Comments on: Keeping the Runway Clear

By: Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:53:50 +0000

My take on purpose vs. vision is that purpose is “why,” and vision is “what does that look like when it’s functioning best?”

For example:

purpose: I love to serve others
vision: I give of my time in ways that bring joy to others and myself

purpose: I am married so I can enjoy the company of my wife and serve her
vision: I daily provide comfort and blessings to my wife, and she is my partner in every major area of my life

I’m not sure I’ve “got it,” but breaking those two up like that has shed some light on why I do what I do.

By: Lynn O'Connor

Lynn O'Connor — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:44:43 +0000

As a writer, I have never found that a clear desk, or room, has any impact whatsoever. I recently finished a chapter to be published in an academic book. I angsted over it for months, really for almost a year. I had piles of literature to skim and reference, piles becoming boxes scattered around. And then, bang, without rhyme or reason, I started writing. I worked for days, and most of the time I was in that wonderful state of flow, oblivious to anything that might be considered a potential distractor. It is usually like this. When I move into my most productive, prolific, moments, the needed organization is in my mind. I think what this means is that I am writing non-consciously, long before I am in fact writing, so when I finally sit down and focus, giving myself that green light “GO,” a great deal is already written and spills out easily. Using GTD, always running in the background, allows me to worry less about what I am not doing. When I’m finished writing I am able to easily pick up the pieces. My main point here is that the physical environment, the order or disorder around me, seems to be entirely disconnected from my ability to work effectively. I literally block things out of my line of vision, I don’t even register “disorder” when I am really working.

Interesting how we are all wired so uniquely, what is soothing to one person’s brain differs from what is soothing to someone else. Even our tastes in music, what instrument we love to hear, is part of what we call individual differences. Sam Gosling wrote a terrific new book “Snoop” about personality and personality differences. I recommend it.

By: Harold Zimmer

Harold Zimmer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:41:44 +0000

I agree with the “Runway Concept” I’ve been applying the GTD principles for two + years and I must say GTD has keep me focused on what really matters. I like the idea of “Keeping the Runway Clear”. The GTD software has been a blessing, prior to reading the book and adding GTD to Outlook I feel in control of the moment and future. Sharing personal experiences helps to reinforce these principles. If you’ve never tried the software add-in for Outlook, you are really missing out on an excellent time management tool.

By: Tom S.

Tom S. — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:38:55 +0000

What’s the difference between Purpose and Vision?