What software helps organize and manage practice routines?

Question

I have a practice routine I would like to manage using software.

I have several sequential daily and weekly tasks that are flexible in there time(for example, it maybe be a 30min task but can be more or less and may not start at a specific time).

I would like to break a task down into sub-tasks, be able to add detailed descriptions, links to files, display images, etc...

The important aspect is to keep track of the tasks so I don't miss things and develop a good consistent routine(the tasks may change over time as I develop so it should be easy to "evolve" a task).

I don't need all the "business" stuff involved in project management software. But need a sort of "to-do" list on steroids.

I'll do the tasks, and mark them off. It would be nice if I could get start a timer for a the current task and keep track of how much time I have spent(with a possible warning if I'm over the allotted time). Then view how much time was spent on a specific (sub) task to sort of graph the progress.

Anyways, I doubt such software exists but I figured I would ask. Basically if it doesn't offer many of the things I want there is little more than to just write the stuff down on paper.

Answer 1

I have used PowerPoint to do something like what you describe. It is kind of a self-coaching checklist. Each slide is a step in the full operation, with bullet points as necessary for each sub step. Use the animation and automatic advance to have the slides and bullets show up on your timing schedule. Adding a audible sound with the transition serves as an alarm.

Actually, the OpenOffice presentation tool works better than PowerPoint, because the presentation self-timer continues even when the running presentation is in the background. But either one can work.

I'm not sure how this could be extended for weekly tasks. But for a multi-step operation that happens periodically, it works pretty well.

Answer 2

So I can't give you a single piece of software - I've ended up with a set of scripts that follow much of your requests.

I'd use my email inbox. add a task my emailing it to myself, or if you want a task to arrive regularly and automatically, have a google calendar event that emails you. Notes can be added my replying to the thread and this has the advantage that everything is timestamped. (Files also added as attachments). Mark stuff off my moving it to a completed folder (possibly also with a reply that says 'Done' so that you can tell how long it took to complete.

Did I miss any of the requirements?

I used a variation on this for some years - a major advantage is that you are confronted with your todolist every time you open your email, so that you can't just ignore it.

Answer 3

There is not one tool that fits all of your requirements, but I suggest a combination of tools that achieves your goals:

• As todolist manager, you can use Remember the milk. It's simple, yet powerful, and has excellent repeating task options.
• For keeping reference materials, I suggest you use OneNote or EverNote. They are excellent at keeping all your reference material, and allow you to search all of it. Both have a windows client available, allowing you to easily paste images, webpages, etc. in them.
• If you want a project timer, I suggest you look at this review here, it has excellent suggestions.