I first read the book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen when it was published in 2001. (Affiliate link: I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase with an affiliate link. Thank you for your support!) Despite enjoying the book and the ideas therein, I didn’t actually implement them. When I began this blog and became aware of some of the blogs available with productivity ideas, I saw that this book has a huge following. So I decided it was time to take another look. Upon review, I see that there are a couple of things that I have difficulty with.
One is the complexity of the methods. While it sounds good in theory to corral and process all your stuff, when the rubber hits the road it makes me tired just to think about it. I think I’ll go lie down for awhile. When I wake up from my nap, I’ll talk about the other thing.
The other thing is the terminology. It just doesn’t speak to me. In the book “How to Get Organized Without Resorting to Arson,” Liz Franklin says “use your own verbs and no one else’s.” People have different work personalities and organizing styles. Some access visually, others are spatial or chronological. Our words should reflect how we access things.
Here are some words that I am more comfortable with:
|
Getting Things Done |
Alternative Terminology |
|
Collection buckets Waiting for Agendas Next actions Someday/maybe |
Organizing tools Pending Discuss Action steps Idea file |
Getting back to complexity:
|
Getting Things Done |
Daily PlanIt |
|
Calendared actions & information “Next Actions” lists A “Projects” list Project support material A “Waiting For” list Reference material A “Someday/Maybe” list |
Calendar Master List Goal and Project Plans Goal and Project Plans Master List Follow-up System Weekly Plan Daily To-Do List Idea file |
You may be thinking now: “Wait a minute…that right side is waaay more complex! But notice that the Daily PlanIt components include goal and project plans. In my view, this is a crucial difference. Since I believe that goals and productivity are like peanut butter and jelly, I make a sandwich that includes both ingredients. For me, it’s clearer to know where to put incoming tasks in this system, and easier to see the big picture.
See also GTD Essentials
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
Daily PlanIt 
Hello!! I just had to say “BRAV0!”
I read GTD two times and I didn’t understand what David Allen is trying to say until you just put it in more familiar terms! I made a notebook with all those sections and contexts. I found it nice to have everything written down on paper, but it makes more sense to me (visually) to have a list of the 5-10 things to accomplish, rather than flip to a “context” list.
I’m going back to Stephanie Winston’s two list system, which I think is really simple & motivating. I like to keep up with new ideas though because it was worth reading GTD to get the easy file system which I have maintained.
Sincerely,
Chrystal
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