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2. Setup & Overview

Follow these steps to set up your account and get familiar with the app’s layout. In just a few minutes, you’ll be ready to start capturing your tasks and freeing your mind.

2.1 Signing Up and First Steps​

1. Create Your Account​

2. Explore​

Once you’ve signed in, you’ll land on your Focus list—where your to-dos for the day are highlighted. The rest of your tasks and projects can be found in the side navigation bar. Here’s what you’ll see:

  • Inbox: Your starting point for capturing everything—tasks, ideas or projects that pop into your mind.
  • Next: Your list of actionable to-dos, ready to tackle anytime.
  • Waiting: To-dos on hold because you’re waiting for someone else or specific circumstances.
  • Scheduled: Items you’ve deferred for the future.
  • Someday: Ideas or goals you’re not ready to commit to yet.
  • Focus: Your personal spotlight—tasks you’ve chosen to prioritize today.

Each list plays a unique role in keeping you organized. You’ll learn more about how to use them in the next sections.

3. Start Capturing​

  1. Go to the Inbox and use the + button to start adding tasks.
    • Example: “Call dentist to reschedule” or “Brainstorm blog ideas.”
  2. Keep going. The more tasks you get out of your head the lighter you'll feel.
  3. Don’t overthink! Your goal is to capture everything swirling in your mind—you’ll organize it all later.

2.2 Philosophy​

Nirvana is more than a task manager—it’s a way to help you think clearly, act intentionally, and focus on what truly matters. Inspired by David Allen’s Getting Things Done® (GTD) methodology, Nirvana provides a framework that supports both productivity and peace of mind.

At its core, Nirvana is designed to help you offload mental clutter, organize your commitments, and approach each day with clarity and confidence.

The Five Steps to Stress-Free Productivity​

Nirvana follows the five core principles of GTD, helping you build a system you can trust:

  1. Capture

    • Use the Inbox to collect every task, idea, or commitment as it arises. Big or small, get it out of your head and into Nirvana.
    • This ensures nothing important is forgotten and frees your mind for creative thinking.

  2. Clarify

    • Move tasks from the Inbox into their proper place:
      • Assign due dates, tags, or contexts.
      • Decide if a task belongs in Next, Waiting, Scheduled, or Someday.
    • If something isn’t actionable, now or later, either delete it or file it for reference.

  3. Organize

    • Break bigger goals into Projects, each with its own actionable steps.
    • Use Areas to group tasks by roles or concerns, such as “Work,” “Home,” or “Health.”
    • This keeps your system tidy and easy to navigate.

  4. Reflect

    • Review your tasks and priorities often to stay on track.
    • Use Nirvana’s built-in lists to see what needs attention today, this week, or further down the road.
    • A weekly review ensures everything is in its right place and nothing slips through the cracks.

  5. Engage

    • Start your day by choosing tasks from your Next list or the prioritized tasks in Focus.
    • By working from a short actionable list, you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

Why Nirvana Fits Any Workflow​

You don’t need to be a GTD expert to use Nirvana. Whether you’re juggling personal projects, managing a team, or planning your next vacation, Nirvana adapts to your needs.

  • Simplicity: Nirvana emphasizes clarity over complexity, making it easy to stay on top of your tasks.
  • Flexibility: Customize your workflow with tags, projects, and areas.
  • Focus: By narrowing your attention to what’s actionable, Nirvana helps you avoid decision fatigue.

Building a Trusted System​

A trusted system is one where you can confidently offload your responsibilities, knowing they’ll be there when you need them. Nirvana’s structured approach ensures:

  • You always know what to do next.
  • Your tasks are exactly where they need to be.
  • You can focus fully on your priorities without worrying about what you might be forgetting.

Small Steps, Big Wins​

Use Nirvana to capture your tasks, organize your projects, and reflect. Over time, you’ll notice how much lighter and more focused you feel.