if it weren’t attached. Well, maybe not, but I have been having a rather difficult time of keeping track of all of my appointments, meetings, and project deadlines. Since the age of 13 I’ve been in love with planners and datebooks, most likely because I want something to do this work FOR me. The problem I’ve had with paper datebooks is that I forget them everywhere and they’re too easy to ignore if I want to avoid a task.
I’m currently using 2 different online services to help me stay organized.
Remember the Milk
I found this one because of a question I asked on twitter about missing a Skype chat interview because I completely forgot about it. I received about 6 responses saying that I HAD to try Remember the Milk. I figured that was endorsement enough. You can check out their site for information in MUCH more detail, including their integration with things like Blackberry and iPhone, which I don’t use.
Here’s a brief explanation of what the service does, from their site:
Here’s how I use the service:
I have the task window set up in gmail so it appears next to my inbox - I have gmail open at all times, so this is the easiest spot for me to see what I have coming up. I can add tasks right from that window as well. I also add tasks via email and twitter and receive reminders via email and twitter. Tasks are very easy to add and edit. I’m really liking RTM, although it has a “postpone” option for tasks, which always gets me in trouble! Oh, and the service is FREE, my favorite thing on earth.
If my word doesn’t convince you, my tweet-buddies Damian Bariexca, Durff, and Phil Miller say:
Wrike
Now, why would I use 2 services? Well, I use Wrike for my work with one of my clients - Wrike is a project management service for organizations and allows us to share tasks and create detailed reports. Here’s what the site says:
“Wrike is an integrated online project management solution that helps you manage projects, teams and businesses. By turning email overload into well-organized plans on the Web, Wrike makes your organization more efficient, transparent and agile. Wrike is collaborative, web-based, easy to use and inexpensive, so you can roll it out company-wide.”
I’m still learning my way around Wrike at the moment, but believe once I master it it will prove extremely useful. This service is NOT free, however. After a 30-day trial, there are subscription rates starting at $3.99/user per month. You can also check out this review by Richard Morochove on PC World’s “Net Work” - Project Management Lite: Basecamp and Wrike.
The Bottom Line
What about the things I miss that I didn’t even KNOW were happening? Well, my friend Linda Bilak tends to let me know via twitter! I’ll open up twhirl in the morning and she’ll dm me to tell me about any cool stuff I missed the day/night before. See, personal interaction triumphs over technology! RTM and Wrike can’t do THAT for me………
Joking aside, I’d highly suggest Remember the Milk for personal task management and Wrike for group project management. If you have advice to give me on either, send it my way!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I can add it to iGoogle page too so all the stuff i want to ignore is on one page. Oh! Am I supposed to do that? Oops! (Great post Kate)
My outlook calendar works pretty well for me since I check my email all of the time. I will try Remember the Milk though. It sounds like an extra “alarm clock.”
Love, love, love RTM. Two more weapons in my organizational arsenal:
Google Calendar: an easy to use, clean, white calendar with drag & drop interface. We used to keep a monthly calendar in our kitchen with all our dr’s appointments, days off school, etc. Now EVERYTHING goes on our family Google Calendar. Even my technophobic wife has learned to use it well. :-)
GoPingMe.com: Get reminders via SMS, Twitter DM, or email! Type a short (140 character) message into the box, set a date and time to be reminded, and forget about it. I use this for minor tasks that don’t really warrant a spot on my RTM list, or things I have to do when I’m not near a computer (e.g., get gas on the way home, stop at ATM, etc.). I’ve tried three or four SMS reminder services, but GoPingMe is the ONLY one I’ve tried that consistently sends the reminders at the assigned time - other services frequently send reminders as much as an hour early or an hour late - not much use, that.
@Durff - I like knowing that I’m at least TRYING to get things done, even if I too ignore tasks a bit too often!
@Pat - My motto is “the more alarm clocks, the more likely I’ll get something done” - I actually DO use 2 alarm clocks to get out of bed in the morning :-)
@Damian - You’re such an organization-inspiration for me, but I’ve already told you that numerous times, haven’t I? I’ll try to go back to Google Calendar and will definitely check out GoPingMe - thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks for the new tool. I am not forgetting events, but mundane tasks I need to get done. Of course, maybe I am trying to forget them!
Louise Maines last blog post..Action research: Writing skills
I totally forgot I had an account here… thanks for making me check!
Kate,
Thanks for telling your readers about Wrike. We’re happy that you like the service. Just wanted to let you know that there are many useful tips in our product blog that you might find helpful.
Darias last blog post..Now Wrike Users Can Easily Print a Timeline
RTM looks really great. Have to try that out based on your recommendation. The integration with Google maps would be great for planning to-do’s while traveling or on a business trip (or just a day with lots of meetings around town). Thanks for letting us know about this.
Amanda Mooneys last blog post..I Literally LOLed Pt. 2: Sarah’s Y2K Story
These services are cool though if you want something not having a per user charge, you can check out DeskAway. We use if for all our internal and client projects.
Thanks Kate. I am going to check out the integration with Gmail. I am trying Thunderbird with RTM (very limited) on my office computer. I have found the m.rememberthemilk.com to be very responsive on my mobile phone.
Keep Learning and Sharing,
chris
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