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The Power of Reminders: Achieve More with Less Stress

Have you forgotten important deadlines or appointments, only to remember them at the last minute (or worse, after they’ve passed)? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In our fast-paced world, staying on top of our schedules and tasks is a challenge.

Fear not, there is a solution. Use a reminder app on your computer. It will send a pop-up notification that gently nudges you when it’s time to take action on something important.


Using reminders helps you…

  • Improve time management – helps you keep track of important events, deadlines, appointments, and responsibilities
  • Reduce stress – alleviates the mental burden of trying to remember everything, reducing stress and anxiety
  • Reduce procrastination – prompts you to take action on tasks, reducing the tendency to procrastinate

Reminder apps can have customizable options such as recurring reminders, snooze functions, and priority levels, allowing you to tailor them to your specific needs and preferences.

Follow the instructions to reclaim control over your schedule and boost your productivity.

Microsoft Outlook Online: To-Do App

  1. Open Microsoft Outlook Online. Use your free Microsoft account.
  2. In the left side bar, press the Checkmark icon (To-Do app).
  3. In the “Add a task” field under Tasks, type a descriptive name for an appointment, responsibility or assignment.
  4. Under the task name, click the Calendar icon (Due Date) to add a due date.
  5. Press the Bell icon (Reminder) to select a day and time to be reminded.
  6. Click the Circular Arrows icon (Repeat) to set a reoccurring notification.
  7. Press Add.
  8. In the to-do list, click the Star icon to indicate priority tasks.
  9. At the identified day and time, a pop-up notification on your computer will alert you to the task that needs attention.
In the Outlook Online To-Do application, a pop-up window titled Reminder gives 4 choices: later today, tomorrow, next week, or pick a date and time.
Reminder feature in the Microsoft To-Do application

Microsoft article: Create tasks and a to-do list Note: The video shows the To-Do app in the desktop Outlook application.

Mac Computer: Reminders app

  1. Open the Reminders app one of two ways: (1) click the search button (magnifying glass icon) in the top right menu on the desktop and type “reminders” or (2) open Launchpad and click on the Reminders app. Pin the Reminders app to the taskbar, if desired.
  2. In the Reminders app, click the Plus Sign.
  3. Type a descriptive name for an appointment, responsibility or assignment. Type notes if additional information is needed.
  4. Select a day and time to be alerted. (If using the Reminders app on a smartphone, entering a location to be alerted is useful in certain circumstances.)
  5. Click the Information symbol (lower case “i” with a circle) to set an early reminder – a certain number of days or hours – or to set the reminder to repeat and to set the priority level.
  6. At the identified day and time, a pop-up notification on your computer will alert you to the task that needs attention.
In the Reminder app on a Mac computer, a pop-up window is shown with an arrow to the information symbol. The choices for a reminder include: on a day, on a time, at a location, or when messaging a person. There are also options to repeat and add a priority.
Reminder app on a Mac computer

Apple Support article: Get started with Reminders on Mac

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Other strategies for time and task management

  • Add your schedule and activities to a digital calendar include reminders and alerts
  • Sync your work, school, or athletic calendar with your personal digital calendar
  • Set a timer to focus on tasks and take breaks
  • Set an alarm to remember appointments or tasks
  • Use a project management tool with categorized columns and task cards
  • Reference a digital to-do list
  • Speak a voice note
  • Put digital sticky notes on your computer desktop for memory support

Resources

These resources are provided simply to create awareness about additional options for reminders.

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