This is a template of the task tracker I use with Notion.
As an organization tool, Notion is uniquely powerful because it allows you to create multiple views of the same source database. With this, I can have a source database of all my tasks, and then categorize them along different axes: topic and day.
Some issues I struggle with when managing tasks are:
Project tasks vs daily tasks.
When planning a project, I want to make a list of to-dos over a long horizon. Additionally, if a new task pops up, I need to be able to quickly write it down in an organized manner to stop it bouncing around in my head while not necessarily picking exactly when I will do it. However, I also want to be able to be organized in my day-to-day and not re-create endless lists of to-dos every day. I needed a way to organize tasks under both categories and flexibly move them between the two.
Task rollover.
My daily goals are usually aspirational, and so I usually have incomplete tasks by the end of the day/week. I needed an easy way to cascade tasks from old daily to-do lists to new ones and to reset my tasks at the start of each week.
Universal List + subcategories.
As a PhD student, I have to balance many responsibilities, such as different research projects, teaching, career development, internships, general work for my advisors, and also general life obligations. I needed a way to categorize and sub-categorize while not having to upkeep tens of lists of tasks over various work types and categories.
Luckily for me (and you), Notion can do this all! The main idea is to have a large source database with multiple views and categories for organization. This tracker has two main views: a “days” view for day-to-day task management, and a “projects” view for long-horizon planning and storage of new tasks as they pop up. Within the “projects” view, I also have multiple filtered views for different types of projects, from research, to classes, to daily life. Generally I enter tasks in the “projects” view, and each day click and drag to allocate things I want to get done to the “days” view. I also have a “Clear Planner” macro button which automatically wipes all day assignments from tasks, allowing for a quick and easy refresh and re-evaluation each week.
Feel free to delete this writeup after duplicating the template :)