FAQ

In short, Omnifocus is a powerful task management system that can be used to organize anything from routine activities up through major goals in life. It is a tool that helps break down your goals into real world tasks that allow you to work and play in a way that you want to. Here is a short video the Omni Group created to show off its basics:

Introducing… OmniFocus for Mac from The Omni Group on Vimeo.

Introducing… OmniFocus for Mac from The Omni Group on Vimeo.

Check out the Omni Group’s main OmniFocus site for more information.

Upon purchase of the eBook, you will receive a PDF, mobi, and ePub file versions.

Upon purchase of the audiobook, you will receive an m4b file (audiobook format) of the listening materials as well as PDF, mobi, and ePub versions of the accompanying image lists.

The PDF file is an electronic file which most accurately represents the presentation of the book’s contents. However, these pages are static in nature and will not adjust to the page for the latest eReaders.

An ePub file is also included for compatible readers such as the iBooks or Stanza apps on the iPad. ePub files are adaptable and allow changes of font, zooming of images (on iBooks), among other adjustments.

Also included is the .mobi version which is compatible with Kindle device readers. Note, this file is intended for the actual Kindle device and not the iPad application.

The audiobook comes with image lists in the above formats as well as the sound file which may be listened to on most audio playback systems.

There are many comments and posts about using OmniFocus on the net and more coming about everyday. The resources section on this site links to many of them.

Creating Flow with OmniFocus, however, describes thoroughly and systematically an all encompassing method of working with OmniFocus to deal with and integrate small projects up through life goals on a day-to-day basis. All the while, it presents the concepts behind the system so that you can adjust and adapt the ideas to your own unique workflow. While it does present much of my own setup, it does so with the point of helping you build a system that works for you.

Creating Flow functions both partially as a manual as well as a productivity guide incorporating thoughts from the Getting Things Done methodology developed by David Allen, the nature of the program, the concepts of flow in work, as well as a psychological understanding of the mind and attention.

It is a culmination of years of psychiatric training, GTD work, creativity in art, music, and writing.

Creating Flow with OmniFocus includes all clients. However, due to the limitations of the iPad and iPhone clients, most of the benefit one would derive from the text and consequently most of the examples stem from the desktop version.

The text describes syncing between clients and advantages one can derive from this syncing that can otherwise enhance the iPad and iPhone versions.

There are presently no discount options available.

No. There are no plans for an affiliate program at the moment.

Not presently. I’m looking into upgrading the website so that such a method of purchase might be possible. It would be nice, but I cannot promise it.

On May 21st, 2011 – an update to Creating Flow with OmniFocus was released. Any prior customer can receive the complimentary update by downloading from the original link sent by email upon purchase. Customers who were approaching their download limit had the link re-activated. Customers who purchased the eBook in the first days, when a different purchasing portal was used, also received a re-activation link by email for the new system.

You can purchase it, but you cannot download it directly to a mobile device. Instead, if you plan on reading on your iPad, iPhone, or Kindle, download it to your laptop or desktop and follow the included instructions to transfer it to your mobile device.

The iPad or iPhone can be used to read either the PDF or ePub versions.

Drag either file into iTunes.

Connect your mobile device to your computer by the Apple provided USB cable.

Wait for iTunes to recognize the device (it will appear in the left-hand column of the iTunes application).

Select the device in the left-hand column of iTunes:

Select “Books” in the top column:

Make sure that “Sync Books” is checked:

If you prefer to have only particular books synced, choose “Selected books”.

Make sure that “Creating Flow with OmniFocus” is checked:

Sync your device.

Your book should now be available in the iBooks application.

1) Turn on the Kindle.
2) Connect the Kindle via the accompanying USB cable to your computer.
3) Drag the .mobi file into the documents folder on your device.
4) Wait until the USB activity indicator on your Kindle stops flashing.
5) Depending upon your operating system, remove the device by either:
⁃ (Windows) choosing “Safely Remove Mass Storage Device” or
⁃ (Mac) selecting “Eject”.

The book should now be available to read on your Kindle device.

I have been compensated by the Omni Group for giving a talk and may in the future, too. However, I’ve enjoyed their products long before any such arrangements.

Nope. I just really like the methodology.

Throughout Creating Flow and the upcoming Workflow I try to describe what I understand to be GTD concepts and what I believe to be my own deviations from it. But, Davidco does not endorse me, and I may not interpret everything they have to say perfectly.

Do check out the book Getting Things Done. There are many task management methodologies out there. I find the best are those you can adapt to your own workflow. I’ve found the GTD method to be useful for myself.

Purchasing either the Creating Flow with OmniFocus ebook or audiobook here at UsingOmniFocus.com provides you with multiple formats so you can read or listen where you like and how you like without restriction.

Presently, the book is not listed in iTunes, Amazon, or otherwise. This may change, though I have preferred the direct artist-customer connection the present method provides. If you would prefer it sold by some other method, please drop me a line and send your vote.

While I encourage you to purchase your own copy, some have asked about sharing between those living in the same household.

I suggest using it as you would a physical book within the home. As long as you are not reading or storing it at the same time, then please feel free to share within the household.

Requests to evaluate individual workflows are welcome. However, to do so adequately would take me some time. If you would like to hire me, please use the contact form to send me an inquiry.

I am present working on a general productivity guide that I believe will function well as a companion to Creating Flow with OmniFocus. It has been taking me even longer that Creating Flow itself.

The title is Workflow: Beyond Productivity.

I’m trying to get it out as soon as possible, though without pressuring it to any degree that would negatively impact its development. It is at a late stage and should be done soon. However, I’ve been estimating for myself that it is about 2 months away from completion for approximately the last 9 months. I wish I could say when it will be done with more definitiveness. But, please do know, I want it done.

Workflow is not related to any specific task management system, though general task management is definitely an important aspect of the work. Any task manager, including even pen and paper, are potential points of workflow. The focus is more on thought process and how an individual may cultivate a unique system than it is about a specific system itself.

I haven’t seen OmniFocus 2 yet, so I have no idea how relevant it will be. Much of Creating Flow is about developing habits and general productivity ideas which could stay the same, but the presentation of those ideas may well need to change significantly. In addition, I’ve gathered some ideas since Creating Flow‘s initial publication that I would like to add to a next edition, but I am not sure if they will soon be obsolete.

The last version of Creating Flow with OmniFocus was created at the end of 2011. Though some minor functionality differences have developed for OmniFocus 1 since then, I stand by the text as a solid representation and tutorial of good practices with OmniFocus.

I certainly would like to get to writing a new version for OmniFocus 2. It all depends on when I can complete my present book and life’s general penchant for throwing new unavoidable projects and deadlines at me. Any updated version will likely be significant in the changes made and will therefore be a new purchase. How it will be priced, whether different at release or otherwise, is still very up in the air.