Last week, I talked about using a paper based journal. What if you forget it, don’t have enough to write, or just plain want to use something digital?

This happens to me from time to time. You know I use iPhone. I use the Things app in the phone. I’ve tried a few options for this over the years, and my take has always been the same – when you take a digital “note”, once you save it, it’s gone. You have to go in and look for it. If I could remember to go in and look for it, I wouldn’t need the reminder in the first place. Haha.

For me to use this platform, I need to do several things to make it relevant and usable – not just an exercise of typing something that will get lost forever.

1. I created a “New Area” (Blue Plus sign) and did one for Callaway and one for home. I can put each category of tasks where they go.
2. Add a widget screen on the phone. If I can’t see the list 100 times a day, it’s meaningless to me.
3. In the Widget screen, I created a “Stack” of both of my things apps. I can see the Callaway To Do’s by default, then when I swipe down within the widget, I can see my Home To Do’s. If I click on the blue plus sign in either, I can create a new to do in either group and it will land in the right group..
4. Add notification badges to the app. If I see a 4 with a big red circle around it, I know I have 4 things left to do.
5. Add a DUE DATE to every task. That gives it a badge. I do it for YESTERDAY. That gives it a notification badge immediately.
6. I set a Scheduled Notification Summary where I get notified of tasks to be completed in Things at 8am and 5pm every day.
7. I set a Reminder for each task for 8am the next day. No notifications = nothing left to do. See the reminder, do the task, go on with your day.

Try Things. It is way more versatile than the native app on the phone. It’s no charge on the app store.

Happy Professionalism. Enjoy your work/ life balance.