Unless you already use Emacs, I can’t recommend spending lots of time to get into it. It’s a very complex and powerful system built around a text editor.
I use org-mode in Emacs when on a computer, paired with Orgzly on Android on my phone. Files are plain text, like Markdown. At its simplest, org-mode is nested headlines that you can easily move and rearrange.
I believe Obsidian is similar: https://obsidian.md
I’ve been using Obsidian.md for almost 3 years now that’s because it’s amazing. I like it over Logseq because Obsidian is more about the writing experience, using paragraphs and whatnot, unlike the former.
I was going to come here to say this. As a person who lives in Org-mode, go for it if you’re interested and have a few years to dedicate to it. Check out org-roam.
Obsidian if you want to do something with your life and get 90% of the benefit of org mode and roam out of the box.
I’m a vi guy myself, but that’s a fight for a different day. I’m using Amplenote, which I think is somewhat similar to obsidian, and I like it, but like all new things I try, I used it extensively for the first week, then I’ve stopped using it that much. I like the idea of combining notes with the tasks, but it’s somewhat not as smooth to me as my brain would like.
For me, I have to write things down to remember to do them. So I’ve formed a habit around writing in org-mode both as reminders and for planning.
When I plan some complex code, I write out the steps in an org-mode document and move sections around, rearrange steps, etc etc.
Making the experience as smooth as possible can help, but mostly I think my workflow has been “someone asks me to do something. I immediately write it down so I don’t lose it.”
Yeah I’ve found that writing things down keeps me in the moment and prevents me from zoning out, but I can’t bring myself to write stuff down because it’s that starting trouble. Any tips on making it into a habit?
Several things worked for me:
- At the beginning of my work day, I have to login to Jira and view my tickets. I visualize myself doing that, and then creating my to-do list for the day from org-mode. It brings forward unfinished tasks from the previous day, so there’s a process or workflow: log in, open Jira, start new to-do file, compare file with Jira, update either Jira or the to-do file or both. I guess it works because it’s not just the to-do list, it’s several other things happening at the same time. So you’re not “updating a to-do list” you’re “starting work for the day”. Reframing the action can sometimes help.
- Gaming it. If I get asked for a status update, I get “points” if I have the information I was asked for already in either Jira or my to-do file. That’s enough for a little dopamine reward because I was prepared. This follows a thread in my life where I really value being prepared ahead of time. Like anticipating cars ahead of me and braking before they do. How much of the future can I predict and adapt to with the minimum effort?
- Visualizing. This is a bit woo-adjacent. I picture myself sitting down at my desk and remembering my to-do list. It works for me, but most people look at me like I’m a Sasquatch or something! Visualize doing something the next time you sit at a particular desk, or when you enter the office. I hope it works for others too!
If I think of more I’ll add it in other comments. I really hope you can find some tricks that work for you!
I’ll try those, thanks!
I use trello for todo lists. I use both cards and checklists in the cards
I also use trello to remember recommendations by type (books, movies, shows, places to eat) and add notes to remember who recommended them
It’s been a while since I used Trello, but how is the notification system on it? Do you get notifications on the phone app? Does it have snooze?
I don’t use notifications so i wouldn’t know. :(.
For organizing it works well for me. I can create my own bins.
I make: todo(backlog of things needing attention so i can stop obsessing about them), today , in progress(i try to keep this small), blocked, done(periodically clear this out but let it build up a bit for short dopamine bursts)When an item is complex with small sub steps, I use a checklist within an item so i don’t forget things.
I use many, many many alarms on my phone for notifications. Whenever a task has a time component… i use an alarm so i don’t forget and i can let my mind rest.
Keeping it simple works for me, so I stick with Apple Reminders and leverage smart tags to keep everything organized and give me an “at a glance” view. I can open Reminders and see things categorized by:
- level of effort
- estimated time to complete
- category (home, school, kids, etc)
I’ve tried a lot of other tools in the past but too many options keeps me in a constant state of tweaking instead of getting things done. Plus I like being able to just say out loud what I need to add to my list and share it with my family without them having to get another app.
Notes are a bit trickier for me. I still use OneNote for work (and hate it), but I use Apple Notes for home and Goodnotes for school. I’ll probably end up going Apple Notes for the same reasons as Reminders, but I’m still hesitant for some reason.
Simple for me too! I use Google Tasks (RIP Reminders but Tasks is already better) just out of ease. It’s right there on my phone and if something pops into my head, I can just call out to Google Assistant to add it to the list for x day/time.
I actually love OneNote - I use it predominantly at work to organise and info dump EVERYTHING. We have pretty strict IT policy though so it’s really my only option. I wish the phone app was easier to navigate, as I’ve not found a reliable notes app on Android (I have so much stuff split across multiple notes apps that I just kinda gave up).
I love hearing that other people prefer a simple approach. All too often people recommend overly complex systems that could be daunting to someone who’s looking for help. Start off simple and then add complexity if you need it.
I, too, only have that option at work. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with OneNote, but I think it’s a bit too busy for me. As I get older and understand my ADHD and Autism more, I find that a minimalist approach helps me remain productive.
@nieceandtows I have been on a quest this last year to find the right set of tools.
I went in deep with OneNote and added extensions to it. The problem is that it is still proprietary and does not do everything I need.
Then comes Obsidian.md. It uses markdown for formatting and works like a plain text wiki. 1000 extensions and some clever ways to integrate your workflow.For todos, I’m currently trying out todoist. It’s like Todo+date (can be repeated like every day/week etc)+priorities and a few tags and stuff. I can’t say it works for me nor that it doesn’t work, it’s been a few weeks only, but a trick to somehow make it work (I mean like use the app to help you accomplish stuff and not delay it) is to write down everything: fold the laundry, wash the dishes… And then organize them when you feel like it, give them a date so that you do them when you need to. I look at the app every morning to know what I have to do, and just doing things to mark them as done feels good (tho I must admit that I let a few todos roll over multiple days because they are daunting tasks but at least I do them).
For notes I have had Google note but it was hard to organize them and find your way through. Now I use obsidian at work (miss colors and tags but there is markdown and folders), and notion for personal stuff. Notion is great but my database is growing quickly and even if I love organizing it and could spend days just putting tags, folders, colors, arranging everything to be perfect, I feel a bit overwhelmed because, well, it’s huge. I may need to make a central hub page with links to everything I use frequently?
Notepad++ One tab per day then save all the tabs by week. Best part is the autosave so if the PC gets rebooted, the tabs stay.
Todark, the best app for me, the design is amazing which makes me wanna open it once in a while to look at my to-dos.
Definitely Notion. I love how I can subdivide things and make lists of lists and stuff like that. I use it for all sorts of things.
I came here to recommend this.
I’m also using “Finch” which is a really nice self help app. It’s best if you can use it with a couple of other people, because it’s gamified a bit and people visiting your little bird avatar is fun.
You can add to do items, make them recurring, multiple times a day, etc etc. When you complete an item, your little adventuring Finch character gets a boost.
I highly recommend it for a cutesy fun laid back way to manage recurring self help tasks like “survive the day” and “take a shower”.
That looks interesting, I’ll check that out, thanks!
I have iOS. I use minimalist. I bought the lifetime access for the widget. I can also add whatever on a list without opening the app. It’s great.
I also used finch. It worked very well.
It doesn’t matter for me here, I’ll stop using it soon as its no longer novel. I have used Obsidian, works well. Also just spreadsheets with checkboxes, that one is not mobile friendly though.
