Chances are high that, as a business owner and/or manager, you have a lengthy and difficult-to-keep-track-of to-do list. There is always going to be some task or project that needs your attention, and being pulled in so many directions at once can be tough to manage. If you use Gmail, however, there is a great feature – Google Tasks – and it could help you keep on top of what you need to get done.
What is Google Tasks?
Google Tasks is a sub-feature included in all versions of Gmail. As the name suggests, its main function is to allow you to set up tasks directly in Gmail. With this feature you can create itemized lists, set due dates, add notes, and create tasks directly from Gmail messages.
When you use this feature, you will see a chat-like window appear at the bottom-right corner of the screen. The window looks and functions a lot like a Hangouts chat in that you can minimize it and even pop it out of the Gmail window.
How to use Google Tasks
As we noted above, Google Tasks is a feature of Gmail, and can be accessed by:
1. Going to your Gmail Inbox.
2. Pressing on Mail which is located at the top-left side of the window.
3. Selecting Tasks from the drop-down menu.
When you do this, you should notice the Tasks window open at the bottom-right of the screen, beside any open chats or emails you may be composing. Once you have opened this, you can add a new task by clicking on the + at the bottom right, or by clicking in any blank area in the window. You should then notice a square box appear with a blinking cursor beside it. You can then enter the task you would like to make note of.
Once a task is finished you can tick the box beside it and it will be struck through, indicating it has been completed. You can then click on it and press the trash can icon at the bottom to delete the task from your list.
Other useful Google Tasks features
•Create sub-tasks – If you want to create a task with sub-tasks, simply create each task normally and then press Tab to indent tasks so that they are identified as sub-tasks. Hit Shift + Tab to move any indented tasks to the left.
•Add a due date and notes – Click on a task and then click on the black arrow to the right of the task to assign a due date and add any notes.
•Create new lists – Create multiple lists by clicking on the list icon at the bottom-right of the window and selecting New list.
•Move tasks up or down the list – To change the priority of a task, hover your mouse over the square beside the task name and click on the grey dots, then drag the task up or down.
•Email a task list – You can send a task list to other Gmail users by selecting the list you want to send, then clicking Actions at the bottom of the window, followed by Email task list.
