or general mood.
I’ve been a Todoist user on and off for years now and I’m also part of the affiliate program but I’ve been trying other apps lately. I’ve tried Reminders, Things and Omnifocus.
In the end though whilst I do have my problems with Todoist I keep coming back.
Here’s some of what I do like
Here’s what I don’t like
So with any to do app you pick the one that annoys you the least, for me it’s Todoist right now. What are you using?
My dock switches around a bit over the course of a month but this year I’m trying to calm things down a bit and stick to a setup.
With this in mind I switched up my dock to cover my most used apps.
What’s in your dock?
I’ve been taking things back to basics a little with my productivity. I’ve installed Fantastical (mainly to use it’s widgets) and Things 3. I’m trying not to overthink and spend any time messing with productivity apps.
I’m not even creating projects anymore to categorise by type I.e. home, finances etc. Things like paying bills and putting bins out just go into the inbox and show up when they are ready in ‘today’.
Coming into 2022 I’ll be creating projects in Things for actual projects like this blog or other creative outlets, the plan is to keep it simple.
I’m not overthinking my productivity apps this year. I’m going to just use the basic to remember to do stuff.
I’ve felt overwhelmed with my todo setup using Todoist lately and at the end of the year I’ve stopped even checking it. I’ve decided to not worry about my personal projects and just get the basics (things like remembering to pay a bill or put the bins out). Whilst I don’t enjoy how small the font is on Things 3, I do like it’s simplicity. I’m also trying to ignore how it displays repeating reminders and just get on with using it.
I’ve started by creating 3 areas that I want to track – family, me and creative projects I’ll be working on this year.
At the moment I’m entering either a reminder about a project or just time sensitive items I need to remember like putting the bins out every Thursday. I’m not even looking at my other task manager, I’m adding to Things as I think of them.
I’m sure I’m going to forget some stuff early on but by taking it back to zero and building up slowly I’m hoping it’ll calm down the overwhelm.
When setting up my Todo system I’ve always wrestled with adding a due time so that a reminder pops up. I’ve preferred to have a due date so that I can keep a list of items due today but not have notifications with times popping up all over the place.
But, I’m starting to see that being more ridged with forcing myself to have a due time might be the way to go.
I want a simpler setup and having a widget isn’t enough for me to remember the things I need to do in a day. It used to be but as I’ve gotten older and I have more on my plate I’m just forgetting to do things sat in my today list.
I’m also trying to use my iPhone less and without something like an Apple Watch with my list to always be in my face with what I want to do I’m just not keeping on top of things.
I’d recommend starting off with a due time for everything to start with, it’s what I’m going to do now I’m simplifying my setup.
How do you manage this?
LJPUK 