Comments on: Google spreadsheet as a GTD list manager

By: JohnG

JohnG — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:02:22 +0000

Great GTD list! ” Reset watch calendar on October 1 :)? Google Sheets can be a good PM tool.

By: GTD Times Staff

GTD Times Staff — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 22:33:29 +0000

In reply to Dave B.

Hi Dave,

Dependent tasks (also called “future actions”) can go in a variety of places. If you want to keep it in the Google family, you might try Google Keep or Drive. We’re about to release an update to our GTD & Google Apps Setup Guide to include more instruction on using Keep in particular: https://gtdconnect.com/store/home.php?cat=263

We’ll post an announcement about that new update to the guide on GTDTimes.com.

Hope that helps!

By: Dave B

Dave B — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 05:39:27 +0000

In reply to Thomas B. You touched on an item I‘m wondering how to handle. Let's say we have 50 projects with next actions for each. However each project may have quite a few other tasks. Some could be have been selected as the next action, but wasn't, some tasks could be done now and some may depend on other tasks that have not yet been completed. Where do we put all of these other tasks? If on the main spreadsheet, really makes it a long list, but if not there, easy to overlook opportunities to complete. Ideas?

By: reg

reg — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:34:52 +0000

I find all these systems are just list makers and theres a higher level of planning that needs to be done. Working on projects is fine but sometimes theres multiple projects aiming towards a common goal .. Many programs leave out that all important thing – GOAL why am i doing this in the first place in my life ..

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 19:25:30 +0000

Hi. Do you think this is too static though? I would have thought a good system needs at least some checkbox for cimporting to remove the task and more importantly automated re-ordering if you change the date. Would be good to group them by days also. I would like to use a spreadsheet due to adding my own custom columns not found in standard to do lists (e.g. Costs) but automation/dynamic processing is also important to make it quick.

By: Thomas B

Thomas B — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:38 +0000

Holy s..t!
This is just what Ive been looking for for the past 6 months, ever since I got into GTD! I feel like I have just discovered the wheel!

I ve been using google spreadsheet for project management and as action list for couple of days now. What a relief. Sort by date, sort by project, sort by context. Rules to make overdue items glow red, ability to link to action support materials in google docs and to messages in Gmail. This is priceless.

Who needs all those overcomplicated apps like RTM, Outlook or My Life Organized?

Thanks!

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:15:04 +0000

This is a great solution, I love it and am totally converted. In particular:

I love being able to quickly switch between project view and context view according to where my thinking is right then. I’ve found the “List View” (under View menu) is particularly useful for this, and saves you needing to have separate tabs for each project or context, as it does it all for you.

The form for entering tasks is great, as I can include verbal prompts to just have the very next action. Just edit the form to customise it however you want. I then have a shortcut to the form in my bookmarks bar for a quick link. I put a direct link to the list in there too!

The flexibility of leaving it online (so can access from work or home), or printing a copy or downloading the form as an excel or text file is also very useful to me. For me this has a lot of the advantages of simple text files, but with easier rearranging etc and entry.

Thanks for sharing this!

By: Carol Berns

Carol Berns — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:38:22 +0000

Nothing like Listpro – I’m going to take these ideas and run with them – awesome.

By: Joe C

Joe C — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:22:19 +0000

Hey,
Like the spreadsheet (but then again I’m partial to them!). Also agree with Danny that I would love to have tasks and calendar in one function. I use a BB curve and have been struggling with this and haven’t perfected a system yet. Anyone got any ideas other than expensive programs like ToDo Matrix and such? I’m looking to integrate tasks and calendar. Right now, I mostly put the tasks in the calendar as untimed appts. Any ideas are welcome.

By: Ron Lane

Ron Lane — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:32:35 +0000

I like this. It’s simple and able to keep all of you lists together and it’s portable, because google docs can been seen at any internet site, including your phone if you are out and about and have some extra time.