How is This GTD?
October 31st, 2008 Oliver StarrCategories | David Allen | Getting Things Done | Implementation | Tips - How To's
The Examiner.com has a post called “The Thirty Day File” that reads as follows:
Ok, You have started using GTD. You have 43 Folders in the desk drawer file cabinet. You are still inundated by requests for your time - all of which are urgent. Try the 30 day file approach. It could be a bit dangerous - but that’s up to you.
- Step 1 - When you get a request for some activity or task, date it and file it in your 30 day file.
- Step 2 - If at the end of 30 days no one has gotten back to you on this item - trash it.
- Step 3 - If your boss asks you how it’s coming - say “Great”, pull it out of the file and move it to your active stack.
Try it. It works!
Since the author opens by stating that “you are using GTD and the 43 Folders approach towards productivity” it makes sense to assume that this author is also using GTD to some degree.
Given that I have to ask how this “Thirty Day File” approach towards prioritizing what needs to be done aligns with GTD in any way shape or form?
From my perspective this seems like abrogating control to whomever in your life asks you for things the most frequently and it appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Natural Planning Model. In fact it seems more like the evil opposite of GTD a demon we call “Latest and Loudest”.
Even if you ignore the obvious question “Yes, but what if I’m my own boss and only I schedule what I need to do and when I need to do it?” this approach appears to be fraught with potential disasters from almost every angle imaginable.
What’s ironic about this is that the advice comes from what appears to be a highly authoritative source. Howard Flomberg has some impressive credentials and would appear to be someone that should understand GTD and be able to apply its concepts correctly both to his own life and by extension to the lives of people that take his advice.
Now I’m not claiming to be the definitive source on GTD - as those of you that have been reading GTDtimes from day one are aware, I am a relative new-comer to this practice. That said, if it is obvious to me that this approach is pretty much the antithesis of GTD than it must seem even more agregious to those of you that have been practicing GTD for years.
On the other hand, perhaps I am misunderstanding something fundamental either about this method of prioritization or about GTD. Thus what I’d like to do is ask your opinion: is this GTD or is this GTD’s arch nemesis disguised as GTD by a well meaning expert on workplace productivity who doesn’t quite grasp the nuances of GTD as David Allen conceives it?
I trust that you’ll let me know what you think in the comments. And, if you happen to be Mr. Flomberg I would welcome your comments and critical analysis as well.


















