Your Guide to ChatGPT’s New Tasks Feature: What’s the Productivity Value Play? (#6)

Learn how to use ChatGPT's Tasks feature to schedule reminders, track niche, keyword-focused news, and stay organized. It’s young and limited, but it can still add value when used effectively. Also, discover its productivity value play.

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT’s search function on October 31,? all types of media involved, from digital marketing to tech to mainstream publications, went bizerk covering the event.?

There were proponents and opponents everywhere. Fast-forward to the end of January, and ChatGPT’s search continues to strengthen. For many searches, the process is simple. For example, you can look up an Italian Pizza Recipe on ChatGPT and then Google it.?

ChatGPT provides one clear and simple recipe. However, Google displays multiple results, including a few that are only for dough.?

However, despite ChatGPT's rapid user growth—DemandSage reports reaching 300 million weekly active users by December 2024—its impact on Google's market share has been limited. Statcounter reports that Google owns 89.7% of the search market share worldwide.?

This suggests that while AI chatbots like ChatGPT are gaining traction, they have yet to disrupt the established dynamics of the search engine market significantly.

It's early in the development of ChatGPT search, and there’s no denying that its market share for search will grow tremendously in 2025.?

Now, ChatGPT is also chasing productivity with the new “Tasks” feature, which is currently in beta. In short, the 300 million users who rely on ChatGPT daily can now automate time management.

With this Tasks addition, you can set reminders and schedule recurring tasks to optimize productivity—all within the ChatGPT interface. You can also set desktop notifications (no mobile yet) and emails to get these daily announcements.?

But how good is it??

Well, it’s in the beginning stages and has minimum abilities. In this article, I’ll explore all the basics you need to know about ChatGPT's current Tasks feature, including how to set it up, use it effectively, and maximize its potential for personal and professional productivity.

But First, What’s the Biggest Value Play?

Before the basics, here’s where the value lies—getting quick, updated information as frequently as you wish on any topic.?

When Tasks were first added on January 14, I downplayed it big time. Who needs another task reminder??

But after playing around with it, I’ve added it to my productivity training—but not so much for daily tasks because I use my personal “Time Management Inverted” framework (currently editing the book dedicated to this subject) and Google Calendar.?

Tasks is super useful in accelerating learning by scheduling tasks like “send me all news from the day regarding AI advancements, SEO news, and crypto investing at noon daily.”?

ChatGPT will send me all news and attributed web pages, helping me stay fresh on any updates within these industries and be reminded of them daily. It’s like a supercharged Feedly that allows you to get more granular and specific by targeting super niche keywords.?

I also do this every Monday for each client niche I have, from self-directed investing to pest control to electric motorcycles. This is a huge time saver for agencies like mine. Each team member can quickly stay on top of the news for each client’s niche and be reminded of them weekly so they stay on top of everything.?

And again, the super niche keyword targeting makes this tool very valuable. For example, my agency’s content strategies always focus highly on the top profitable and future services or products, and we want to stay on top of everything newsworthy or developing.?

One of our clients is the self-directed investing niche, so besides news pertaining to that, my team will also set daily reminders about cryptocurrency and the latest IRS news involving self-directed investing.

Even if most days are boring and nothing new, that one day something huge happens will allow the team to quickly jump on the opportunity and get the client’s brand mixed into the conversation.

So far, that’s the huge value play. And here are the basics.?

What Is the ChatGPT Tasks Feature?

The ChatGPT Tasks feature allows users to create, schedule, and manage reminders directly within the chat. Think of a calendar app like Google Calendar but in your face if you’re a ChatGPT user.

Here are its features—limited in these beginning phases:

• Set One-Time and Recurring Reminders

• Natural Language Scheduling

• Task Tracking and Management

• Seamless Integration

How to Use ChatGPT’s Tasks Feature

Setting up and managing tasks in ChatGPT is simple. Here’s how.

1. Enabling the Tasks Feature

Currently, the Tasks feature is in beta and may not be available to all users. To check if you have access:

• Click on your profile image in the top right corner. If Tasks is present, click that and set your first task.
• If enabled, you’ll see a prompt to start scheduling tasks directly.
• For future task creation, go up to the model drop-down and choose the “GPT-4o with scheduled tasks” option.

2. Creating a New Task

From there, use the language and converse with ChatGPT like you would SIRI or Alexa, or type in a task.?

Try these examples:

• One-time reminder: “Remind me to submit the report on Monday at 2 PM.”
• Recurring reminder: “Schedule my workout every Monday and Thursday at 7 AM.”

Once a task is set, ChatGPT will confirm the details and add it to your task list.

3. Viewing Your Scheduled Tasks

To check upcoming tasks, simply ask:

• “What’s on my schedule today?”
• “Show me my tasks for next week.”

ChatGPT will display a detailed list of your scheduled reminders and tasks. You can also head to your profile image and check the tasks there.

4. Editing and Deleting Tasks

Need to change or remove a task? Use commands like:

• “Reschedule my doctor’s appointment to next Friday at 10 AM.”
• “Delete my gym reminder for Wednesdays.”
• Or go to the Tasks link in your profile and edit them.

Here are some quick weekly reminder examples for business owners:

• "Remind me to review my weekly and priorities every Monday at 7 AM."
• "Remind me of my focused deep work sessions every weekday from 9 AM to 11 AM."
• "Remind me to review and update my budget on the 1st of every month."
• "Remind me to reach out to a professional contact every Friday."

Tips to Maximize Productivity with ChatGPT Tasks

Here are some tips on maximizing your Tasks:

• Be Specific with Your Commands: Instead of “Remind me to exercise,” try “Remind me to do yoga every morning at 7 AM.”
• Combine with ChatGPT’s Other Features: Use Tasks alongside ChatGPT's planning abilities, such as meal planning or daily agendas.
• Review Regularly: Check your tasks weekly to stay on track and adjust as needed.
• Sync with Your Workflow: Use tasks to break down larger projects into smaller, manageable steps.

Current Limitations of the Tasks Feature

Since the Tasks feature is still in beta, there are a few limitations to be aware of:

• No External Calendar Integration Yet: Tasks cannot sync directly with Google Calendar or Outlook.
• Limited Notification Options: Reminders are only available within the ChatGPT chat window and through email (no mobile notifications yet).
• Beta Availability: The feature is gradually rolling out and might not be available to all users immediately.

Expect all of these limitations to be updated soon. And stay updated on new features via OpenAI's official support page.

And yes, I have a ChatGPT task to check that weekly.

That’s the basics. It's nothing crazy, but it's definitely worth checking out—especially for those of us who like to stay on top of any developments within our industries.

If you run a business that has multiple client niches, this is a very productive way to stay on top of any developments and be reminded to do so as frequently as possible.

For example, my AI in the News reminder sent me the latest New York Post article on Stargate updates this morning. Nothing refreshes energy more than fresh news of Elon Musk bitching about something.?

For now, this is where the most value resides in ChatGPT’s new Tasks feature. But I expect many more features to arrive—and quickly.?