Simple contexts

[Longstreet]

Hi Folks,

I have decided to simplify my contexts. I know this has been discussed here ad nauseum, but the standard contexts of @computer, @anywhere, @online, etc. just do not work for me. I have these at my disposal the vast majority of the time, so it just results in more lists than I need. So...I am trying the following:

.Projects
@Actions-Work
@Calls
@Email
@Errands
@Someday/Maybe
@Waiting For

Do others find that simplifying their contexts makes things work better for them? I have also considered more thematic contexts in terms of the type of work that I do. Have others tried this?

Thanks,
-Longstreet

[mickmel]

I've really been struggling with contexts, but I like your approach. I may start with a similar list of them and see how it evolves.

[Cpu_Modern]

more thematic contexts in terms of the type of work that I do. Have others tried this?

A brainstorm/thinking/planning contexts works very well for me since I started GTD (~4 years ago). It's a list I glance over when I have time to think: when on a walk, under the shower ect. Sometimes a more formal approach is neede, at my desk with some planning tools.

[TesTeq]

So...I am trying the following:
.Projects
@Actions-Work
@Calls
@Email
@Errands
@Someday/Maybe
@Waiting For

No @Home context?

[Longstreet]

Yes -- I do have an @Home context -- just forgot that one.

-Longstreet

[jesig]

In my re-creation of my system to accommodate my shift from office work back to academia, I actually eliminated the Waiting For context outside my e-mail box as well as simplifying my contexts because I usually have so few WF actions. I just write the next action in the right context with a parenthetical about what it's waiting for. For example from this week: @Errands Buy gift cards for nephews (WF Mom callback re: which stores). Once the WF is taken care of, I cross it off the next time I'm reviewing that list and then take care of the action as soon as possible. My lists are short enough that having to skip over WF items isn't too much work.
It's GTD blasphemy, I know, but so far it's working. :D So I now have 6 contexts:

Computer
Desk (studying tasks that require sitting at a desk in some locale)
Home
Errands
Campus
Calls

[fokke.kooistra]

Hi Longstreet,

The amount of @contexts depends on the amount of todo items. I find myself deleting and creating contexts over time. I have had times where I had a lot of contexts but now I only have about 5.

[darlakbrown]

I could not work without @Agenda-"person's name" because then I don't have to interrupt people several times every time I have a question. I hate it when people at work IM me or email me or call me or WORST YET come to my office every time they have a thought and have to share it with me before they forget. Why not save up and ask me a bunch of questions all at once or ask me in the morning to grab a coffee later that afternoon where we can deal with all the issues at once.