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by gmays 4560 days ago
Email.

I have Gmail labels for different categories and different priorities/complexities. My goal is inbox zero, so when I finish my list I pull from the labels based on the priority, complexity, and what area I'm working in (i.e. marketing, dev, content, etc.).

If I'm busy or something comes up I'll just push the items back into the folders to clear my mind and pull them out again later. If items are quick (i.e. I can do them in under a minute) I'll usually knock them out all at one time.

I'm sure there are other great solutions out there, but I don't need yet another app/account and the pain isn't great enough to switch or even try anything else. When it comes to apps (and most things), I'm a minimalist.

If Google incorporated (or someone built) a better to-do list (i.e. more robust than tasks) that worked well with Gmail they'd have massive adoption. I saw the Todoist Gmail plugin, but it's not what I'm looking for. I'd like to set some labels as to do lists. For example, if I move some emails to a label/folder I'd be able to set a priority for them and optionally a due date. I'd also be able to set a default reminder schedule for each one.

Something that isn't too complicated and uses a lot of what already exists. The key is using the workflows, processes, and tools that people already use and just making it better.

1 comments

I like this idea, but would it work if I'm using the mail app on OS Mavericks? Would the labels import?

Might be time to switch away from the mail app anyways, seems to really bog down my system.

Not sure. I tried the mail app, but it was too cumbersome. I just use Gmail in Safari on OS Mavericks and the Gmail app on the iPhone. On OS Mavericks it works well enough with desktop notifications.