A GTDer asked:

Do we write down only immediate tasks, or also long term tasks? How to track a long-term task?

My reply:

I am assuming that by long-term tasks you mean an action that cannot be taken now, but will need to be done in the future.  One of the keys of GTD is to develop an action list comprised of only actions that are actionable now.  If one places actions they know need to get done in the future – but cannot be acted on now – on their list, then every time they looked at it they would have to filter the actionable vs. the non-actionable.  This would likely slow the person down, and in many cases cause them to abandon GTD.

Understanding this, there are a few options:

1. If the long-term action is part of a project (an outcome that requires more than one action) you may want to track the action wherever you are managing your project information. [Read more →]

No Comments »

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 →]

No Comments »

One of the most common questions we get is how to get started with GTD.   New people, especially, will ask this after coming to us dazed and confused by what GTD is really about.   And, lots of people seem to be hoping a piece of software will teach them GTD.  Sorry, but that’s kind of like buying a car and then learning how to drive.  You’ll make your way down the road, but it won’t be pretty.

As a GTD Coach, and also intimately involved in the education and offerings from David Allen, I would suggest one of the following products:

The GTD System – This is, in my opinion, one of the best educational products we offer.  You get a ton of resources to learn GTD at your own pace.  You get the GTD book, coaching CDs with David Allen, GTD Connect and more. Good stuff. [Read more →]

2 Comments »

A GTD’er wrote to us to ask what resources we have for helping her manage email. She wrote that email is “vying for top ten on my list of overwhelming.”  Here’s what one of our coaches shared:

There are a few excellent resources from the David Allen Company for applying the GTD methods to your email:

1. The GTD Setup Guides, specific to your tool, will cover the best practices of email.
2. There is a terrific free article called “Getting Email Under Control” that covers this issue as well.
3. Our GTD Connect online learning center also runs regular Webinar classes on topics such as email. There is a Webinar in the Archive Library called “Managing Email” that you should find useful. GTD Connect is $48 per month (cancel anytime) or $480 per year (one-year commitment.)
4. Our public GTD Mastering Workflow classes cover email best practices.  These one-day classes are a great way to learn all of the GTD essentials, including email.
5. There are loads of posts on GTD Times on the topic of email. Search on the keyword “email” or follow the tag.

1 Comment »

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 →]

3 Comments »

If you’re not doing a Weekly Review, then you’re always trying to do a Weekly Review, but never really doing it. The real reason to do it is so that 6.9 days of the week you don’t have to.  -David Allen

Looking for motivation and coaching on the GTD Weekly Review?  Get the CD set. Includes Coach Meg Edwards walking you through a Guided Weekly Review.

2 Comments »

You can never get enough of what you don’t really need. And you can never work hard enough, long enough, or fast enough, to eliminate the stress or discomfort that drives those behaviors. Your Weekly Review brings a much-needed break in the pace.  -David Allen

Grab the free article on the GTD Weekly Review

No Comments »

Do YOU know the best practices of GTD?

Although they’ve been recorded for our GTD Connect online learning center, we have been posting the GTD Best Practices series to our free public podcast as well, for all to benefit from.  These informal podcasts are a great way to learn the essentials of GTD.  Here are the first 4 in the series.

Best Practices of Collect

Best Practices of Processing

Best Practices of Organize

Best Practices of Review

The final phase, the “Best Practices of Doing,” will be recorded in early March.  It will be released for GTD Connect members first, then put into the public podcast feed some time after that.  If you like these podcasts, GTD Connect has over 110 recordings like these, with more added every week, that you can play on the Connect site or  sync to iTunes.  It’s a great way to learn coaching tips from David and the staff, listen to interesting interviews with GTD’ers (Evan Taubenfeld being one of the recent ones), watch the “Slice of GTD Life” videos and more.  Good stuff.  Check out the free trial of GTD Connect.

1 Comment »