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@If Context

One of the problems I have is coordinating a particular action in one place so that I can complete it in another. For instance, grabbing a book from the office that is ready to be returned to the library as I go out to get coffee on the other side of campus.

Another similar example is that I meant to give something to a friend of mine, have had it in my pocket for several days now, but forgot to give it to him when I saw him today -- even though we spent a few hours together, eating and talking.

I thought about tackling this with dated tasks, which would certainly help in the situation with my friend, but it wouldn't help in the first example. So I think I'm going to try using @If contexts. An example would be, @If - Going past library, then grab book to take back. Or, @If - You see Mark, give him that thing.

Thoughts?

Douglas's picture

A method I use is...

A method I use is to make a task that is a short list of the steps needed and record the @NA category of the first step, when that step is complete I note when is happened and change the category to the next NA. This works well in Outlook and provides a quick traceback to find where the constraint was in getting the task done ( especially useful if the delay was in the @Waiting for category and you can point the finger at someone else ;) )

I have tried assigning multiple categories to a task and then deleting each category as it is completed, it works OK for a short list when the steps are not linearly linked but I feel that there must be a better way - does anybody have any suggestions?

I deal with library books by making a visit to the library a regular event. The whole family knows that when one or all of us go to town in the weekend at least 3 things will happen:

  1. Collect the recycling and deposit it at the depot
  2. Collect read library books and go to the library
  3. Make a grocery list and buy food for the week

This may be too regimented for some but it works for us. It also has the very important benefit of leading by example and showing the kids that I believe reading is important and expect them to make full use of the library. [End Rant]

 
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