Looking back over a year of doing GTD
August 5th, 2011 GTD Times Team - Staff ContributorsCategories | Community Contributions | Family | Getting Things Done | Implementation | Inspiration
A Community Contribution from Björn Ljunggren, a GTD Connect member from Sweden. He shared this in our members-only Forums and we thought it was such a great story that he gave us permission to share it with our GTD Times readers.
My little GTD baby is celebrating its first birthday and it is time to look at the giant leaps and small steps taken towards a “mind like water”.
Even though I bought the book in 2007 I just implemented parts of GTD. I fell of the wagon a lot during these first years and had a major crisis in 2009 when my whole digital GTD system crashed together with the hard drive (no backup). It took until summer of 2010 before I was up and running again and decided to go “all in”. So the system is based on three critical components:
- Complete system both Home/Work
- GTD Connect Member
- Weekly Reviews
Having a complete system is a big task to do, and I guess it is never really “Done”. But I feel very good about my system. I trust it. The GTD Connect community has helped to stay on course and get constant reassurance that I’m not alone in doing GTD when nobody I know is. Thanks Kelly and everyone! 
I did 49 weekly reviews the first year. Probably the biggest single factor for GTD success.
The biggest “wins” this first year:
- Changed job
- Better relationships with my family/friends
- Spiritual awakening
I had been at my old job for seven years and it was time to leave (a long time ago really), but GTD gave me a system to go through the struggle with CV and interviews and disappointments. And it payed off!
I have a much better relationship with my friends than I’ve had in a long time. I see them more often. My family is probably the biggest “winners” since I actually DO domestic things at home, AND have time for family activities.
My spiritual awakening is the one thing that has surprised me the most. Once I implemented GTD the “mental noise” slowed down and I had time to think for the first time about the purpose of why I’m here. This resulted in the realization that I do have a spirit after all. 
This first year has been mostly a mental journey. To change the way I think and therefore act. The second year is probably going to be more driven by spirit though. More around values, purpose and principles.
So how about “Mind like water” then? Not even close. But I’ll keep trying!
Life is good
Thanks. I’m interested in the tools being used successfully, as you have Home/Work combined. That would be tricky, in my case, given the nature of my work (a regulated industry), but I can think of some possibilities. Also, how are you doing things differently since your data crash (i.e., how are you backing up)?
Awesome. Congratulations! I, too, have had reduced metal noise and it has made a huge difference in my life. I have been able to connect with my spirituality as well and have launched a new career as my purpose has become clearer. Thanks for sharing your story.
Allie
Björn, thanks for sharing your inspirational story. Sweden is my favorite country for spending my holiday, because there’s less stress (and a lot more forests!) than here in The Netherlands. That’s what I thought…
Your story makes me renew my vision on Sweden
Great to hear that GTD gave you more balance in life. Keep it going! For the sake of our Swedish fellows, and for the sake of my stressfree holiday 
Thanks all!
My system is based around Googles programs. I use Gmail as my next actions (I mail myself…) and Projects as well in Gmail. My Calender is Google’s and Goals/Vision/Purpose I have in Google Docs. So as you can see, I put all my stuff in the “cloud”, that was the lesson I learned after the carsh.
I also have an Android phone off course!
I also put my work in Gmail although we have Outlook at work. May seem unnecessary but in the process of sending e-mails from Outlook to Gmail I decide what the e-mail means to me and if it’s worth a next action or if it can be trashed/archived. I throw away a lot of e-mails this way!
Björn
Hi, can elaborate a bit more on actions in Gmail? Thank you.