GTD with Gmail (Part I)

I’ve previously mentioned that I use Gmail to manage GTD. I thought it would be appropriate to explain my implementation for others to utilize, comment on and improve upon the process. David Allen’s famous first step is collection. He tells us to use as many inboxes as we need, but as few as we can get away with. I use two: my Hipster PDA and my Gmail inbox. The Hipster is for collection when electronic means aren’t feasible, i.e., away from the computer or when a collection-necessary idea presents itself while I’m too busy to open my email. At collection-time each Hipster index card is converted into an email. Otherwise, the thought goes straight into an email to ‘Me’ for processing as soon as possible. Important Note: ‘Me’ is the contact that points directly to my Gmail account. If you use forwarding addresses to your Gmail, sending yourself an email using the fowarding address will only place the email in ‘Sent’ which is a pain for processing. My point in this first step is identical to David Allen’s: clear your mind of anything that needs your attention and put it somewhere you trust. Tomorrow: processing from Gmail’s inbox.

32 Responses to “GTD with Gmail (Part I)”

  1. JV Says:

    I may be getting ahead of you here — but if you combine a filter with the forwarding address, you can send the item directly to any project or context. For example, I have a label “@Work” for items I need to do while at work. I setup a filter to label everything sent to “myinbox+work@gmail.com” as “@Work”. Then I send myself an email to “myinbox+work@gmail.com”. Presto, my new action shows up in my work context AND it’s marked read (since I sent it to myself).

    For extra credit, setup a contact that points to “myinbox+work@gmail.com”, and then you only have to hit the first letter (say “w” for “Work”) when composing.

  2. Tom Markiewicz Says:

    GTD with Gmail

    While trying to learn as much as possible about Getting Things Done (prior post), I saw a post from Slacker Manager referencing GTD with Gmail.

    To this point, I haven’t been the biggest fan of Gmail, but it was very interesting to see how someone i…

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  4. wholesome goodness Says:

    Out There: April 26, 2005

    GTD With GmailSome great tips on making Gmail work as your organizer.

  5. 5Russells.net » Getting Things Done with Gmail Says:

    […] 5 Getting Things Done with Gmail Filed under: General — Larry @ 6:22 am GTD with Gmail is a multi part series on using Gmail to organize your life. […]

  6. space-age wasteland » Blog Archive » GTD with Gmail (Conclusion) Says:

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  8. Thomas Korte Says:

    Gmail Cheat Sheet

    Gmail shortcuts are an easy way to navigate and operate Gmail without having to use your mouse (it is much faster)! I have taped a Gmail cheat sheet to my laptop to learn thoseshortcuts and have since been asked about…

  9. space-age wasteland » Blog Archive » GTD with GMail + Futuremail Says:

    […] iend Jonathan over at Stark Raving Calm has put together a quick howto on the next step of GTD with Gmail: implementation of the tickler using Futuremail. Be sure to check it out. It& […]

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  13. Main Hantam Saja :: Use GMail as a personal organizer :: July :: 2005 Says:

    […] create an extremely useful personal organizer system right in your inbox. Here is another great article on a “Getting Things Done” system in GMail.

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  14. gadget Says:

    Getting Things Done — Cool way to organize your life. Using gmail to help out really makes a lot of sense. Good post.

  15. Sacramento Web Developers SIG » Blog Archive » First Meeting Wrap Up Says:

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  16. The Wire » links for 2006-04-22 Says:

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