Understanding Schedules

Note: This article assumes you've read "Creating a Task in Motion" [here] and 'What is Auto-Scheduling and How to Auto-Schedule Your Tasks in Motion' [here]. If you haven't, we recommend starting there for foundational concepts.

TL;DR:

Embedding tasks in custom schedules empowers you to manage your workload more efficiently. By scheduling tasks at the optimal time for you, you can increase productivity and work smarter.

Custom schedules ensure that tasks are automatically placed within the designated hours or days you've set, streamlining your workflow.

Customizing Your Task Schedule:

Every task in Motion offers a “Schedule” dropdown menu, providing options for the default “Work Hours” schedule or a custom schedule of your choice. When you select “Custom,” you gain control over defining the precise hours or days when the task should be scheduled.

Here’s how you can create a custom schedule:

1. Go to Settings.

2. In the left side bar, select “Schedules.”

3. Inside the “Schedules” section, click on “+New Schedule.”

4. Define your desired schedule.

5. Click “Save.”

Here’s How to Embed Tasks in Custom Schedules:

1. Open the task you want to embed in a custom schedule.

2. Click the dropdown menu for Schedule.

3. Choose the custom schedule you created.

4. Click 'Save' to embed your task in your custom schedule.

Example: Balancing Work, Personal Life, and a Side Hustle

Let's take the example of Jane, a graphic designer who also has a side hustle as a freelance illustrator and strives to maintain a healthy personal life.

1. Jane creates a new task titled "Design Client's Website," a task related to her main job.

2. Upon creation, she clicks the 'Schedule' option in the task modal and selects 'Add schedule'.

3. She then defines her custom schedule for this task by selecting her working hours from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

4. Jane then saves the task, ensuring it will only be scheduled during her professional working hours.

Similarly, Jane has another task "Create Custom Illustrations,” related to her side hustle.

1. She decides to dedicate her Saturday afternoons and a few hours on weekday evenings to her freelance work.

2. Jane creates a new custom schedule, selecting Monday to Friday, 6 pm to 8 pm, and Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm.

3. She applies this custom schedule to her freelance tasks.

Lastly, Jane is determined to stay fit and commits to daily yoga.

1. She creates a task "Daily Yoga".

2. This time, she sets a custom schedule for early mornings from 7 am to 8 am daily, embedding her personal commitment into her daily schedule.

Through custom schedules, Jane can organize her full-time work, side hustle, and personal commitments efficiently without letting any area of her life fall behind.

Conclusion:

Embedding tasks in custom schedules is an invaluable tool for personalized planning. It enables you to align your tasks with your preferred timeframes, enhancing productivity and effectiveness.

Whether you're managing multiple professional commitments or juggling work and personal tasks, this feature can help you optimize your workflow and achieve a balanced lifestyle.