How-to use ‘Get It Done’ to get Organized?
February 3, 2010 | 56 Comments
Your Focus Groups
The first thing you will notice after you login to http://getitdoneapp.com are the folders: ‘Inbox’, ‘Today’, ‘Next’, and ‘Someday’. If you are already a “Getting Things Done” or GTD blackbelt, then you might be able to guess what these mean. But for everybody else, let me explain.
Inbox
The inbox is where you dump anything and everything that is on your mind. The theory is, you can only think about a few things at a time so if you dump everything that is on your mind into the inbox, then you can think clearer about what is on the agenda for today.
After you dump all the tasks into your inbox, then you go through each one task and put it into one of the following folders.
Today
Today is, well, what you plan on doing today. Easy enough, right?
Next
Next are tasks that you want to do real soon but you won’t be able to get to them today. Everyday you will probably go through your Next folder and figure out what you are doing for that day.
Someday
Someday should contain all the tasks that you want to do one day but you really don’t have the time or maybe you just don’t want to do them any time soon. You put these tasks in here so you won’t forget about them.
Scheduled
If you drag a task into the Scheduled folder, we will pop up a calendar where you can pick a date in the future when you want us to put the task in your inbox again. This is a great way to keep the things that you don’t have to think about out of sight and out of mind.
Next: How do I manage my tasks?
Gaye Miller 7 Feb 2010
In settings, you say that I can receive an email with my tasks at a scheduled time each morning. This didn’t happen today. Is the email sent to my email account I signed in with, or does it have to go to the email account you have generated for me? If so, what are the pop settings to set this email account up on my computer?
I’m still on the 15 day trial of the website program but have bought the iPhone app. On the app, is there anyway I can email a copy of my tasks to myself so I can print them out?
Thanks and regards,
Gaye.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 7 Feb 2010
You should first check to see if your timezone it set correctly in your settings in your online Get It Done account. Another thing to check is to that it didn’t get stuck in your SPAM folder (if you have one). We send the email to the email address that you signed up with, also make sure that is spelled correctly (also in settings).
You can print out emails right through the online app by using the Export->Print List OR Export->Save Spreadsheet options.
Gaye Miller 7 Feb 2010
Thanks for your response. I’ve checked all those suggestions and everything was correct. My time zone is +10 Brisbane, my email address is correct, I’ve carefully checked my Junk box. What else could it be?
Gaye.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 7 Feb 2010
Gaye,
I think it was a bug on our side for people in that timezone. It should now be fixed, let me know if you still don’t get the next email.
Gaye Miller 10 Feb 2010
Thank you very much. I’ve been receiving daily reminders now. I’m going to sign up – it’s an awesome program.
Karen Cher 12 Feb 2010
Hi,
For some reason my getitdone iphone app stopped syncing with the web version. Everytime it tries to syn, it times-out after 20 seconds. What can I do to fix this?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 12 Feb 2010
We have seen this bug a few times and it is fixed in the next iPhone release we submitted to Apple yesterday.
In the meantime the only way to get around it is to reset your data on your iPhone. You might lose any tasks that are on the iPhone but are not on the server, but all the tasks on the server will be brought down to your iPhone. To do this:
- Go into Get It Done on the iPhone
- Click settings
- click “Reset Data”
Sorry for the inconvenience and keep any eye out for the new iPhone app in the upcoming week. Let us know if this fixed your issue.
Peter 12 Feb 2010
Hi, is there a way to set European dates, day/month/year rather than US dates month/day/year
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 12 Feb 2010
currently no, but it is high on our list of features, keep an eye out for it in a new version
Catherine 13 Feb 2010
Hi,
I bought the app but I’m using it on a Ipod touch. Is there anyway to sync that?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 13 Feb 2010
As long as you are connected to the internet through wi-fi you can sync. You can work offline when you are not connected and sync when you get internet access again.
Greg May 13 Feb 2010
I don’t know if this is the place to leave feature requests/suggestions, but . . .
Maybe I’m more absent-mined than most, but I would find it helpful if the project a task is associated with was displayed somewhere in the task. Unless I’m missing something, the only way to tell for sure (except from memory) what project a task is associated with is to highlight each project and look for the task.
Example: I have a task that says “buy 3-1/4 wood screws” — if I have a dozen house projects going on at the time (not uncommon), I don’t know why I’m buying them if the project title isn’t attached to the task somehow. Even if it went in the dialog only, that would be a help. (I know I can get around this by saying “Buy screws for XXXX,” but that seems to defeat one of the purposes of an organizing tool like this.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 13 Feb 2010
Hi Greg, thanks for the suggestion. We are looking into ways to make projects a little less confusing for everyone.
Currently I tag all my tasks so I could quickly look at the tags and see what project it is associated with.
Karen Cher 14 Feb 2010
Hi Mike- thanks for your timely response. Unfortunately your suggested fix didn’t resolve my issue. My iPhone app reset but still didn’t sync with the laundry list of tasks I created online. I guess I’ll have to wait for the updated app.
Meanwhile, now I can’t log in to my online account. I seem to have forgotten my password and though I submitted an email password request 5 hours ago, I still haven’t received it. I tried 4 more times, and still nothing. Please help…
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 15 Feb 2010
Karen I emailed you instructions, let email me to let me know if it worked
Florence Pennington 15 Feb 2010
I purchased the getitdone for my iPod touch, but can’t connect with your site. What can be done about that??? It seems I can only sync through iTunes, don’t know how to sync from anywhere else. HELP
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 15 Feb 2010
Florance, I will email you so that we can debug this easier. You should receive an email from me shortly.
Rudolf 16 Feb 2010
Hi Mike,
may I suggest that you make easier the entry of new tasks? The best way would be, to have a simple entrance door like ‘Geistesblitz’ at http://www.mindmeister.com. Toodledo opens at least immediately the iphone key board, if you open the new tasks page.
Thanks,
Rudy
Ella 18 Feb 2010
I’m loving using this product. The interface is intuitive and the look aesthetically pleasing.
As I’ve worked more with the projects feature I’ve found that I would really like to have an outcome statement associated with each project that I can see (possibly at the top of the page) when I click on the project. As the GTD system notes having an outcome statement to remind you of the ultimate goal of the project helps provide clarity as you move through the “doing”.
Any possibility this might be in a future update?
Thanks!
Ian Watts 2 Mar 2010
Hi
I have tried loads of web based and iphone task managers, and none quite fit.
However, this is great, and so is the iphone app. One request – any chance of getting compatible attachments to open on the iphone – that would improve my workflow no end.
Cheers
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 2 Mar 2010
We were thinking that too. If there is an easy way to tap into the iPhone’s built in document viewers it might be possible.
and an android app ? 3 Mar 2010
Hi,
I’m very interested with your solution but I’ve got a android smartphone and I’d like to know if you planned to create an app as the one for iphone ?
many thanks
gizmoog
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 3 Mar 2010
yes we will have an android app, we will let everyone know when we get a little closer to it coming out. My guess is in about a month.
John Murphy 8 Mar 2010
Just want to chime in to agree with other user:” but I would find it helpful if the project a task is associated with was displayed somewhere in the task.”
Barry Stephens 12 Mar 2010
Very happy with the website and the iphone app. Both have become a central and dependable part of my daily life. The only piece I am missing is an offline application. I travel often, and long flights are the perfect time for a major review of to do lists – just ask David Allen. Do you have any plans for an offline application (both Mac and PC) to round out the picture?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 12 Mar 2010
We probably won’t come out with a mac/pc version. We made the iPhone app so that you can work offline. Once HTML 5 web browsers are more prevalent we can also do offline access through the web browser.
Dayrl 13 Mar 2010
Any blackberry apps coming soon?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 13 Mar 2010
nothing in the immediate pipeline for blackberry but is is always on the top of our mind for future apps
Rick Jarrett 18 Mar 2010
Morning-
I subcribed yesterday for i year after a 15 day trial that ended a few days ago. I was assured by Michael that my tasks would be up today and they were. Problem is that the tasks are outdated and do not reflect my current items some of which are still pending and some new as of yesterday afternoon.
Please review my account and update asap. I think it’s great to wake up in the am(PST) and see what needs to be done today.
Thanks
Rick j
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 22 Mar 2010
all set, check your email
Charles 11 Apr 2010
Is there a way to drag & Drop “move” an entry within a folder to place the more urgent for that day on top?
Jen 21 Apr 2010
I’m currently doing the 15-day trial of your online app & bought the iPhone version. The one GTD feature you’re missing is contexts (see Pocket Informant for a good example of this). Any plans to add this capability?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 21 Apr 2010
most people are using tags for their context, for example you can have a @home or @work context (or tag) a few people also set up a project called @home or @work with those same tags to further separate the tasks
Gabriele Vegetti 25 Apr 2010
Hi,
I’m a happy user since a couple of weeks, that’s a great piece of software (both web and iPhone apps).
My only complaint is the lack of “Scheduled” option in the iphone app. Any plans to implement it soon?
Also, I’m looking forward to the Android app before buying my next phone.
Thanks
-Gabriele
Heather Berube 28 Apr 2010
I’m trying to switch to Get It Done from Outlook and I’m really missing being able to mark a task as: In Process, Delegated, and Forward (to quickly move the due date forward in time). I’m only seeing the option of Done or Not Done. Am I missing something?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 3 May 2010
how I would set it up is all your tasks in “Today” are “in progress”, set up a new person for all the tasks you want to “delegate” and due dates cn be changed pretty easily from the list by just clicking on it.
Patlick 4 May 2010
Hi,
Can u give an update on the Android app? When will it be available?
Patrick 5 May 2010
Can you please give an update on the android app? When will it be available? Can’t wait to start using it!
Keep up the good work.
Markus Eriksson 26 May 2010
I (like many other) use tag as GTD-context. I would like my projects to be context free and my tasks in the project then has tags (and context) attached to them.
The project itself cannot have a context since it cannot be performed at any specific location.
Is it possible to create projects without a tag connected to them?
Susan 15 Jun 2010
Yea, I now have 11 days left on my online trial. I was emailing someone about how it won’t sync with my ipod, but I haven’t heard from him in a while. The app on the ipod says it’s syncing, but the window online remains the intro window. That little “buy now” thing every time I log in is getting irritating. No. Why buy something I can’t sync to?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 15 Jun 2010
Can you try to delete the app from the iPhone and “re-buy” it through the Apple App Store on the iPhone? Apple will not charge you twice for the same app.
This almost always fixes any sync issues.
Daryl 19 Jun 2010
Where can I read about privacy and security for my GetItDone files? I love the ability to send e-mails and have them logged as tasks but I am wondering about the protection I have (or, more to the point, my company has if I send e-mails from work.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 19 Jun 2010
All your data is stored on Amazon.com’s Secure servers. For more information please see their security page:
http://aws.amazon.com/security/
All of your data is encrypted in transit when you use our secure server: https://getitdoneapp.com
Also, Get It Done will never share any of your information with anybody, period. We take your privacy very seriously.
Susan 22 Jun 2010
Yes, as another poster said, it is a shame I can’t assign tasks to projects. I am using the ipod app. I have 3 days left on my online trial & still haven’t gotten it set up since it looks like I’ll have to delete the ipod app & I’m realizing the project feature isn’t that useful.
For example, I make a tag called ‘house projects’ & one task was paint bedroom. Another was get a desk for my son’s room. Then I made a project called ‘work on bedroom.’ The problem is that when I choose a tag for it, ‘house projects,’ then it includes the task about my son’s desk, which has nothing to do with the bedroom. Tags seem like they’d be general sorting categories, while projects are finite & include specific tasks. It doesn’t make sense to include every task with a certain tag. My workaround now is to make a whole bunch of tags, then make a project for each tag. So now there is a ‘work on bedroom’ tag & a ‘work on bedroom’ project. I need to be able to assign just certain tasks to projects. Is this coming? I otherwise like the look of this app onscreen, I find it clear, but the many tags I have to make & the relative uselessness of projects detracts.
Anthony 16 Jul 2010
Hi,
Just wondering when the Android app will be done. Last post was May and said a couple of weeks. I switched to RTM, but would like to switch back.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 16 Jul 2010
submitted it to google this week, should be out soon
Olly 17 Jul 2010
It looks like one of the tasks on the homepage screen shot is color coded… How do I do that?
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 17 Jul 2010
it’s out today!
http://getitdoneapp.com/google-android-todo-list-task-manager.php
let us know what you think!
Olly 19 Jul 2010
Anybody out there?
MrRagno 26 Jul 2010
Hi,
I like the interface of your app, however, in my view the lack of customisation for the menus on the left, restricts the user as different people use GTD in different ways. It would be great if those could be modified, making the implementation easier to customise.
do you think this feature would be implemented in the future?
thanks
Connie 14 Aug 2010
How do I capture the previous month’s activities in a PDF so that I can have it to document them and associated expenses for income tax purposes?
Thanks!
Daniel 22 Aug 2010
I’m exploring whether this product will suit my needs (and that of my staff) now that I am about to need to work in a part Windows rather than all mac environment. So this will mean at home I am mac, work I am windows, and I will have an iphone.
One thing I notice is missing with GID is an ability to work offline on my laptop – and I have not yet loaded the iphone app as yet, but working on the iPhone is not acceptable in terms of volume of work and speed of typing etc. There are instances (eg flying) where the net is not accessible.
Have I got this right that the only ability to work with GID is when online or via the phone apps? Any thoughts of a software package here?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Daniel
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 22 Aug 2010
Currently the only way to work offline is to use the iphone, android, or soon an iPad. Once HTML5 web browsers become more popular we will use that technology for you to work offline.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 22 Aug 2010
I would go into your ‘completed items’ folder and print out the list from there
Daniel 22 Aug 2010
Thanks.
One other question: It looks like the way to synch between phone and laptop is a wireless network only. Is there a way to do it with Bluetooth or something else? My office doesn’t yet use a wireless network for example (although I plan to change this) so this would mean if working in the office I can only synch to my phone when away from the office, so essentially I can’t take an updated GID on the phone out of the office if I work on my laptop in the office.
Mike 'Get It Done' Staff 22 Aug 2010
You do not need wifi to sync your phone, you can do it over the regular cellular network. Any iPhone or Android phone should be able to do this. Just to clarify, when you make a change on your laptop all the changes are automatically saved on the internet (the cloud), any phone that can access the internet through wifi or the regular cellular or 3G connection can now sync with your online account.