I’ve been using GTD process for the past 10 years. I have also been learning about The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path (NEP) for roughly 10 years. I noticed several conceptual similarities, differences and synergies between the NEP (i.e. Right Understanding, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration, and Right Meditation) and GTD framework (i.e. Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, Engage).

Here is my reflection (i.e. noticing what I noticed) about these two frameworks:

1. Right Understanding (NEP) vs. Clarify (GTD):
• Similarity: Both involve gaining an accurate understanding of the situation. In NEP, this means understanding the nature of suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation. In GTD, this means understanding what a task involves and what needs to be done.
• Difference: NEP’s Right Understanding is more philosophical and existential, while GTD’s Clarify is more task-oriented.
• Synergy: Both emphasize the importance of clear understanding before proceeding to action.

2. Right Intent (NEP) vs. Reflect (GTD):
• Similarity: Both deal with setting intentions. In NEP, this means developing intentions that align with ethical behavior, renunciation, and loving-kindness. In GTD, Reflect involves reviewing one’s commitments and setting intentions about what tasks to tackle next.
• Difference: NEP’s Right Intent involves ethical and spiritual dimensions, while GTD’s Reflect is more about time management and prioritization.
• Synergy: Both focus on the importance of conscious intention in determining the direction of one’s efforts.

3. Right Speech (NEP) vs. No direct GTD counterpart:
• NEP’s Right Speech, which involves speaking truthfully, kindly, and helpfully, doesn’t have a direct GTD counterpart. However, good communication can facilitate GTD’s process by ensuring clear understanding of tasks.

4. Right Action (NEP) vs. Engage (GTD):
• Similarity: Both involve taking action. NEP’s Right Action is about acting in ways that are morally and ethically sound. GTD’s Engage is about taking action on the tasks that have been captured, clarified, organized, and reflected upon.
• Difference: NEP’s Right Action includes an ethical dimension, while GTD’s Engage is about executing tasks effectively.
• Synergy: Both systems acknowledge the crucial role of taking appropriate action in achieving desired outcomes.

5. Right Livelihood (NEP) vs. No direct GTD counterpart:
• NEP’s Right Livelihood, which calls for choosing a profession that does not harm oneself or others, doesn’t have a direct counterpart in GTD. GTD is more focused on productivity in whatever profession one is in, rather than the ethical implications of the profession itself.

6. Right Effort (NEP) vs. Overall philosophy of GTD:
• Similarity: Both emphasize the importance of applying consistent effort. NEP’s Right Effort involves diligently working to maintain positive mental states and eliminate negative ones. GTD also requires consistent effort in managing and executing tasks.
• Difference: NEP’s Right Effort is more about mental cultivation, while GTD’s emphasis is on task completion.
• Synergy: Both appreciate the role of persistent effort in achieving one’s goals.

7. Right Mindfulness (NEP) vs. Reflect (GTD):
• Similarity: Both involve maintaining awareness of one’s current situation. NEP’s Right Mindfulness involves being fully aware and present in one’s current actions. In GTD, Reflect means reviewing one’s commitments and tasks regularly.
• Difference: NEP’s Right Mindfulness has a broader and more existential perspective, while GTD’s Reflect is about task and commitment review.
• Synergy: Both emphasize the importance of regular reflection and awareness.

8. Right Concentration (NEP) vs. Part of Engage (GTD):
• Similarity: Both involve focusing one’s mental energy. NEP’s Right Concentration is about developing the mental focus necessary for deep meditation. In GTD, a certain level of concentration is needed to effectively engage with tasks.
• Difference: NEP’s Right Concentration involves a spiritual practice of meditation, while the concentration in GTD is task-oriented.
• Synergy: Both value the ability to focus as a key aspect of successful practice.

Overall, while the NEP and GTD have different overall goals (spiritual liberation vs. productivity and stress reduction), they share a number of similar principles, such as the importance of understanding, intention, action, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. The main differences lie in the scope (existential vs. task-oriented) and in areas like speech and livelihood, which are addressed in the NEP but not directly in GTD. Despite these differences, the two systems could potentially complement each other, with the NEP providing a broader existential and ethical framework, and GTD providing a concrete system for managing day-to-day tasks.

Also, David’s underlying theme is “moving from Chaos to Calm”. I think a strong connections exists between a chaotic state of mind and the Buddhist concept of Dukkha (suffering or dissatisfaction).

And that’s that!

Nice blog