43 Folders

Back to Work

Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.

Join us via RSS, iTunes, or at 5by5.tv.

”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

What are your contexts?

I have been rereading some of Merlin's posts now that I have started GTD implementation and his post about contexts was really helpful because I am unsure about the contexts that I have set up. I found it interesting to read his list of contexts, and thought it would be helpful to hear what others have in their lists of contexts.

Please post your contexts, maybe with a little explanation about the logic behind your system. Thanks.

Here is my list (feel free to critique it):

home: computer
home: calls
home: do
home: client
out: client
out: errands
think, create
work: calls
work: errands
work: phone
work: computer

My logic: I have a home business that involves selling stuff online, meeting clients outside my home and also having clients to my house, plus I have a night job (for rent money and benefits) where, if I have downtime, I can do whatever I want (within reason) including phone calls, research, errands etc. I split out errands to "out" and "work" because there are some errands I can do near work, but actually those can be done at anytime, like on my way to work, so I will probably eliminate "work: errands". "Home: do" is a catch-all for chores and non-work stuff around the house that doesn't fit the other categories; I am thinking of breaking that out a little more. "Think, create" is another catchall for brainstorming, sketching, mulling in a controlled situation...not just daydreaming, but working out ideas for a specific project.

Berko's picture

So do I have too...

Chrome47 wrote:
So do I have too many contexts? Am I being too specific? (But look at Merlin's contexts--he's got 26!!)

If you remember to look at all of them, then I say not. Again, if it's working for you... My problem with so many was that I can't remember or be bothered to switch cards that often. As far as @Errands, I break that down into NAs that are ganged mosquito tasks. So, if I write "Buy conditioner" on my capture card, it gets put on my Target shopping list and then Target goes on my @Errands NA card so that I remember to actually go to Target. This is important for me because I am working on saving gas as much as possible and if I go to Target on my way to or from church, it's not out of the way as much as going to the one closer to my house (if that makes any sense at all). It's a tricky business when to put my "Go to $store_name" on the NA list. If it's pressing, I put it on as soon as there is an item on the card. For instance, if the dog is running desperately low on food, dog food goes on the Target card and then Target immediately goes on my @Errands card. If he has more than a week's worth left, then it doesn't go on until my next review. This keeps me from cluttering up a shopping list with things from different places and it keeps me from having to lump in my $store_name cards with my other hPDA cards, thus cluttering up my hPDA. My $store_name cards are cached quasi-offline in a plastic card case that is smaller than my archive one (about an inch thick I would guess). This goes with me in the car or bag and I pull it out when I need it. It also houses some blanks, dividers, and spare DIY Planner hPDA cards for GTD AIO and Projects.

 
EXPLORE 43Folders THE GOOD STUFF

Popular
Today

Popular
Classics

An Oblique Strategy:
Honor thy error as a hidden intention


STAY IN THE LOOP:

Subscribe with Google Reader

Subscribe on Netvibes

Add to Technorati Favorites

Subscribe on Pageflakes

Add RSS feed

The Podcast Feed

Cranking

Merlin used to crank. He’s not cranking any more.

This is an essay about family, priorities, and Shakey’s Pizza, and it’s probably the best thing he’s written. »

Scared Shitless

Merlin’s scared. You’re scared. Everybody is scared.

This is the video of Merlin’s keynote at Webstock 2011. The one where he cried. You should watch it. »