A GTDer asked:

Do we write down only immediate tasks, or also long term tasks? How to track a long-term task?

My reply:

I am assuming that by long-term tasks you mean an action that cannot be taken now, but will need to be done in the future.  One of the keys of GTD is to develop an action list comprised of only actions that are actionable now.  If one places actions they know need to get done in the future – but cannot be acted on now – on their list, then every time they looked at it they would have to filter the actionable vs. the non-actionable.  This would likely slow the person down, and in many cases cause them to abandon GTD.

Understanding this, there are a few options:

1. If the long-term action is part of a project (an outcome that requires more than one action) you may want to track the action wherever you are managing your project information. …more

Tags: coaching, Getting Things Done, GTD, GTD Best Practices, Implementation, Implementing GTD, Tips and Tricks
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A Community Contribution from Mike Vardy

As the first quarter of 2010 passes us by, I’m going to ask it: How many of you have stuck to your “resolutions” that you made at the start of 2010?

I’m betting that some of you – perhaps most of you – have faltered on them in some form or another.  It’s to be expected.  In fact, it can be preferred.

I’ve heard David Allen say you need to make a bunch of resolutions – essentially goals – and the real challenge is making some of them stick.  When I first heard this, I couldn’t believe it.  I mean – c’mon – surely we should have some focus on what we want to get out of ourselves and the year ahead.  Why not hone in on a few resolutions from the onset? …more

Tags: Community Contributions, Goals, Mike Vardy - Community Contributor, procrastination
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I want to share this wonderful email I received from Gerald today.  Not only because he shares about GTD Connect (which of course we think is terrific!)–but he shares a common experience I think some people have in trying to implement GTD.  Some people try GTD, put it (kick it) aside, then come back to give it another go and it just pops for them.  If that’s you, give it another go. You may find you have fresh eyes and a deeper understanding to make it work for you.  And if it’s not for you, that’s OK too (although I doubt you’re even reading GTD Times if that’s the case.)

I want  you know that since I have returned to GTD (over 2 months now), I have joined GTD Connect and listened to 38 podcasts out of the 145 from Connect …more

Tags: Getting Things Done, GTD, GTD Connect, Implementation, Implementing GTD, trusted system
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I suggest that people build into their personal systems whatever checklists might prevent things from glitching on the back end, assuming they are reviewed appropriately. A great example, for people who travel, is the “travel checklist”–everything that you might ever want to take with you anywhere.  Doesn’t mean you have to pack it! Just that you want to consider the option so you don’t miss something. People often jokingly ask for mine to start with, to save them some time, so… here it is.

(I suggest you copy and paste into your word processor, and customize it for yourself. If you have a boat, go fishing regularly, or have other special kinds of trips, you might want a separate checklist for those. I used to additionally have a “take to boat” checklist, when I was sailing regularly.)

David Allen’s Travel Checklist

…more

Tags: checklists, David Allen, Getting Things Done, GTD, GTD Best Practices, Reference, Tips and Tricks, Travel
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A community contribution by Meghan Wilker. Join Meghan and Coach Kelly Forrister on the upcoming Webinar for GTD Connect Members–”Productive Use of Social Media.”

When Google unveiled Buzz a few weeks ago (and Wave a couple of months before that), it got me to thinking about how the emergence of each new technology often means an associated emergence of a new inbox.

These new inboxes now can sometimes creep up without us noticing right away. For example, when I got an iPhone in 2007, texting suddenly became a major new source of input. Don’t get me wrong: I’m a self-professed “Geek Girl” — it’s not like I didn’t have a phone capable of texting before 2007. I did. But, it was rather clunky and I didn’t use it often. Most people I knew didn’t use it much (I’m a Gen Xer, so we don’t text as profusely as those Gen Y youngins do). Once I got an iPhone, texting was suddenly dead simple. Once my PARENTS got iPhones…good night. Suddenly I was getting texts from my Baby Boomer dad (“Hi, honey!” “Did you get that?” “Is this working?”) …more

Tags: Community Contributions, Facebook, inbox, Productivity, Twitter
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Want to see more videos of David? Check out GTD Connect.

Tags: David Allen, David Allen Company, Getting Things Done, GTD, GTD Best Practices, Mind Like Water, trusted system
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“Your filing system should be a simple library of data, easily retrievable–not your reminder for actions, projects, priorities or prospects.” – David Allen

Tags: David Allen, filing, Reference
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One of the most common questions we get is how to get started with GTD.   New people, especially, will ask this after coming to us dazed and confused by what GTD is really about.   And, lots of people seem to be hoping a piece of software will teach them GTD.  Sorry, but that’s kind of like buying a car and then learning how to drive.  You’ll make your way down the road, but it won’t be pretty.

As a GTD Coach, and also intimately involved in the education and offerings from David Allen, I would suggest one of the following products:

The GTD System – This is, in my opinion, one of the best educational products we offer.  You get a ton of resources to learn GTD at your own pace.  You get the GTD book, coaching CDs with David Allen, GTD Connect and more. Good stuff. …more

Tags: coaching, David Allen Company, Getting Things Done, GTD, GTD Best Practices, gtd coaching, GTD Connect, Implementation, Implementing GTD, Kelly Forrister, Mastering Workflow
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