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? [Read more →]

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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 [Read more →]

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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?”) [Read more →]

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People ask us all the time how to get GTD to stick in their organization.  Here’s a great testimonial for how to build a network of GTD’ers:

David,

Just a quick note to let you know my company is still employing GTD and getting better at it!  We conversed a few years ago about a group we created at my business for people to implement and be accountable for creating their systems and establishing the habit of the Weekly Review…

Well…I am pleased to say we are still doing it!  And, we resurrected the group again in January, and this time there are 12 participants (voluntary of course).  I wanted to let you know some of the successes and insights we have had during this session.   [Read more →]

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David Allen refers to your day-to-day Calendar and Action choices as the “Runway.”  In the Horizons of Focus model, covered in Getting Things Done and more extensively in Making It All Work, it’s the ground floor:

• 50,000 – Purpose
• 40,000 – Vision
• 30,000 – Goals
• 20,000 – Responsibilities
• 10,000 – Projects
• Runway – Calendar & Actions

We got a letter from Mike who has been reading the Getting Things Done book and shared his experience with us of what David’s means by “keeping the runway clear.” [Read more →]

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GTD Connect member & GTD Times contributor Meghan Wilker is hosting a Tweetup for GTD’ers in Minneapolis, on March 3rd @ 6:30pm.

GTD® Tweetup at CoCo Collaborative

Are you a fan of GTD? Do you have questions about what it’s all about? Come join us for the first GTD Tweetup in the Twin Cities. No matter if you have achieved mind like water or feel like you have water on the brain, all are welcome. Meet others in the area that are fans of GTD or just come hang out with us. It’s all going down at Honey Lounge, one of the hippest new venues in one of the coolest areas of Minneapolis.

Learn more…

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A Community Contribution from Ryan Oakley

Whether you’re a proficient OneNote user or just started using it after reading my GTD and OneNote article posted on GTD Times it doesn’t take long to populate the software with a tonne of pages and a tonne of information (yes, I am Canadian).

First, some definitions:

MS Office OneNote 2007 is a digital notebook that provides people one place to gather their notes and information, powerful search to find what they are looking for quickly, and easy-to-use shared notebooks so that they can manage information overload and work together more effectively.

ActiveWords is a Windows application that relates words and actions, giving you instant access to what you want, making you more productive, and improving the quality of your work.  (Editors note: ActiveWords was also featured in a podcast by David Allen.) [Read more →]

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We are often asked, “Does GTD stick long-term?”  Here’s a great demonstration from GTD’er Steve Fogel:

It is a great thing to have this as the standard and comfort zone.  I would say in the last six months, I’ve consistently been here. What’s cool about GTD, is when you get here, it’s the starting point not the destination.  Can’t believe I’ve been using these tools since 1988.

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