This post is from Chip Joyce, a longtime GTDer who also happens to work for David Allen Company as Director of Business Development in New York.

A principle of Getting Things Done is to habitually write down everything that has your attention. Writing things down can be done with pen on paper, or typing into a computer, or any method that externalizes the thought. The key is to get it out of your head.

Then you need to assess whether you are going to commit to doing something about what you’ve written down. If so, what is the desired outcome? What does done look like? And what is the next action to get to that point? Alternately, [Read more →]

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If you don’t have a clear sense of the totality of your obligations, you will always over-commit. And commitments occur on multiple levels, from “why I’m on the planet” to “need butter.” But the elevation most amorphous for most is the plane just above your physical activities — your “projects.” I have a radical definition of a project: anything you’re committed to finish within a year that requires more than one action to complete it. Given that broad designation, most people have between 30 and 100.

• Where’s your projects list?
• How complete and current is it?

- David Allen

For more tips from David about projects, check out the GTD Managing Projects set. Available on CD or MP3 download.

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This is a Community Contribution from April Perry.

Lately I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. Not because I can’t process all the tasks, projects, and goals on my plate, but because I keep forgetting that I only have one plate.

As I’ve applied GTD strategies to my life, opportunities to “live the life of my dreams” have literally exploded in front of me. My website is growing, creative ideas are spilling into my colorful assortment of spiral-bound notebooks, friends and associates are jumping on board to support the vision I’m helping to create, and my family life is exactly what I always hoped it would be.

However, along with all this excitement, my emails have quadrupled, my project load has significantly increased, and my stress level has been rising beyond my comfort level. (Once you experience “stress-free productivity,” there’s no going back . . . .)

So today I decided to apply the Natural Planning Model from GTD to my overall life plan. The point of getting organized isn’t to simply “get more done.” The point is to get the right things done–and that takes some serious decision making.

I figured that as long as I’m doing this exercise, I might as well document the process and share it with others who also might be trying to cram too much onto their plates. [Read more →]

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David Allen discusses key GTD principles for increasing performance and being productive while avoiding the trap of getting bogged down with emerging technologies. This is a video interview on Live Digital with Shelly Palmer. The segment with David begins at 10:08.

(The video is streaming from Live Digital, so you may need to give it a moment to load.)

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The eProductivity team has just launched a flurry of new products and improvements. In addition to a brand-new website, they released a free version, a new standalone product, and price reductions on all new subscriptions.

You may know that David Allen uses eProductivity.  It’s also the GTD app of choice for his staff at the David Allen Company. If you use Lotus Notes, eProductivity is well worth a look. It’s the only app for IBM Lotus software to receive the GTD Enabled designation.

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David Allen received this email from Ben, an enthusiastic GTDer who has been customizing his home and work system for greater productivity.  This is a terrific example of how GTD can be adapted to suit your needs, using the combination of digital and paper that works for you.

Hello David,

I wanted to let you know that I listened to your CD recordings about “Getting Things Done” earlier this year.  Since then, I applied many of the things that you suggested and have found myself to be much more efficient at home and at work.  You might be interested to know a few of the ways that I have applied your suggestions.   

Originally, I created a 3-ring binder with tabs organized by what context I was in (home, office, computer, etc).  Although that was very helpful, I have moved toward doing as much as possible on my computer. [Read more →]

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David Allen talks about the importance of getting stuff off your mind in this interview with Mike Sullivan of M.O.

Mike: Let me ask you this. How important is it to follow this system exactly as you’ve outlined? I read the book a few years ago. I’ve implemented the system. I’m probably not using it to its fullest. What’s your perspective on that?

 

 David: Well, you either want nothing on your mind or you want to keep stuff on your mind. If you want nothing on your mind, you absolutely must rigorously download everything that is potentially meaningful, decide the outcome and action steps embedded in those, and park those in some place you trust you’re going to look at, at the right time.

(The video is streaming from YouTube, so you may need to give it a moment to load.)

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David Allen describes the five levels of thinking that must be clear to make a project happen efficiently and effectively in the world.

DAVID’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

What’s needed and not needed for projects

Many professionals and their company cultures seem addicted to the organizing of projects and situations. Or at least addicted to feeling the need to organize them, and feeling guilty if they’re not. But organizing the structure and components is only one of the five levels of thinking that must be clear . . .

Keep reading David’s article.

Subscribe to Productive Living. It’s free and sent about every 3 weeks. You’ll find essays from David Allen, thought-provoking quotes, and productivity tips you can use every day.

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See how David Allen uses the creative brainstorming technique of mindmapping. Hear how he uses it to capture ideas, create “ideal scenes”, brainstorm projects, and more.

When: Tuesday, May 17, 10am-11am Pacific Time

Where: Webinar hosted by GTD Connect, our online learning center

Who: Open to all GTD Connect members (monthly, annual, or two-week guest pass)

Learn more about GTD Connect or login now to register for the webinar. If you can’t make the live event, the recorded replay will be available in the GTD Connect media library a few days after the event.

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Q: What’s the essence of Getting Things Done, and what are its benefits in a nutshell?

David Allen: It provides the most systematic and effective way for both individuals and organizations to manage anything and everything meaningful to them. This is achieved by objectively capturing, clarifying, and organizing commitments at all key horizons that have their attention; and consistently reviewing and renewing that total inventory, dynamically. The key benefit is freedom – freedom from the sources of distraction and stress; and freedom to focus, engage, and create from a positive, clear space. It moves them from hope to trust in their choices about what to do.

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