gtd-php Documentation | Users / Time

Time Contexts is one method of filtering actions in GTD-PHP. This type of context is meant to track a general estimate of the amount of time an action will take to complete. The defaults that come with GTD-PHP are short, medium and long.

Time contexts are assigned to actions and goals. You may keep separate sets of time contexts for actions and goals or use the same list for both. You may add additional time contexts to your installation.

You may find it helpful if you have 5 minutes available to filter a list for actions with a "short" context. The heading for the time context filter is simply "time".

To create or edit time contexts, go to Configure -> Time Contexts or simply click on any hyperlinked time context.

On the editing screen, you can edit the name and the description of the context. You also have the option to delete it or move all items assigned to a new context.

You may change the context assigned to an action or goal on the item editing screen.

Hints and Suggestions

I've added "shallow" and "deep" to my time contexts. Not only do I have different time lengths, but different depths of concentration required for a task -- it is easier to set aside a shallow task, or complete a shallow task when there are environmental distractions, but a deep task requires concentration and solitude, and is harder to set aside and pick up later. It's the difference between writing a long blog rant (shallow) verses assembling a contract (deep). crisses

''I have added day and multiple days to my action time contexts, and have a different list to account for goals (once, ongoing, weekly, monthly, yearly). Crisses' additions speak to the important concept of energy available outlined in Allen's Four Component Model to Choosing Actions. In this model, you choose what to do next based upon space context, time available, energy available, and priority. Shallow and Deep imply that an action will be short or long, respectively, as well as capturing the needed energy. See why we allow you to define things your way? scott

Documentation Contexts Configuration