These fictional records belong to a plan for a reading corner: one project and two tasks. They all start in Inbox. Choose a status for each record and read when that choice makes sense. You can try different combinations and see that changing one record leaves the other two unchanged.
This exercise stays on the website and saves nothing in Mement. In the app, GTD statuses belong to each task, list, project or area separately. Changing a project’s status does not change its children. Dates and reminders are separate choices.
Reading corner: Inbox; Measurement task: Inbox; Drawing task: Inbox
The project is captured, but you have not decided what a finished reading corner should include. Keep it in Inbox while you clarify the result and whether you want to take it on.
The task still needs clarification. Perhaps you have not chosen which window, what dimensions are needed or where to keep the measurements. Clarify those details before treating it as ready to do.
Clarify what drawing is needed, who should provide it and whether you have requested it. Capturing a task called “receive the drawing” does not itself mean that someone is already preparing it.
The project is captured, but you have not decided what a finished reading corner should include. Keep it in Inbox while you clarify the result and whether you want to take it on.
Use this status when the project is active and you can move it forward. The project describes the result; its child tasks describe the actions. Choosing this status for the project leaves each child task’s status unchanged.
This fits when you have deliberately chosen to return to the project later. For example, you might plan to work on it after moving house. A date can make that decision more specific, but the status itself does not set one.
This fits if the whole project is currently blocked by an external result, such as permission to alter the room. Record what you need if that helps your review. An individual task can still have a different status if it is possible to do it now.
Keep the project here if you want to preserve the idea without committing to it now. You can reconsider it during a later review. Existing child tasks keep their own statuses until you change them.
The task still needs clarification. Perhaps you have not chosen which window, what dimensions are needed or where to keep the measurements. Clarify those details before treating it as ready to do.
You know where to measure, have the tools and can do the task. This is a concrete next action for the reading-corner project. It can be ready to do even when the project has a different status.
You have chosen to measure later. For example, Monday at 10:00 may suit your schedule. Select Scheduled for that decision and set the date separately if you want it recorded.
The task depends on something outside your control, such as gaining access to the room. Use Waiting For while that dependency prevents you from taking the measurement.
The measurement belongs to a possible future layout that you have not chosen to pursue. Keep the task for later consideration instead of presenting it among actions you intend to do now.
Clarify what drawing is needed, who should provide it and whether you have requested it. Capturing a task called “receive the drawing” does not itself mean that someone is already preparing it.
Next Actions fits an action you can take yourself. If you need to request or follow up on the drawing, edit the task in Mement to describe that action. Receiving a drawing that someone else is preparing remains an external dependency.
This fits when you have deliberately chosen to handle the drawing later, for example by following up on Monday. Add the chosen time separately. If the drawing is simply due from someone else, Waiting For may be the clearer status.
You have requested the drawing and the carpenter’s reply is the next external result you need. This status makes that dependency clear while the measurement task can remain ready to do.
The drawing belongs to a project you may revisit, and you are not currently pursuing it. Check whether anyone is already expecting a reply from you before leaving it for a future review.
