Our goal here is to help you make the most of your time and attention. We do this by researching the very best apps for your Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
We also know a lot about workflows, staying focused, and best practices. That’s why our work has been featured in and referenced by sites such as Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and MacStories. And we have helped over 10,000 customers.
Things 3 is the best task management app out there. It is simple and easy to use, and it has a beautiful design. While being powerful enough for even the most detailed and organized power user, it is also simple enough for the rest of us.
In our most-popular course, All The Things, we will quickly show you how to get up and running with Things 3.
Moreover, you will get additional, in-depth systems for a more calm approach to productivity and easier task management. (More on that later.)
— Shawn
P.S. Already know you want the course? Click here.
Is your task list longer than your arm?
Not only do you need to focus on the important things, you also can’t lose track of the little stuff which still needs to get done.
Which of these sounds less frightening?
Setting up a system that balances your list of all the open things to do so you can know which ones are most important, which ones are the right ones to do next, and which ones are even worthwhile in the first place.
Swimming the English Channel blindfolded. While being chased by sharks. Sharks with lasers.
Don't tell me. The second one, right?
Some folks think they have a better chance racing against laser sharks than they do of setting up a good productivity system. Clearly, as tasks build up, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Good news is that you’re not alone. It seems just about everyone is drowning in tasks (no pun intended). Did you know...
63% of people spend most of their time on busywork.
Yep. We asked more than 2,000 people if their day is spent mostly on busywork or important work. And guess what? The majority of people said busywork.
Which means two things...
People everywhere feel overwhelmed with all the things they have to do.
Those people spend most of their day unable to get to the important work.
And frankly, that sucks. It means you're swimming against the tide, not making any progress at all.
“Distraction is the enemy of creativity. Value emerges as the product of focused work.”
Jocelyn K. Glei, Author and Podcaster
Things 3 is the Best Productivity and Task Management App
There are a lot — and I mean a lot — of options available in this golden age of getting stuff done.
But none of them have the same degree of polish and delight that you will find in Things 3.
Just recently (2017), Things 3 won the prestigious Apple Design Award. This app is a perfect combination of powerful organization underneath a simple design. Things 3 is easy to use for the most basic of lists, yet powerful enough for the most ambitious and busy amongst us.
Things 3 provides all the features you need to be more productive while still maintaining a simple interface that limits distractions so you can focus on accomplishing the task at hand.
The reason I’ve grown so fond of Things is that it helps me to set it and forget it.
Things is a "Forgetful" Task App
For better or worse, I am a naturally organized person. Which means my brain is always thinking things through. I don’t want a task management app for the sake of remembering something, but rather for the sake of forgetting it.
I need a place to dump all the ideas, projects, and to-do items that come my way so I can happily live in the here-and-now rather than in the what’s-to-come. And Things’ ability to handle vast amounts of tasks while keeping them in order with lists and notes is better than any other app I’ve used.
That’s why we use Things 3, and that’s why we want to help you learn Things and discover everything it’s capable of doing.
The Tip of the Iceberg
There is so much to this app, you won't believe it...
Some of my favorite features in Things 3 include:
The natural-language for a date
The calendar design for picking a due date when on iOS
Drag-and-drop support on iPad and iOS 11
The simple-but-powerful quick entry popup on Mac
Best of breed versions for Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Fast, reliable, and free syncing between all devices
Beautifully designed and delightful to use
We’ll show you how to make the most of all these features, and more...
Shawn has taken his approach to meaningful productivity and made it accessible for life. With helpful tech tips as well as analog insights, my goals all just got a huge boost!
I simply can't believe the amount of value and content in this course. It was so good I binged it like Netflix.
Matthew Candler
Shawn Blanc’s Hybrid Productivity Method
Here's a video taken from the course where I show how I use both digital and analog tools to manage my tasks.
P.S. In All the Things (Pro), there is over an hour and a half of additional video content that goes into significantly more detail explaining exactly how I use these tools, the templates I use for my daily and weekly planning and reviewing, and more.
You Can Manage All The Things
This productivity course has two parts…
PART 1: In-Depth Training for Things 3
Here we will be doing a complete video walkthrough of the Things 3 app suite. We will show you everything you need to take full advantage of this app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
We will also be including several advanced Things 3 workflow examples with AppleScripts for the Things Power Users out there. And a handful of workflow setup interviews featuring seasoned Things users, so you can get a peek behind the curtain of how other people are using Things 3 to manage their tasks.
PART 2: Advanced Workflows for Productivity and Task Management
Tools, like Things 3, are only half the equation. Which is why we are also creating an entire series of videos on goal setting, productivity systems, and more.
This is where the real magic happens...
In Part 2, you will discover our best practices, templates, personal systems, and more for managing your tasks and being productive.
Note: What you will discover in Part 2 are ideas and workflows that you can use no matter which app you use (from Things, to OmniFocus, Todoist, or even a physical journal).
If what’s important always seems like whatever’s URGENT, you’re going to feel overwhelmed. Break the cycle.
This course will help you get freedom from the urgent so you can find margin for the meaningful.
Sean McCabe
Learn From the Best
As part of All the Things (Pro), there are 6 interviews with busy folks like you and me — writers, managers, entrepreneurs, creatives, moms & dads — who have an ability to stay focused and productive. We discuss topics and examples related to managing tasks, staying focused, keeping work and life in balance, and more.
How to work free from distractions with Jocelyn K. Glei.
Managing your tasks and your time with Mike Vardy.
How to stay organized with Ben Brooks.
The most common productivity pitfalls with Erik Fisher.
How to balance work and life with Havilah Cunnington.
How to stay focused with Anthony Ongaro.
Setup Interviews
Additionally, there are 7 Things Users Setup Interviews featuring Federico Viticci, Joanna Eitel, Mo Bunnell, Marius Masalar, Ben Brooks, Katie Finlayson, and Blake Stratton. These folks share how and why they use Things to manage their tasks and keep their life organized and under control.
“When it comes to our actions, disorder and distraction are death.”
Ryan Holiday, Best-Selling Author
All The Things (Pro)
The complete training. Every productivity video, screencast tutorial, interviews, and workflows for Things 3. Also includes transcripts, downloadable videos, and productivity templates.
Meaningful Productivity
Discover a new, liberating mindset toward productivity that allows you to focus on giving your time to the things that are most important.
Hybrid Productivity Method
Discover how to combine digital and analog tools to stay focused day to day and keep from being overwhelmed by an overflowing inbox.
How to Focus on the Most Important
There is a simple approach for ensuring you spend your time each day doing the single, most-important things.
Productivity Journaling
Using a journal to track your regular progress can have a huge impact in building momentum and focus.
How to Schedule Your Day
Discover a simple way to schedule your daily tasks in order to maintain focus and breathing room in your day.
Weekly Planning & Reviewing
A simple and regular review session will help you stay focused and accomplish your goals.
Detailed Notebook Walkthrough
A detailed walk through of how Shawn sets up his weekly and daily schedule in his notebook.
Expert Interviews
Get access to six audio interviews with productivity experts, talking about focus, distractions, work-life balance, and more.
Custom Productivity Templates
PDF files for my custom Monthly Habit Tracker with Daily Journal, Monthly Planner, Weekly Planner, Daily Planner, and Weekly Review.
Walkthrough of Things on the Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Two Videos. Get a complete rundown of all the features of Things 3 on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. After this, you’ll know your way inside and out of everything Things is capable of.
Anatomy of a To-Do Item
Two videos. Discover every single component of a to-do item, and all the unique ways you can create and capture tasks into Things.
Mastering Projects and Areas
Two videos. Discover how to organize your tasks within projects and areas, as well as how to best set up areas for simplicity, focus, and ease-of-use.
Cloud Sync & Backup
Everything you need to know about Things Cloud Sync Features, as well as how to backup and restore your database.
Drag & Drop on iPad
Things on the iPad is a comfortable yet formidable productivity app. Here I’ll show you some ways I use the iPad app with other apps to be productive.
Applescripts & Workflows
Discover ways you can script and Workflow Things 3 on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
Setup Interviews
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how others are using Things 3 in their day-to-day lives.
Shawn gets it. And best of all ... he can help you get it, too. I found this course to be affirming and helpful.
David Sparks, Cohost of Mac Power Users podcast
30-Day, Money-Back Guarantee
Please take a month to check out the class. If, for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied just let us know and we’ll be glad to give you a full refund. No questions asked. It’s zero risk on your part.
All the Things (Basic)
Just the screencast tutorials for Things 3, user setup interviews, and the advanced scripts.
Walkthrough of Things on the Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Anatomy of a To-Do Item
Mastering Projects and Areas
Cloud Sync & Backup
Drag & Drop on iPad
Applescripts & Workflows
Setup Interviews
All the Things (Analog)
Get all the productivity training videos, expert interviews, and productivity templates but none of the Things 3 screencasts.
Meaningful Productivity
Hybrid Productivity Method
How to Focus on the Most Important
Productivity Journaling
How to Schedule Your Day
Weekly Planning & Reviewing
Detailed Notebook Walkthrough
Expert Interviews
Custom Productivity Templates
Upgrade: Save 50% on the Entire TSS Course Library
Many of our 14,000 customers have purchase multiple courses from the TSS library. If you want to skip ahead, you can also save over $600 in the process. Buy the full library of our popular courses that cover Productivity, Idea Development, Time Management, Habits, and more.
The Complete Training Bundle includes all 9 of the TSS video courses: Simple Habits; Timeblocking + Time Tracking; All the Things; Mastering Mind Maps; Learn Ulysses; Day One in Depth; Learn GoodNotes + Templates; The Productivity Flywheel; and To Obsidian and Beyond. A total value of $1,226. You save over 50% when you buy the complete bundle for just $597.
“Our highest priority is to protect our ability to prioritize... Focusing on the essentials is a choice. It is your choice.”
Greg McKeown, Best-selling author of Essentialism
This course is for you if...
You use Things (or would like to start using it) for task management. This is our favorite productivity app, and we want to show you how to get the most out of it.
You don’t use Things for task management, but you want to get an in-depth look at our best productivity workflows and more. (Good news: The Pro tier of All The Things covers our best practices, templates, personal systems, and more. What you will learn in these sessions can be applied to whichever tool you use (including OmniFocus, Todoist, a physical journal, and more).)
You’ve read a productivity / GTD book or two and had trouble applying the rigid methodology to your day-to-day life.
You’re not an organized person, but would like to have a few tricks up your sleeve to help you stay on top of your to-do list (at work and/or at home).
Your to-do list overfloweth. You’ve got too much to do, not enough time to do it, and a general feeling of overwhelm when you look at your list of things to do.
You have multiple areas of life to manage (work, home, personal side projects, etc.) and you’re not sure how to organize them.
You find systems to be annoying, but know that you need a better way to stay on top of your tasks.
You want to ensure the important things you need to do are not falling through the cracks.
Most of your day is filled with busywork rather than meaningful work.
You struggle to manage all the incoming tasks that come your way.
Shawn's training on productivity has been so helpful to me. If your task list feels overwhelming, I think you would love All the Things!
Joanna Eitel
FAQ
Q: Is there a money-back guarantee?
A: Yes! You get 30 days to check out the class, which is more than enough time to go through all the material. If, for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied just let us know and we’ll be glad to give you a full refund.
Q: I don't use Things, but I want to get the other productivity training videos without having to buy the full Pro course. Are the other videos available separately?
A: Yes! The high-altitude productivity videos are available as a standalone option for $79. These are great if you use a different productivity app (such as OmniFocus or Todoist). The content within these videos does not go into any technical specifics about a particular app, but focuses entirely on higher-level productivity systems and mindsets, as well as how I (Shawn) use both digital and analog tools to stay focused and productive during the day.
You can buy the productivity videos only right here.
Q: What do I get when I buy All the Things?
A: You will get immediate access to all the content as soon as you sign up. The website is easy to use and navigate, and works great on desktop, iPad, and iPhone. You also will be able to download all the videos in HD format for offline viewing, and we include full-text transcripts of each video as well.
Q: I mostly use Things on my iPad (or iPhone), is the course still relevant for me?
A: Yes! Absolutely. Things on iPad and iPhone are first-class citizens here. All three versions of the Things app (Mac, iPad, iPhone) are nearly identical to one another. While most of our Screencast videos show the Mac app or iPad app in use, you’ll still discover all the same features that exist across all versions of the app. Moreover, there are a couple of videos that focus only on the iOS version of Things showing you some of its unique features.
Q: Who made this class?
A: All of us here at The Sweet Setup. Our goal is to help you make the most of your time and attention. We do this by researching the very best apps for your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. But we also know a LOT about workflows, staying focused, and best practices. That’s why we’re visited by 500,000 readers every month.
With All the Things, we'll teach you how to get the most out of the best productivity app out there, and we'll also give you some best practices for keeping your life focused and in control.
30-Day, Money-Back Guarantee
Please take a month to check out the class. If, for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied just let us know and we’ll be glad to give you a full refund. No questions asked. It’s zero risk on your part.
Managing your tasks and your time with Mike Vardy.
How to stay organized with Ben Brooks.
The most common productivity pitfalls with Erik Fisher.
How to balance work and life with Havilah Cunnington.
How to stay focused with Anthony Ongaro.
