This Q&A about a GTD map happened on our GTD forums. It generated some good discussion, so we wanted to pass it along.

Question: I often hear David refer to having the right map in order to be properly engaged with the present. At first, I thought he was talking about mind maps but now it seems to represents a tool, a system, a checklist. I guess I am really not sure. Can someone explain to me what David is referring to by indicating that you need the right map?

David Allens’s answer: Any tool used to orient yourself. Where am I relative to today’s commitments? (Map = calendar.) What do I need to be aware of, as I meet with my boss? (Map = agenda list.) What should I know or be reminded of about the family vacation? (Maps = travel checklist, calendar of travel events, any plans or details about the content to review.) Where am I about my lifestyle and career right now? (Map = Vision Horizons of Focus.) What do I need from the farmer’s market? (Map = physical walkways of the market.)

Read the full thread here.

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If you are finding that long next actions often go stale, break them into even smaller chunks—even if the smaller ones seem microscopic at times.  For example, instead of “Read Chapter 5,” try “Read pages 10-20 of Chapter 5,” or something like that. Smaller actions can also give you a sense of completion with what you are getting done, when you mark them complete. Then go ahead and add the next action after that to your list—perhaps with slightly different language to keep it visually fresh and appealing.
—Kelly

Kelly Forrister is a Senior Coach & Presenter with the David Allen Company.

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We’ve just added some new GTD webinars to our June/July schedule. These 60–75 minute presentations are an ideal way to learn GTD skills, in an engaging and interactive virtual format.

GTD & OmniFocus® — June 5
Keys to Getting Things Done — June 6
Guided GTD Mind Sweep — June 13
Guided GTD Weekly Review — June 27
GTD & iPhone® — July 11
Keys to Getting Things Done — July 18
GTD & Outlook® — July 25

We invite you to join us online for the next step in your GTD journey.  Learn more or register now.

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Our one-day GTD® Mastering Workflow seminar is packed with practical recommendations and examples about how to put GTD to work for you—at work, at home, and in everything you do. Here is our latest summer schedule:

• Washington, DC — June 5
• Newport Beach, CA — June 27
• Austin, TX — June 27
• Portland, OR — July 16
• Tampa, FL — July 18
• Columbus, OH — July 25

Learn more or register now.

Where else would you like to see a GTD public seminar? Please let us know in the comments.

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Join David Allen and Senior Coach Meg Edwards for a GTD Connect webinar about “Customizing Your GTD System.” They’ll talk about what you can customize without affecting the integrity of the GTD methodology, signs you’ve over- or under-customized, and creative ways to make your GTD system more your own. No matter where you are in your journey with GTD—just getting a system off the ground or looking for fine-tuning to optimize your workflow—this webinar will give you helpful coaching about ways you can customize your system to work better for you, including your tools, contexts, projects, and the Weekly Review.

Open to all monthly and annual GTD Connect members. Tuesday, May 14, 10am—11am PT.

Not a member? Join for $48 and get this webinar and the wealth of content on GTD Connect for 30 days.

(Please note: live webinars like this one with David, podcasts, and public seminar special rates are not available for free guest pass members.)

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In my experience, the greatest successes don’t come from grandiose scenarios of good intentions engendered by temporarily pumped-up motivation. Rather, the most lasting and significant positive effects result from small things, done consistently, in strategic places.—David Allen

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David Allen did a live Q&A with Fast Company today.  Click here to see the questions that were submitted, along with David’s answers.  From runway to projects to goals, there are plenty of examples of how people like you are applying GTD in their lives.

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David Allen will be doing a live Q&A with Fast Company.

GTD! Q&A With “Getting Things Done” Author David Allen Live

Join Fast Company as we chat with the popular productivity expert.

Join Fast Company on Tuesday, November 20th at 3pm ET for a live Q&A with David Allen, author of Getting Things Done.

Click here at 3pm ET on November 20th.

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Ever feel like your email processing would be better if your coworkers just sent better emails? David Allen Company is offering a 30-minute Express webinar on this very topic. You’ll hear advice from one of their senior GTD coaches about the best practices for email communications with others—including when to use email, using To vs: Cc, writing effective subject lines, creating agreements about response times, and more.   Get tips you can bring back to your teams for more productive email communication.

Tuesday, November 27th from 10am-10:30am. Open to all GTD Connect members. Not a member? Try a free, two-week guest pass, which makes you eligible to sign up for this webinar. Look for the registration link on the home page after after logging in.

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David Allen describes the profound operational principle of knowledge work as:
You have to think about your stuff more than you realize but not as much as you’re afraid you might.

Asked to expand on that, here is David’s reply:
It actually comes from my experience that most people are avoiding thinking about their “stuff” appropriately – i.e. clarifying what it means to them and what they intend to do about it. It only takes a few seconds to decide if something is actionable, and if so, what the next action is. But people avoid that decision like the plague. They think if they think at all about it, there’s way too much to think about…so they don’t think at all! And then it’s hung up like a psychic albatross around their neck.

Hope that helps,
David

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