Let me begin this summary by reflecting back to 1984, where my journey with the iconic MAC computer began. As I delved into the fascinating world of technology, one of my earliest companions was the revolutionary software, “MacProject.” But it wasn’t just about the software; it was a weekly ritual, a Sunday sanctuary where I dedicated an hour to meticulously organize my list of “to dos.”
In the midst of my organized chaos, my roommate, Irek, couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He saw my unwavering commitment to order as something out of the ordinary, perhaps even excessive. Little did he know, my quest for meticulous planning was a direct response to witnessing the chaos that constantly swirled around him. Irek, with his forgotten car payments, neglected tax filings, and missed doctor’s appointments, always seemed to be one step away from stress-induced implosion.
For me, each day began with a sip of coffee and a steadfast review and update of my to-do list. It wasn’t just a mundane routine; it was my secret to navigating the whirlwind of life. It was a system, a philosophy, and a way of life all rolled into one—something I later discovered was beautifully encapsulated in the concept of “Getting Things Done” (GTD).
But my story doesn’t end there. I’m excited to share with you not only the wisdom of GTD but also a treasure trove of supporting tools that will transform your journey towards productivity and organization. From “to Do” and “Calendar” software to Brainstorming with MindMapping, KanBan, Gnat Charts,…Join me on this very important, as I unveil these invaluable resources on PURECOACH.
“Laziness reduces the degree of life” Immanuel Kant
“Getting Things Done” is a book written by David Allen that presents a system for managing and organizing tasks to achieve greater productivity and reduce stress. Here are seven lessons from the book:
By applying these lessons from “Getting Things Done,” you can improve your productivity, reduce stress, and gain a greater sense of control over your tasks and commitments. The book provides practical strategies and techniques to help you optimize your workflow and accomplish more with clarity and ease.
“Getting Things Done” is a productivity and time management book written by David Allen. The book presents a comprehensive and practical approach to organizing tasks and reducing stress, enabling readers to achieve higher levels of productivity and efficiency. Here are Five key points from the book:
- Capture:
- The first step in the GTD methodology is to capture all your tasks, ideas, commitments, and any information that requires your attention.
- Use a trusted system to gather this information, whether it’s a physical notebook, a digital app, or a combination of both.
- Capture items as soon as they come to mind to avoid mental clutter and prevent things from slipping through the cracks.
- This process ensures that you have a complete inventory of all your responsibilities and commitments.
- Clarify:
- Once you have collected everything in your system, go through each item and clarify its meaning and significance.
- Ask yourself if each item is actionable. If it is not, decide whether to discard it, file it for reference, or keep it in a “Someday/Maybe” list for future consideration.
- For actionable items, determine the very next physical action required to move it forward.
- Breaking tasks down to actionable steps prevents overwhelm and makes it easier to take meaningful action.
- Organize:
- Organize your clarified tasks into appropriate categories based on context, priority, and the resources needed to complete them.
- Common categories include “Next Actions” (tasks you can do immediately), “Waiting For” (tasks that depend on someone else’s action), and “Project Lists” (collections of related tasks).
- Use labels, folders, or tags to keep your tasks and projects neatly organized and easily accessible.
- Review:
- Regularly review your task lists, project lists, and any relevant reference materials to stay on top of your commitments.
- Conduct regular reviews (weekly is recommended) to reassess your priorities and update your task lists accordingly.
- During reviews, add new tasks, mark completed ones, and ensure that all projects are moving forward as intended.
- Regular reviews provide a sense of control and help you stay proactive in managing your workload.
- Engage:
- With a clear and organized system in place, you can confidently engage in your daily work and decision-making processes.
- Use your categorized task lists and contexts to determine which tasks to work on depending on your location, energy level, and available time.
- Continuously refer to your trusted system throughout the day to ensure that nothing is missed and to maintain focus on the task at hand.
- The GTD methodology encourages a “mind like water” approach, where your mind is free from unnecessary clutter and distractions, allowing you to be present and productive.
By following these five key points, you can implement the GTD methodology effectively, leading to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a greater sense of control over your tasks and commitments.
Simply…
1. If you’re waiting to have a good idea before you have any ideas, you won’t have many.”
2. “Often the only way to make a hard decision is to come back to the purpose of what you’re doing.”.
3. If you’re not sure why you’re doing something, you can never do enough of it.”
4. “One of the most powerful life skills and one of the most important to hone and develop for both professional and personal success is creating clear outcomes.”
5. If a project is still on your mind, there’s more thinking required.”
6. “The big secret to efficient creative and productive thinking and action is to put the right things in your focus at the right time.”
7. One of the best tricks for enhancing your productivity is having organizing tools you love to use.”
8. “Until you’ve captured everything that has your attention, some part of you will still not totally trust that you’re working with the whole picture of your world.”
9. You can only feel good about what you’re not doing when you know everything you’re not doing.”
10. “Your best thoughts about work won’t happen while you’re at work.”
Overall, “Getting Things Done” offers a practical and flexible system for managing tasks and priorities, empowering individuals to achieve their goals while maintaining a clear and stress-free mindset.