Keep Productive: Tiago's Things 3 Account Overview

Introduction

• Second video in a series on task management tools.
• Tiago Forte shares insights into his Things 3 account and task management system.

About Things 3

• Tiago has been using Things 3 since around 2012.
• Made by the German company Cultured Code, based in Berlin.
• Known for its minimalistic and well-crafted design.
• Releases features infrequently but thoughtfully.

Key Features of Things 3

• Minimalistic Interface:
  • Sidebar that can be hidden to reduce clutter.
• Quick Capture Window:
  • Activated by a keyboard shortcut (Control + Spacebar).
  • Allows capturing tasks without switching applications.
  • Tasks appear directly in the inbox.
  • Can also capture URLs from emails/websites (Control + Option + Spacebar).
• Project Organization:
  • Projects act as dashboards (similar to GTD’s project list).
  • Can create new projects from the bottom left of the screen.
  • Option to use emojis for easy identification.
  • Tiago prefers keeping most projects in a simple flat list at the top for quick overview.

Managing Tasks and Projects

• Inbox:
  • Used for capturing 'open loops' throughout the day.
  • Quick and non-disruptive.
• Someday Projects:
  • Used for tasks/projects to be revisited later; Tiago doesn’t use them frequently.
• Weekly Review Process:
  • Prioritizes tasks into high and medium categories.
  • Reviews email, calendar, physical inbox, and various digital tools.
  • Uses a simple template to streamline processes.
• Daily/Weekly Task Management:
  • Prioritizes tasks that are actionable within the week.
  • Uses a 'Today' list to focus on immediate tasks (5-10 items at most).
• Tags and Contexts:
  • Tiago doesn't use tags extensively due to his digital nomad lifestyle.
  • Focuses more on his state of mind and readiness for tasks.

Final Thoughts

• Tiago plans to continue using Things 3 unless a revolutionary new software emerges.
• Emphasizes the importance of habitual and energy-efficient task capturing.
• Connect with Tiago:
  • Twitter: @ForteLabs
  • Website: fortelabs.co
  • Online courses: Building a Second Brain, etc.

Upcoming Content

• Mention of transitioning to Notion for the next part of the series.