Unlocking the Full Potential of Apple Reminders with Smart Lists
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Chapter 1: Enhancing Your Task Management
Since I started using Apple’s Reminders app with the iOS 17 Beta, I’ve truly enjoyed the experience. While I’ve kept Todoist on hand just in case Reminders doesn’t meet my needs, I’ve found that I haven’t needed to revert back. Each day, I check Todoist to ensure I stay current and don’t fall behind. However, I did miss the filtering options available in Todoist. Fortunately, Reminders includes a feature called Smart Lists, which provides similar functionality.
What Exactly is a Smart List?
A Smart List is a customized list that you can create based on specific criteria, allowing you to efficiently sort your tasks. The default lists in Reminders, such as Inbox, Today, and Upcoming, are essentially Smart Lists.
Let’s explore how to set up some basic Smart Lists in the Reminders app.
Creating a "Must Do Today" List
To begin, I’ll set up a list that highlights only high-priority tasks due today. Click on "Add List" in the bottom right corner of the Reminders main page.
Next, you’ll need to name the list, select a color, and pick an emoji or icon to represent it.
In the image provided, I’ve named the list “Must Do Today”, chosen a vibrant red color, and selected an icon that resembles a skillet with flames.
Now, you might wonder how to establish the parameters for this list.
Setting Parameters for Your Smart List
When configuring filters for your Smart List, you have various options. For our current list, we’ll set the date to "today" and the priority to "high".
Bringing It All Together
Now that we’ve configured everything, it’s time to see the Smart List in action. The “Must Do Today” Smart List will appear at the bottom of the My Lists section initially. However, you can easily pin it to the top by swiping right for quick access.
Once you’ve created and pinned the “Must Do Today” Smart List, you’ll find all tasks that match the criteria of being due today and marked as high-priority.
The Advantages of Using Apple Reminders
This is just a glimpse of what you can achieve with Smart Lists, and I encourage you to experiment with different filters to unlock the full potential of Apple Reminders. It’s incredible to reflect on how this app has evolved since its initial launch on the iPhone.
If you have questions or need assistance with creating your Smart List, feel free to leave a comment.
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Chapter 2: Mastering Smart Lists
In this chapter, we will delve deeper into Smart Lists and how to maximize their effectiveness.
This video, "How To Make Your Apple Reminders More Magical With Smart Lists!", provides additional insights into enhancing your experience with Reminders.
The second video, "Mastering Smart Lists in Reminders," will guide you through advanced techniques to utilize Smart Lists effectively.