Series: simple ways to remember Day 4 – Gmail to-do’s

I tend to live in my e-mail program (Gmail) and, despite lacking formal to-do functionality, today I’ll review a way to use your Gmail account to track to-do’s and other things you want to remember.

1. 1.Create a label called “To-do’s”
   

2. 2.Create a filter that says if any e-mail’s subject line contains “To do”, apply the label “To-do’s” and skip the inbox.
   

3. 3.Next time you have something to do, e-mail yourself with the subject line “To do…” and then whatever it is you need to do or remember. Put any details in the body of the message.
   

4. 4.The things you need to remember to do will be archived (so they won’t clutter your inbox) but will show up in your labels as having “unread” to-do’s.
   

You can also send yourself reminders when you’re away from the computer by sending a text to your Gmail account. During Step 2, add your cell phone’s e-mail address (18885551212@tmobile.net, or something like that) in the “From” line. From then on everything you text yourself will be labeled with “To do” as well.

Tip: put your Gmail address in your cell phone’s contact list so you don’t have to type it out each time.

I’ve also liked having a To-Do label for regular incoming e-mail. If someone needs something and I can’t get to right away, I label it as a To-Do, mark it unread and archive it. My inbox stays tidy and I’m still reminded that I have something to do.

What do you think? Is this something you’d find useful? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

LivSimpl