1. A method for marking a data item for recognition as a task item, the method comprising: associating a task flagging control with the data item, wherein the task flagging control comprises a context menu displaying selection options comprising assigning a task timing property to the data item; receiving a selection of the task flagging control, wherein receiving the selection of the task flagging control comprises receiving the selection from the context menu accessed via a quick flag box adjacent to the data item; in response to receiving the selection of the task flagging control, automatically applying at least one property to the data item such that the data item is recognized as a task item corresponding to a task to be completed by a user; automatically applying a default start date property, a default task category, and a default due date to the data item; and automatically updating the timing property at a predetermined time, wherein automatically updating the timing property comprises at least one of the following: indicating, by displaying a first icon adjacent to the task item, whether the timing property precedes a current date, indicating, by displaying the first icon adjacent to the task item, whether the timing property matches the current date, indicating, by displaying a second icon adjacent to the task item, whether the timing property matches a next date, indicating, by displaying the second icon adjacent to the task item, whether the timing property matches a date in a current week other than the current date, and indicating, by displaying a third icon adjacent to the task item, whether the timing property proceeds the current week.