Calendar Time Blocking with Apple Calendar and Things 3

In this video, I demo how I use Things 3 and Apple Calendar together to time block my week. If you enjoyed this video, you can check out my full review of Things 3 here: • Things 3 App Review
Things 3: culturedcode.com/things/
Sorted 3: www.sortedapp.com/
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
1:34 Identify Your Priorities
2:36 Parkinson's Law
3:16 Why Apple Calendar?
4:00 Color-Coded Calendars
4:52 Demo of Time Blocking
10:40 Importing Things 3 Tasks
14:29 Apple Watch Integration
14:49 Other Apps for Time Blocking
16:46 What App Do You Use?
🛠 Gear Used to Make Video
💻 Computer: 2020 M1 MacBook Air amzn.to/3qCdSRY
🎤Microphone: BOYA by-MM1 amzn.to/3c1pk5c
📹 Camera: Canon M50 amzn.to/3oYWuX9
▲ Tripod: Geekoto 77" Tripod amzn.to/3hCbS8B
💡 Lights: GVM 100W Lighting Kit amzn.to/2XWDso8
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/fe77a/lucidity
License code: G6M7CIUIEICXQZSA

[@lexsemenenko7044]

I used to do timeblocking and my life was so fruitful. I review the past and think I got to go back to it to have the results I need. Thanks for the easy setup.

[@PossiblyFreddy2]

11:11 My brain LITTERALLY EXPLODED (okay maybe not litteraly :P) when you mentioned dragging items from Things to the Calendar .___. I tried the same thing on an iPad but it didnt work out BUT since I plan out my days on my Mac anyways…. THIS IS AMAAZIIINNGGG!!!! :D thank you for making this video!!! Youve got yourself a new sub :D 🎉

[@vanessabyers5418]

I have used Things 3 for several years and watched many videos on Things 3 and productivity. This video changed my life with the drag-and-drop to Apple calendar. Thank you so much!

[@daniellangewisch]

Wow, Vanessa! That is SO great to hear! Glad it helped you out 😃

[@MagpieCrafter]

It doesn’t seem to work in split-screen on the iPad.

[@nursedon2176]

Man this was such a great video! I have watched like 20 videos on Things 3 and you are the only one that showed this feature and how to use it to be more productive, SUBSCRIBED! Thank You!!!

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks, Don! I am glad you found this video helpful. Excited to have you join me on this journey! 😃

[@daphne721]

I just started doing this set-up and was so excited when I saw your video! I was using the wrong apps! Was having second thoughts on buying Things 3 but when I saw the drag and drop to Calendar, I’m def getting it. I also agree that batch-cooking is the best. 😁

[@daniellangewisch]

Ha glad someone agrees with me about batch-cooking 😂 yea, the drag and drop functionality is a huge pro to using Things with Apple Calendar!

[@greyhawk5990]

Excellent presentation, Daniel! Looked into this before using Things 3 and Fantastical but have never seen it so clearly explained and demonstrated. Liked & Subscribed 😊

[@daniellangewisch]

Wow! Thank you so much. It means a lot. Glad to have you on board! 🙌🏼

[@mindyann8903]

I’m 40 and just now learning how to time block out side of monthly planner. Lol. I’ve time blocked for many years but this is most definitely a game changer as I can look and add things to my schedule anywhere. Subscribed. Ty for sharing !

[@daniellangewisch]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@notyourlocalkid4074]

You just gained a new subscriber! keep up the good work bc I really love your content!

[@daniellangewisch]

Hey, thanks for checking out the video! You just made my day with that comment! Appreciate it 😃

[@dsuthapong]

This is super awesome and helpful!!

[@daniellangewisch]

Awesome, Darin! Glad this helped you out! 😃

[@hugocast]

Fantastic Video! Thanks for putting it together Daniel. Things is one the nicest apps out there :)

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks, Hugo! I agree. Things is awesome!!

[@andersonfarias007]

This video saved my life, I’ve been looking something like this. Now a have a clue of how I’m gonna start it. Thanks

[@daniellangewisch]

Wow, Anderson! Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video! 😃

[@Jsellers322]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks so much! Glad you found it helpful 😃

[@corgikun2579]

I liked you used the distinction from calendar and task manager, also using the included calendar app to make things easier and available for must people right-out-of-the-box. Since you mentioned Cal Newport, I recommend you to use his time blocking in paper for every day. So keep the digital calendar but make a paper one for each day so as to use time blocking as Cal does. that is, scratching and moving blocks around and adjusting your schedule for the day on-the-go in paper. Cal has a website where he shows how to, and you don't need to purchase his planner as it can be done in any sheet of paper. Cheers

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks for checking out the video! Cal Newport has made some really great stuff on time blocking. Unfortunately, pen and paper never worked well for me. But I appreciate the suggestion! 😃

[@AliyaBurkit]

Wow, super helpful. I didn't know you could drag stuff from Things to Calendar!

[@daniellangewisch]

Glad this helped you out, Aliya! I find it quite useful 😃

[@hugo5074]

Amazing bro! Keep going ! 🌟💪🏻

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks, Hugo! I appreciate the encouragement! 😃

[@Winphan79]

Hi Daniel. Many thanks for the information you have shared. Can you advise and show me how to connect Things 3 and Apple Calendar so that when I create an event on Apple Calendar, it automatically switches to Things 3 as a To-do? Wishing you a lot of health. Many thanks.

[@tspmcfarlane]

Really useful, thanks!

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful 😃

[@stephaniesears8857]

this is awesome. I get get the drag and drop to work with reminders tho

[@daniellangewisch]

Appreciate the comment! Unfortunately, I don’t believe it currently works with Apple Reminders. So unfortunate as it would be very easy for Apple to add 😕

[@Nightizm]

Very interesting. Thanks!

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks for checking out the video, Nightizm! Glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@Damienxx]

Hello, nice video! Is it possible to know from Things's project view is a task assigned to any date or not?

[@alanissac1294]

What I was looking for. Works just as good in BusyCal

[@daniellangewisch]

That’s awesome to hear, Alan! Glad it was helpful 😃

[@evanssabbi]

I have things 3 and was thinking of going to Sorted 3 because of the ability to put the time you want a task done. Thank you for showing how you can drag a task from things to apple calendar, that solved my need to switch apps. This was very helpful. I like the minimal view of things and sorted 3 to me is too much graphics.

[@daniellangewisch]

Hey there! Thanks for checking out the video. I agree with you. I tried Sorted 3 for a while, but ultimately switched back to Things 3 due to the clean and minimalistic design. Glad this video was helpful for you! 😃

[@leecrawford3131]

I really like your video on connecting things 3 to iCal Two questions: 1.Can you give recommendations of how you handle delegation and team issues in things 3. 2: : Does this transfer of things to iCal transfer to other calendars connected to iCal

[@kaylaeschen1712]

how did you get the rainbow gradient on the side of the calendar?

[@noone6953]

Great video!!! You earned yourself a new subscriber

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@noone6953]

Can I suggest a content for you? Can you make a video to about how to use Shortcuts iOS to enhance productivity/ time management? Like for example automation of “do not disturb mode” when opening calendar app so that we can time block without disturbance and then when we exit the app, automate “do not disturb” to turn off. Simple automations like this can avoid disturbance and increase focus when we are doing our work. Thus enhancing our productivity. Maybe you can suggest some automations like this and how to include shortcuts into our workflow. Thanks in advance

[@daniellangewisch]

@@noone6953 That is a great suggestion! I will put it down in my ideas list.

[@kurtmichaelson7871]

Thank you Daniel. I have been wondering how I could display time blocking events on my work (Google) calendar without disrupting my appointments. My time block calendar can now overlay my appointments. I may look into how Reminders or Tasks would work in Google Calendar to accomplish this too.

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks for checking out the video, Kurt! That sounds like a good idea. 😃

[@wordsinember]

Thank you for this video! I used to trade Fantastical as my Holy Grail but this drag and drop feature is just way too convenient to not use Apple Cal with Things3 now. 😍

[@daniellangewisch]

That’s awesome to hear! Thanks for checking out the video 😃

[@mr_red13]

Can you do this on iPhone or iPad?

[@NinjaSushi0830]

Was using Things 3 and Calendar combo for a while and then got excited when I saw sorted 3 thinking it would be the best of both worlds in one app. I've tried it for a week and there are a lot of cool features but i find that the project management isn't so good being that there are only lists and the mac app especially felt a little glitchy and not as smooth as Things. Not sure what your experience is like with sorted and if you think the Things x iCal combo is still better overall.

[@daniellangewisch]

That is funny that you ask because I am trying out using Sorted the past few weeks! It is a really intriguing app. There are some bugs, and I agree that the project management is lackluster, but I am loving the seamless integration between my tasks and calendar!

[@Alenk]

Bro, how to make this blocks recurring all weeks?

[@weaklee2977]

i find this video still useful!! but it's sad to know that you had not update for a while :(

[@devarni]

Why you don't use the Google Calendar or are you sync GCal with the Apple Calendar?

[@Justo777]

Can you do the same drag and drop with Things 3 and outlook? Would the calendar time be updated back to Things 3 tasks?

[@daniellangewisch]

I have not tried it with Outlook, but I doubt that it would work, unfortunately. If you try it out, let me know if it works!

[@vc07441]

can anyone drag the things task to calender on ipad? i tried but failed. But i can drag calender task to things3. thanks

[@devarni]

Drag & drop also works with other apps like Apple Reminders, Craft etc. It's a great workflow to plan stuff in another app and block the time in the calendar. Calendar blocking as an opposite, is to plan more generic blocks? Reserve a more generic time block and the exact tasks are in the todo app or the notes app?

[@daniellangewisch]

Thanks for the comment, Frank! I agree. I’ve gone back and forth between blocking every task specifically and blocking more generic blocks for tasks. I’m currently testing out a new app called Routine which has some pretty cool time blocking elements in it!

[@devarni]

Yes, exactly! If you work primarily in the calendar, it is actually better to see the tasks there as well. However, this contradicts the idea to have only events in the calendar and no tasks. I honestly haven't found the best solution for me yet :D I'm looking at Things 3 right now (otherwise I use Todoist and Apple Reminders).

[@alanissac1294]

Do you know if its possible to have Sorted 3 show their auto scheduled tasks in my Apple Calendar?

[@daniellangewisch]

I don’t believe that is can show the tasks as the things in Apple Calendar are technically events. I will let you know if I find out otherwise!

[@alanissac1294]

@@daniellangewisch Makes sense

[@youtubeus3rname]

Hi, stellar video! One question though: at 15:20 you claim that Apple Reminders is integrated with Apple Calendar in the same way that Things is, so drag-n-dropping should be a thing. For some reason I can't seem to do that. Dragging a task from Reminders to Calendar does nothing for me. Any ideas why that might be? Thanks :)

[@daniellangewisch]

Hey, CW! I did some research and realized that the old Apple Reminders allowed this functionality, but for some reason, the newer Apple Reminders does not. I must have accidentally seen that I can with the old version and assumed it would still work. Sorry about the misinformation! 🙁

[@youtubeus3rname]

@@daniellangewisch No worries, was just making sure I'm not missing anything obvious. Not sure why Apple would remove that, sounds so convenient - oh well!

[@MarcWeijmar]

On the Mac its still working for me (or again, didnt use this method before)

[@hardnose_]

It is indeed possible, at least right now in Monterey

[@-dvr03-72]

Hey Daniel, I found your channel not too long ago and have been really enjoying your videos. Do you have any recommendations for a school note taking software? I used to use notion, but I am hesitant to go back because of the lack of a drawing feature (I am aware that there are options to have embedded drawing software, but it would be a pain to do that every time I need to draw something) and because of a lack of an online feature (which resulted in about 5 or so of my pages just disappearing from my workbook and from the page history). I appreciate any help provided!

[@daniellangewisch]

Hey there! That is a great question. What devices are you going to use for school? Also, are you just going to do an occasional drawing, or are you looking to actually take your notes with a stylus and touchscreen? I'd love to help you out! 😃

[@-dvr03-72]

@@daniellangewisch I appreciate the help. Right now I am working with an lenovo x1 yoga gen 5. I would ideally want something that allows for drawing and typing as I will be taking courses like bio math and chemistry

[@ejparcasio]

it doesn't look like dropping tasks from things 3 to calendar works for me

[@KLander03]

Wish I could see color. No joke 😂

[@daniellangewisch]

Haha thanks for checking out the video! 😂

[@GwilymJames]

I know this is an old video but maybe someone new might appreciate it. At 03:30 you say Fantastical can't do colors, and Apple can, well now, Fantastical can do colors, PLUS colors per event within the same calendar, so you don't need to make a whole new calendar set like you do with Apple. This is similar to how google cal does it.

[@daniellangewisch]

That is true! However, colors are still behind the paywall of Flexibits Premium. Apple Calendar is a free option. But if you have Premium for Fantastical, then you are totally right! 😃

[@PassionCentreCanada]

Drag and drop to Calendar doesn't work Mac M1

[@MAXp0wr]

Works fine on mine...

[@hardnose_]

I didn’t try Things, but Reminders. It is indeed possible to drag and drop the tasks to the calendar. But I see several major concerns with this procedure, it is extremely manual and prone for duplication or errors: 1) the tasks don’t sync, so if you change the time in the calendar this is not applied in Things/Reminder; 2) similarly, you have to first put the date on Things/Reminders and then in the calendar, since dragging to the calendar doesn’t apply that date to the task; 3) you have to manually check you’ve placed all tasks in the calendar; 4) I find a pain in the *ss that so many task managers like Things, Reminders, ToDoIst and many more don’t allow to put the duration of the task (thanks for the recommendation on Sorted, because I had only found TickTick being able to do this).