PC World asked David Allen to name five tips for productivity.  The focus is on productivity within the Windows environment, but several tips apply to Mac as well.

1. eProductivity for Lotus Notes
2. Blackberry synchronization with Lotus Notes
3. MindManager from Mindjet
4. ActiveWords
5. Pamela Professional for Skype

Read more . . .

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GTD is an approach that is not tool-specific.  So while it’s important to land on gear (paper or digital) that will stand up to the complexity of your work and personal life, it’s more important that it clearly serves the purpose of reflecting the reminders and information in the most appropriate way for you. The tool won’t decide what something means—you have to do that, and the GTD process is the key.

If anyone is telling you a specific piece of software is required for GTD–good chance they don’t understand GTD.

We do have a few key tools that we personally use and recommend that have gone through David Allen’s extensive vetting process. You can find a link to those in our online store.  If you don’t see your software listed here, it means we do not have a recommendation at this time, but a search on GTD Times and our public Forums should give you quite a few helpful suggestions about what other GTDers are using.

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RIM announced the BlackBerry PlayBook this week. Anyone planning on using it as your GTD system?  If so, what appeals to you about it? If not, how come?

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If you have been wanting to try out a Tickler File, here’s your chance. The David Allen Company store has their popular GTD Tickler System file folder set on sale for $29.95, a discount of 25% off the regular price.

Check it out now! 

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Do you use an iPad for anything GTD-related?

You can hear how David uses his new iPad on the latest Up Close with David podcast series on GTD Connect.

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We just released an A4* size of our new GTD & BlackBerry Guide. For those of you who will print the Guide and prefer this size instead of the standard U.S. letter size, you will now find it in our David Allen Company online store.

This 45 page Guide, created by David Allen and the senior coaches, will show you how to:

• Manage your email effectively on the BlackBerry–including how to get email to zero
• Use BlackBerry Tasks for your Projects and Actions–including descriptions and examples of what goes on different lists
• Use the Calendar as a critical foundation for actions–with shortcuts for switching between different views
• Create useful reference lists in MemoPad–for managing the “non-action” part of your life as well
• Move faster with speed keys and shortcuts–referenced throughout the Guide and on handy quick reference sheet
• Navigate around the BlackBerry easily–with tips on customizing some settings to match the way you work

*210 MM wide and 297 MM tall (about 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inch), used in Europe, and rest of the world, except the US and some neighboring countries where ‘letter-size’ paper (8 1/2 x 11 inch) is used.

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A contribution from Eric Mack with ICA, developers of the “GTD Enabled” application eProductivity for IBM Lotus Notes

Does your employer block productivity apps on your BlackBerry, iPhone, or Android Smartphone?

With the recent discussions about Apps and how consumers want the freedom to find, evaluate, and purchase Apps for their Smartphones, I wonder how many users are able download and use a productivity application and how many have policies that prevent them from doing so.

If you found a productivity application for your mobile device that was proven to increase your performance, would you: a) be allowed to install it? b) encounter resistance (or refusal) from IT to allow you to install it? c) make a business case to management for why this App should be allowed?

Please take a moment to take the quick poll then scroll down to share your comments.

[Read more →]

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Community Contribution from Jason Verly

On April 3, 2010, Apple released the iPad to the world.  A day later I completely changed how I do my weekly reviews.  Like most avid GTD’ers, I kept my weekly review to be a sacred and solemn time.  I normally did my reviews on Sunday evening in my home office so I could really dig into what was happening so I could get clear about what I had coming up the next week.  My weekly review was anchored to a time and place where I believed I needed to be to get through my lists.  Not anymore.

The weekend the iPad came out my weekly review was done on the couch sitting next to my 5y old son while he watched a movie.  I have to tell you, it was great.  I was in a relaxed place, with little distraction, and I was able to focus and process like never before.  Now before you hit enter on your comment asking how could I concentrate while sitting next to my son while he was watching a movie or stating there is no way someone could get a good weekly review done in that kind of setting, see if you can give me two more minutes to explain.  I’ll bet I can convince you it can be done in that kind of setting and it is so worth it. [Read more →]

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Many of you have been searching for the GTD Coordinator® paper planner.  Created in partnership with Mead, this paper planner is designed GTD-style.  It quickly sold out in the DavidCo store (except for blank refill packs), but you can still find the full 2010 GTD Coordinator in many Staples retail stores throughout the U.S.   Here’s specifically what to look for:

Letter-size GTD Coordinator- Item #805099 - Last we heard, there were 4,700 units available in Staples stores.

Junior-size GTD Coordinator- Item # 805102 – Last we heard, there were 900 units available in Staples stores.

So, which Staples stores have them? This is where the adventures begins…

The easiest way to locate one is to  do a live chat with Staples.com to find the location of the store closest to you with inventory.  They have access to the full inventory and will be of great assistance. Give them the item numbers above or the name “GTD Coordinator.”  Unfortunately, if you call a Staples store the staff will not be able to find one, but the live chat agents will at least save you from hunting around to all of your local Staples stores.  If you do find one, they will be in the paper planner or calendar section of the store.

We’ll post what we know about 2011 inventory as we learn more about Mead’s plans.

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There’s still time to get a FREE set of the GTD System File Folders (an $18.95 value) if you order the GTD System Starter Kit by May 1st.  Aligned to the principles of GTD, six of these folders are imprinted with the essential categories:

1. In
2. To Home
3. To Office
4. Read/Review
5. Action Support
6. Waiting For Support

An additional six folders are blank for you to label as you wish.  Paired with the GTD System Starter Kit, you’ll have all of the key ingredients for getting a solid GTD system off the ground. Simply add “FREE FOLDERS” to the notes section of your order on checkout (no need to add them to your cart) and the File Folders will be included for free with your order. International orders qualify too!   Questions? Contact customerservice@davidco.com.

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