Getting Things Done

“Anxiety is caused by a lack of control, organization, preparation, and action.” ~ David Kekich 

It took me some time, but I finally got a copy of David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” (hereby referred to in this and future posts as GTD).  Most of the great blogs and articles I read on productivity have mentioned this book so it was high time I bought it, and man does Allen not disappoint!  I am only ashamed I haven’t read this sooner.  You need to buy this book immediately.  Like…now.

For those of you new to GTD, here are some links to get your feet wet before diving into the book:

I have been implementing GTD over the past few weeks in a “piece-meal” sort of way, but not enough to post about my full implementation method (most GTDers have several different “setups”).  Remember, I like to slowly get ready for the big change.  So far, here is what I have embraced:

  1. A pocket notebook to capture my thoughts.  This has been my “Linus Blanket”; I feel naked without it now.  Any thought I have at all goes in this notebook to be processed later in the day.  As I mentioned in my earlier post, I use a Moleskine notebook, but there are other options out there.  Funny enough, capturing my thoughts digitally simply does not work for me.  Love the pencil and paper!
  2. A clean desk and an email system that has me processing my inbox to empty by the end of each day.
Next steps:
  • Gmail to consolidate all of my mail (this will be a huge change for me).
  • GCal (again, I am a paper and pencil guy; I am going to have to be very convinced to switch).
  • Tracks – a software program written specifically for GTD.  I will post about it as soon as I start implementing.

Any of you readers a serious GTDer?  Please comment with any implementations you use.  I will keep you all posted  on my experience as well.

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