With all the tasks managers out there, it’s easy to get lost in shiny object syndrome. That new app comes out, and suddenly it seems like it will solve all your problems, making you an instant productivity guru. Oh, how I wish that were true!

I’ve been using OmniFocus for years, but I can’t say apps like Things 3 don’t tempt me. Over the years I’ve started keeping a few tricks in my back pocket to keep me on track and avoid going overboard.

1. I don’t fight myself wanting to try a new app. Most apps offer a trial, and I enjoy playing around with software, so I give myself some time to play around with major new releases like Things 3. I also find trying new apps are a good chance to periodically reconsider how I organize my tasks, so not all is lost by trying an app.
2. The keyword is TRY. Don’t spend days tirelessly transferring your tasks. Pick just enough that you can try out features, but don’t go overboard. I like to pick a single area – all of my personal tasks, for example. Those are usually plenty of tasks for me to quickly find what doesn’t work.
3. Make a note of what doesn’t work for you. If I come across a feature I don’t like, I make a note of it in a comparison chart of sorts that I keep in Evernote. This has been a lifesaver. If I start getting restless with OmniFocus or a new point release for an app comes out, I can save myself the wasted time of trying the app again because I already know where the pain points are and whether or not another app will help. Of course, if a new release introduces a feature solving one of those pain points, I can update the chart and decide whether the pros outweigh the cons, but thus far, OmniFocus is well out in front, so I don’t anticipate that happening any time soon.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

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