Making GTD more mangeable with org

Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Marcelo de Moraes Serpa]

Hi list,

So, I have been using org for GTD for quite a long time. I love org,
and the more I learn about elisp and about it, the more excited I get
about it, and the more I see there's nothing out there that reaches
the simplicity and powerfulness of org.

However, I started noticing I was getting lost in my own system. This
is partly because I still don't have the habit of reviewing it all
very often, but I also found out that my main gtd.org file (the one
that has projects and next actions/tasks) was getting really long. I
know I could just use use the visibility functions to make it more
mangeable, but somehow I was still getting confused about what to do
at certain points in the day.

Then I had the idea of creating a braindead index. Something that I
could access quickly and that would give me *perspective* and help me
decide what path to take. Here's how it looks like:

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2199/screenshot20110318at120.png

It can be thought of as a:
 * A dashboard
 * Overview of my system - a way to glue the most important parts
 * A way to trigger my mind and help me stay on track (avoid procrastination)
 * A "cache" area where I can list the projects or files that matter
the most *now*
 * A checklist / workflow
 * A quick way to regain perspective and help you go back to the "zone"

I know we have the agenda, but the agenda view doesn't really give me
the perspective I need. It's also more of  GUI for querying data from
your org "database".

I've set it up so that emacs will set this specific buffer as
read-only when opening it. This helps making it more of a dashboard
and prevents me from adding more stuff to it unless I really have to
:) If I need to edit it, I just do a M-x toggle-read-only.

I also bound a small wrapper around a find-file to open this file with
the F3 key. Whenever I need, I can just press F3 and "navigate" from
there.

What I want to do now is setup the links. Is there a way to setup a
link to an agenda function? It'd be nice.

Anyway, I know it might sound like a stupid small thing, but I found
that this entry-point to my system actually helps me stay focused.

What do you think ? Share your thoughts ;)

Marcelo.

Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Matt Lundin]

Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:

> What I want to do now is setup the links. Is there a way to setup a
> link to an agenda function? It'd be nice.

[[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a")][Agenda]]

Replace the "a" with the shortcut of your choice.

Best,
Matt

Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Marcelo de Moraes Serpa]

You guys can't see the screenshot ?

Att,

Marcelo.

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM, Matt Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
> Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:
>
>> What I want to do now is setup the links. Is there a way to setup a
>> link to an agenda function? It'd be nice.
>
> [[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a")][Agenda]]
>
> Replace the "a" with the shortcut of your choice.
>
> Best,
> Matt
>

Re: Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Nick Dokos]

Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> wrote:

> You guys can't see the screenshot ?
> 

What does this mean?

> Att,
> 
> Marcelo.
> 
> On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM, Matt Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
> > Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:
> >
> >> What I want to do now is setup the links. Is there a way to setup a
> >> link to an agenda function? It'd be nice.
> >
> > [[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a")][Agenda]]
> >
> > Replace the "a" with the shortcut of your choice.
> >
> > Best,
> > Matt
> >
> 

Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Matt Lundin]

Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:

> On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM, Matt Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
>> Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:
>>
>>> What I want to do now is setup the links. Is there a way to setup a
>>> link to an agenda function? It'd be nice.
>>
>> [[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a")][Agenda]]
>>
>> Replace the "a" with the shortcut of your choice.

> You guys can't see the screenshot ?

Yes, I can see the screenshot. My response was meant to demonstrate the
syntax of a link that calls an agenda command. I imagine it could
replace the "Agenda" headline in your outline:

--8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8---
* [[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a"][Agenda]]
  - See full list....
--8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8---

If org speed commands are enabled, calling the agenda is as simple as
typing "o" on the headline.

Is this what you are looking for?

Best,
Matt

Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Marcelo de Moraes Serpa]

Thanks, this works for me :)

Anyway, I just wanted to debate over this particular overview file.
Not sure if this really worths it, but has been working for me lately.
You guys use something similar?



On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 3:41 PM, Matt Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
> Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:
>
>> On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM, Matt Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
>>> Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:
>>>
>>>> What I want to do now is setup the links. Is there a way to setup a
>>>> link to an agenda function? It'd be nice.
>>>
>>> [[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a")][Agenda]]
>>>
>>> Replace the "a" with the shortcut of your choice.
>
>> You guys can't see the screenshot ?
>
> Yes, I can see the screenshot. My response was meant to demonstrate the
> syntax of a link that calls an agenda command. I imagine it could
> replace the "Agenda" headline in your outline:
>
> --8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8---
> * [[elisp:(org-agenda nil "a"][Agenda]]
>  - See full list....
> --8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8---
>
> If org speed commands are enabled, calling the agenda is as simple as
> typing "o" on the headline.
>
> Is this what you are looking for?
>
> Best,
> Matt
>

Re: Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Eric S Fraga]

Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com> writes:

> Thanks, this works for me :)
>
> Anyway, I just wanted to debate over this particular overview file.
> Not sure if this really worths it, but has been working for me lately.
> You guys use something similar?

For day to day GTD type things, the agenda with diary entries and todos
works perfectly for me.  For individual tasks, the outline and specific
sparse-tree views of the file(s) associated with that task will give me
everything else I need!

I start my working day with three things, all within emacs (as the focal
point of my computer interactions most of the day): eshell, agenda day
view for today, and gnus.

-- 
: Eric S Fraga (GnuPG: 0xC89193D8FFFCF67D) in Emacs 24.0.50.1
: using Org-mode version 7.5 (release_7.5.83.g1bd87.dirty)

Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Thomas Renkert]

> 
> However, I started noticing I was getting lost in my own system. This
> is partly because I still don't have the habit of reviewing it all
> very often, but I also found out that my main gtd.org file (the one
> that has projects and next actions/tasks) was getting really long. I
> know I could just use use the visibility functions to make it more
> mangeable, but somehow I was still getting confused about what to do
> at certain points in the day.
> 
> Then I had the idea of creating a braindead index. Something that I
> could access quickly and that would give me *perspective* and help me
> decide what path to take. Here's how it looks like:
> 
> http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2199/screenshot20110318at120.png
> 
> It can be thought of as a:
>  * A dashboard
>  * Overview of my system - a way to glue the most important parts
>  * A way to trigger my mind and help me stay on track (avoid procrastination)
>  * A "cache" area where I can list the projects or files that matter
> the most *now*
>  * A checklist / workflow
>  * A quick way to regain perspective and help you go back to the "zone"

> 
> Anyway, I know it might sound like a stupid small thing, but I found
> that this entry-point to my system actually helps me stay focused.
> 
> What do you think ? Share your thoughts ;)
> 
> Marcelo.
> 
> 


Hi Marcelo,

this looks really great! Do you think you could share your code here? 

My ideas would be to start with one "Most important task" at the top of the
list, to include recent emails that need action (links from wanderlust) and so
on. Maybe one could also include things like 5-Minute/10-minute tasks for small
breaks and so on.

Your code would be a great starting point for a more capable dashboard/home
screen. (I have some more ideas on this topic but would rather try your code
first - but maybe this would be a great addition to orgmode, especially for new
users?)

Thomas

Re: Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Marcelo de Moraes Serpa]

Hi Thomas,

Glad you liked it. The code is really simple:

(global-set-key (kbd "<f3>")  (lambda()  (interactive) (find-file
"~/org/index.org")))

(defun set-index-read-only () ""
  (if (equal (buffer-name) "index.org")
      (toggle-read-only)

    )
  )

I've changed the index.org to look like this:

* tags :PERSPECTIVE:GTD:PRODUCTS:4HOURWORKWEEK:IDEAS:PRODUCTIDEAS:WORKFLOW:CHECKLIST


* Daily General GTD Checklist
  * What do want do do today? What to do now? Where am I in my life
regarding the goals and wishes I chose?

1) Check if in.org is full -- too much items? Delay until next friday,
otherwise process them.
2) Check agenda for today. What is there needs to be done.
3) Get perspective: Review
[[file:gtd/horizons_of_focus.org::*Horizons%20Of%20Focus%20/%20GTD%20Overview][Horizons
Of Focus]]
   Horizons of focus list the main levels of my life. I can navigate
from there if I want and get
   the so needed perspective.
3) Get perspective and setup the ground for the day: Check list of
@work projects - mark them for today as needed.
   I can also mark next actions (TODOs)
4) Get perspective and setup teh ground for the day: Check list of
@personal projects - mark them for today as needed.
   I can also mark next actions (TODOs)


By the way, does anyone know how I could get the org file opened
unfolded? I've tried adding (show-all) and, when this hasn't worked
(org-cycle '(16)) just after (toggle-read-only) in the body of the def
but it did not work.

The point is to have quick access to a main checklist (I'd say this is
a GTD review checklist) so I can regain perspective fast (I loose
perspective too often). It's also good when you are braindead and want
to go ahead and don't know where to start, and although I have
internalized the GTD workflow, having a reference like this helps. I'm
planning to add a list of other ("domain"-specific) checklist in this
file as well.

Cheers,

Marcelo.

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 8:21 AM, Thomas Renkert <thomas.renkert@gmx.de> wrote:
>
>>
>> However, I started noticing I was getting lost in my own system. This
>> is partly because I still don't have the habit of reviewing it all
>> very often, but I also found out that my main gtd.org file (the one
>> that has projects and next actions/tasks) was getting really long. I
>> know I could just use use the visibility functions to make it more
>> mangeable, but somehow I was still getting confused about what to do
>> at certain points in the day.
>>
>> Then I had the idea of creating a braindead index. Something that I
>> could access quickly and that would give me *perspective* and help me
>> decide what path to take. Here's how it looks like:
>>
>> http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2199/screenshot20110318at120.png
>>
>> It can be thought of as a:
>>  * A dashboard
>>  * Overview of my system - a way to glue the most important parts
>>  * A way to trigger my mind and help me stay on track (avoid procrastination)
>>  * A "cache" area where I can list the projects or files that matter
>> the most *now*
>>  * A checklist / workflow
>>  * A quick way to regain perspective and help you go back to the "zone"
>
>>
>> Anyway, I know it might sound like a stupid small thing, but I found
>> that this entry-point to my system actually helps me stay focused.
>>
>> What do you think ? Share your thoughts ;)
>>
>> Marcelo.
>>
>>
>
>
> Hi Marcelo,
>
> this looks really great! Do you think you could share your code here?
>
> My ideas would be to start with one "Most important task" at the top of the
> list, to include recent emails that need action (links from wanderlust) and so
> on. Maybe one could also include things like 5-Minute/10-minute tasks for small
> breaks and so on.
>
> Your code would be a great starting point for a more capable dashboard/home
> screen. (I have some more ideas on this topic but would rather try your code
> first - but maybe this would be a great addition to orgmode, especially for new
> users?)
>
> Thomas
>
>
>

Re: Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Matthew Sauer]

In terms of the unfolded startup try:

#+STARTUP: nofold

Matthew

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:40 PM, Marcelo de Moraes Serpa
<celoserpa@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Thomas,
>
> Glad you liked it. The code is really simple:
>
> (global-set-key (kbd "<f3>")  (lambda()  (interactive) (find-file
> "~/org/index.org")))
>
> (defun set-index-read-only () ""
>  (if (equal (buffer-name) "index.org")
>      (toggle-read-only)
>
>    )
>  )
>
> I've changed the index.org to look like this:
>
> * tags :PERSPECTIVE:GTD:PRODUCTS:4HOURWORKWEEK:IDEAS:PRODUCTIDEAS:WORKFLOW:CHECKLIST
>
>
> * Daily General GTD Checklist
>  * What do want do do today? What to do now? Where am I in my life
> regarding the goals and wishes I chose?
>
> 1) Check if in.org is full -- too much items? Delay until next friday,
> otherwise process them.
> 2) Check agenda for today. What is there needs to be done.
> 3) Get perspective: Review
> [[file:gtd/horizons_of_focus.org::*Horizons%20Of%20Focus%20/%20GTD%20Overview][Horizons
> Of Focus]]
>   Horizons of focus list the main levels of my life. I can navigate
> from there if I want and get
>   the so needed perspective.
> 3) Get perspective and setup the ground for the day: Check list of
> @work projects - mark them for today as needed.
>   I can also mark next actions (TODOs)
> 4) Get perspective and setup teh ground for the day: Check list of
> @personal projects - mark them for today as needed.
>   I can also mark next actions (TODOs)
>
>
> By the way, does anyone know how I could get the org file opened
> unfolded? I've tried adding (show-all) and, when this hasn't worked
> (org-cycle '(16)) just after (toggle-read-only) in the body of the def
> but it did not work.
>
> The point is to have quick access to a main checklist (I'd say this is
> a GTD review checklist) so I can regain perspective fast (I loose
> perspective too often). It's also good when you are braindead and want
> to go ahead and don't know where to start, and although I have
> internalized the GTD workflow, having a reference like this helps. I'm
> planning to add a list of other ("domain"-specific) checklist in this
> file as well.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Marcelo.
>
> On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 8:21 AM, Thomas Renkert <thomas.renkert@gmx.de> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> However, I started noticing I was getting lost in my own system. This
>>> is partly because I still don't have the habit of reviewing it all
>>> very often, but I also found out that my main gtd.org file (the one
>>> that has projects and next actions/tasks) was getting really long. I
>>> know I could just use use the visibility functions to make it more
>>> mangeable, but somehow I was still getting confused about what to do
>>> at certain points in the day.
>>>
>>> Then I had the idea of creating a braindead index. Something that I
>>> could access quickly and that would give me *perspective* and help me
>>> decide what path to take. Here's how it looks like:
>>>
>>> http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2199/screenshot20110318at120.png
>>>
>>> It can be thought of as a:
>>>  * A dashboard
>>>  * Overview of my system - a way to glue the most important parts
>>>  * A way to trigger my mind and help me stay on track (avoid procrastination)
>>>  * A "cache" area where I can list the projects or files that matter
>>> the most *now*
>>>  * A checklist / workflow
>>>  * A quick way to regain perspective and help you go back to the "zone"
>>
>>>
>>> Anyway, I know it might sound like a stupid small thing, but I found
>>> that this entry-point to my system actually helps me stay focused.
>>>
>>> What do you think ? Share your thoughts ;)
>>>
>>> Marcelo.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Marcelo,
>>
>> this looks really great! Do you think you could share your code here?
>>
>> My ideas would be to start with one "Most important task" at the top of the
>> list, to include recent emails that need action (links from wanderlust) and so
>> on. Maybe one could also include things like 5-Minute/10-minute tasks for small
>> breaks and so on.
>>
>> Your code would be a great starting point for a more capable dashboard/home
>> screen. (I have some more ideas on this topic but would rather try your code
>> first - but maybe this would be a great addition to orgmode, especially for new
>> users?)
>>
>> Thomas
>>
>>
>>
>
>

Re: Re: Making GTD more mangeable with org

[Marcelo de Moraes Serpa]

Ah! Heck, I forgot about org's metadata.. Thanks!

Marcelo.

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:21 PM, Matthew Sauer
<improv.philosophy@gmail.com> wrote:
> In terms of the unfolded startup try:
>
> #+STARTUP: nofold
>
> Matthew
>
> On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:40 PM, Marcelo de Moraes Serpa
> <celoserpa@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Thomas,
>>
>> Glad you liked it. The code is really simple:
>>
>> (global-set-key (kbd "<f3>")  (lambda()  (interactive) (find-file
>> "~/org/index.org")))
>>
>> (defun set-index-read-only () ""
>>  (if (equal (buffer-name) "index.org")
>>      (toggle-read-only)
>>
>>    )
>>  )
>>
>> I've changed the index.org to look like this:
>>
>> * tags :PERSPECTIVE:GTD:PRODUCTS:4HOURWORKWEEK:IDEAS:PRODUCTIDEAS:WORKFLOW:CHECKLIST
>>
>>
>> * Daily General GTD Checklist
>>  * What do want do do today? What to do now? Where am I in my life
>> regarding the goals and wishes I chose?
>>
>> 1) Check if in.org is full -- too much items? Delay until next friday,
>> otherwise process them.
>> 2) Check agenda for today. What is there needs to be done.
>> 3) Get perspective: Review
>> [[file:gtd/horizons_of_focus.org::*Horizons%20Of%20Focus%20/%20GTD%20Overview][Horizons
>> Of Focus]]
>>   Horizons of focus list the main levels of my life. I can navigate
>> from there if I want and get
>>   the so needed perspective.
>> 3) Get perspective and setup the ground for the day: Check list of
>> @work projects - mark them for today as needed.
>>   I can also mark next actions (TODOs)
>> 4) Get perspective and setup teh ground for the day: Check list of
>> @personal projects - mark them for today as needed.
>>   I can also mark next actions (TODOs)
>>
>>
>> By the way, does anyone know how I could get the org file opened
>> unfolded? I've tried adding (show-all) and, when this hasn't worked
>> (org-cycle '(16)) just after (toggle-read-only) in the body of the def
>> but it did not work.
>>
>> The point is to have quick access to a main checklist (I'd say this is
>> a GTD review checklist) so I can regain perspective fast (I loose
>> perspective too often). It's also good when you are braindead and want
>> to go ahead and don't know where to start, and although I have
>> internalized the GTD workflow, having a reference like this helps. I'm
>> planning to add a list of other ("domain"-specific) checklist in this
>> file as well.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Marcelo.
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 8:21 AM, Thomas Renkert <thomas.renkert@gmx.de> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> However, I started noticing I was getting lost in my own system. This
>>>> is partly because I still don't have the habit of reviewing it all
>>>> very often, but I also found out that my main gtd.org file (the one
>>>> that has projects and next actions/tasks) was getting really long. I
>>>> know I could just use use the visibility functions to make it more
>>>> mangeable, but somehow I was still getting confused about what to do
>>>> at certain points in the day.
>>>>
>>>> Then I had the idea of creating a braindead index. Something that I
>>>> could access quickly and that would give me *perspective* and help me
>>>> decide what path to take. Here's how it looks like:
>>>>
>>>> http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2199/screenshot20110318at120.png
>>>>
>>>> It can be thought of as a:
>>>>  * A dashboard
>>>>  * Overview of my system - a way to glue the most important parts
>>>>  * A way to trigger my mind and help me stay on track (avoid procrastination)
>>>>  * A "cache" area where I can list the projects or files that matter
>>>> the most *now*
>>>>  * A checklist / workflow
>>>>  * A quick way to regain perspective and help you go back to the "zone"
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Anyway, I know it might sound like a stupid small thing, but I found
>>>> that this entry-point to my system actually helps me stay focused.
>>>>
>>>> What do you think ? Share your thoughts ;)
>>>>
>>>> Marcelo.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Marcelo,
>>>
>>> this looks really great! Do you think you could share your code here?
>>>
>>> My ideas would be to start with one "Most important task" at the top of the
>>> list, to include recent emails that need action (links from wanderlust) and so
>>> on. Maybe one could also include things like 5-Minute/10-minute tasks for small
>>> breaks and so on.
>>>
>>> Your code would be a great starting point for a more capable dashboard/home
>>> screen. (I have some more ideas on this topic but would rather try your code
>>> first - but maybe this would be a great addition to orgmode, especially for new
>>> users?)
>>>
>>> Thomas
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>