A new GTD’er asked: Once collected, how do you learn to trust the integrity of the system and not spend a lot of time trying to remember whether you put something down? David Allen’s reply: Trust comes with consistent use. The Weekly Review, plus reviewing the appropriate action lists when you have any time that …
Category Archives: David Allen
Embracing Your Perfectionism
Q: Do you have any pointers for perfectionists? David Allen: Just focus on doing the next action perfectly, which is a lot easier than trying to be perfect about how you approach something bigger. Be as retentive as you want. The only problem is when it stops action. Be a perfectionist about the process, which …
Paying attention to the things that get in our way…
GTD simply emerged after paying attention to the things that get in our way… Mr. Allen. I am writing to pay a special tribute to my Grandfather – who passed away last week at the age of 94. He led a good, long life and was successful in many things. He was the first President …
Continue reading “Paying attention to the things that get in our way…”
Put your office on the same path with GTD
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your co-workers? Out of ideas on what to get the boss who has everything? Still hoping your co-workers would just “get” GTD and make your life easier? Buy them the new GTD Workflow Map! We have a new “office bundle” that includes one large Workflow poster, one small …
Continue reading “Put your office on the same path with GTD”
Finding Your Motivation
In David Allen’s latest Productive Living newsletter, he wrote about the tricky business of motivation. Here’s more sage advice from David on that topic… Q: How does one get motivated to do these things? Yes, I can put pressure on myself; know that I SHOULD do them, but there is pain and suffering that takes …
David's tip for traveling with batteries
David Allen shares a tip in the category of what he calls “dumb-dorky-things-to-do-that-work.” Rubber band your charged ones I’ve been slightly bugged for years in places like hotel rooms, looking the next morning at my unpacked stuff, wondering which batteries I had run down and which ones were still charged. I finally found a solution …
When do most people feel best about their work?
“When do most people feel best about their work? Just before a yearly vacation. They think it’s because of their upcoming vacation. I disagree. It’s because in order to take that vacation they’ve cleaned up, clarified, organized, reviewed, and renegotiated all of their agreements with themselves and others. They’re highly motivated to be able to …
Continue reading “When do most people feel best about their work?”
David Allen presents for ASTD
ASTD is hosting a free Webinar with David Allen next Wednesday for its members. Visit ASTD site to learn more.
Be your own post office
A longtime stalwart of David Allen’s personal GTD setup is his Tickler File System. This 43-folder system is like having your own post office to mail things back for your attention and awareness–exactly when you need to see them again. “The Tickler File demands only one-second-per-day new behavior to make it work, and it has …
When email becomes a two-headed monster
Q: I think email is becoming a two-headed monster. It is vital but more and more people ignore them, don’t read fully etc. How can we move forward with accomplishing goals in this environment? Are there ideas you can offer regarding effective corporate communications and task handoffs? David Allen’s answer: Essentially email is no different …
Getting Started with GTD
Check out this 5 minute podcast from David Allen on what he suggests for getting started with GTD. If you’re not yet a subscriber to our free podcast series, here’s how to get started.
Why it's important to keep your system current
No matter how consistent the system is, if it is not current (i.e. completely up to date with all items in a category) it still can’t be trusted in a way that relieves the psyche of the job of remembering and sorting. You’ll look at a list and some part of you knows it’s not …
Continue reading “Why it's important to keep your system current”
Save some bucks on postage
The new GTD Workflow Map + DVD now also comes in a folded version, which is packaged in a flat-rate envelope, which makes international shipping much more economical. You can also still get the rolled version, that ships in a tube, if you prefer that. What’s different about this map versus the diagram that’s in …
A vast majority of professionals are in “emergency scanning” mode
David Allen has a regular column on Wired UK these days. One of his recent articles, Focus on the Unimportant, is a great read for those of you who are still looking for more guidance on the priorities piece of GTD. “A vast majority of professionals are in “emergency scanning” mode. Their self-management consists of …
Continue reading “A vast majority of professionals are in “emergency scanning” mode”
How David Allen uses mindmaps
Dean, an architect, wrote to David to ask for detail on using mindmaps in his GTD system. Here’s the whole thread: Hi David, I have enjoyed reading Getting Things Done and Making It All Work. I own an architecture firm in Michigan, and have been implementing your GTD system into my work and life plan. …
David's coaching on dealing with change
A GTD’er wrote to David Allen asking: I am part of the senior management in a company and am responsible for a particular department. With many changes happening in the company such as growth and expansion, in a very short span of time, things happen ad hoc and lot of time gets spent in miscellaneous …
Motorcycle maintenance and the art of the Weekly Review
If you’d like to hear a sample track from the new GTD System CDs, we just posted a great one with David and two of the coaches on the Weekly Review. Listen Now
David's Autobiographical Brain
There are lots of creative mapping tools out there, and PersonalBrain is one that David Allen uses to capture an autobiographical brain of his life. Shelley, an evangelist for TheBrain put together a cool demo of how to look at the corners of your mind… [HTML1] TheBrain also just launched a new hosting service for …
Review of the new GTD System CDs
Avid GTD’er Barb wanted to share her experience and review of the CDs that come with the new GTD System. She wrote: If you’re fairly new or brand new to GTD: This product is definitely for you. It is much easier to understand than reading the book might be because there are stories to explain …
GTD System is now available for international shipping
Many of you were excited about the new GTD System we announced last week. But, our international GTD’ers were disappointed to find out that it could only be shipped to US & Canada. We’re excited to let you know that we’ve aranged to have the GTD System shipped anywhere in the world through a special …
Continue reading “GTD System is now available for international shipping”
