Getting Things Done® is an approach applied to managing the commitments we make to ourselves, our colleagues, our family, community and the world.  An assumption many folks make as they inquire about bringing GTD to their organization is that the GTD workshop must be “customized.”  There is a big difference between the art of work (what GTD teaches) versus the work you do (your job).

People will tell us, “You don’t understand, we’re different.”  Well, yes…and maybe not.  We at the David Allen Company define “work” not as that place you walk into carrying your expensive cup of coffee/mocha java late’ (skim).  We define “work” as anything that needs to be different than it is.  So while your jobs may be different, that fact that all folks have things that need be different in their lives is not different.

While cultures may be unique and individual jobs may be different, the fact is that a “customization” of the GTD workflow model is not needed.  How people apply GTD to the tools they use and what we demonstrate for solutions will vary based on the audience, but the workflow model will apply to all.

The reason lies in the principles of GTD – capturing everything that has your attention, clarifying these inputs into outcomes and actions and placing them into a system the individual trusts implicitly (takes a bit of time to get here), and reviewing this system as often as needed to make certain that one is placing their focus where it needs to be, when it needs to be! Simple, right?

I see one common theme arise–regardless of the profession:   you have daily inputs that need to be defined and converted into outcomes (DONE) and actions (DOING).

• Lawyers must “review pages 9-11 of Smith contract for revisions”@computer
• Sales folks must  “Mr. Bader to discuss next article for website@calls
• Doctors must “develop draft of PPT slides for presentation at Phoenix conference”@computer
• Moms must “get Joey baseball spikes”@errands
• Business owners must “compete loan application and email to John at National Bank”@computer
• The managing director of the wagon building department at the North Pole must “Santa – discuss decrease in wagon demand and increase in electric scooters”@agendas

The “customization” many speak of does not relate to the GTD principles (Collect – Process – Organize – Review – Do), but rather to how one practices these principles.  This is no different than those who know the principles of building material wealth (compound interest, pre-tax deductions) or staying in physical shape (diet, exercise). One may understand a principle of diet as it relates to physical health and practice vegetarianism, while another practices the same principle while eating some red meats, but with a greater intake of fish/chicken.

The customization of GTD implementation is endless.  Some Organize in Outlook while others choose Lotus Notes, while others still like a paper system.  Some folks keep actionable emails in the @action email folder while others convert their actionable emails into tasks/to-do’s.  Others print out their tasks and highlight the ones they will finish that day, while others place these actions on their calendar as all-day events rather than in their action lists.

When we present a seminar, we do not come to tell you how to do your job. In most cases we are not qualified to do this – and probably don’t want to be.

What we do come to do is assist you in learning how to master the flow of your work – two very different disciplines…but very closely connected.  The feedback we often get is, “Wow, as I begin to improve managing my workflow, I’m doing my job better.”

Yes, exactly.

Danny Bader is a senior presenter and coach with the David Allen Company.

Tags: Danny Bader - Staff Contributor, Implementation, Training //
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