Getting Things Done

Connection between GTD and Zettelkasten

In ⚟ Getting Things Done terminology, all notes are Reference Material. GTD doesn’t get into specifics of how to manage that type …

David Allen

Author of ⚟ Getting Things Done…

This consistent, unproductive preoccupation with all the things we have to do is the single largest consumer of time and energy

This consistent, unproductive preoccupation with all the things we have to do is the single largest consumer of time and energy. –…

Having a daily to do list with GTD

Up: § My productivity system In some ways, ⚟ Getting Things Done discourages creating a daily to do list. It certainly has been se…

My Areas of Focus

Up: § My productivity system These are my current Areas of Focus — a ⚟ Getting Things Done concept. They're the stable organizing …

My productivity system

Up: § Notes Index I’ve built a productivity system grounded in ⚟ Getting Things Done and enhanced with Linear Method thinking, aut…

(1) capturing all the things that might need to get done or have usefulness for you—now, later, someday, big, little, or in between—in a logical and

(1) capturing all the things that might need to get done or have usefulness for you—now, later, someday, big, little, or in betwee…

(2) directing yourself to make front-end decisions about all of the “inputs” you let into your life so that you will always have a workable inventor

(2) directing yourself to make front-end decisions about all of the “inputs” you let into your life so that you will always have a…

(3) curating and coordinating all of that content, utilizing the recognition of the multiple levels of commitments with yourself and others you will

(3) curating and coordinating all of that content, utilizing the recognition of the multiple levels of commitments with yourself a…

A discussion of priorities would have to incorporate all of these levels of current agreements between you and others. If you get this professional

A discussion of priorities would have to incorporate all of these levels of current agreements between you and others. If you get …

A great way to think about what your principles are is to complete this sentence- “I would give others totally free rein to do this as long as they

A great way to think about what your principles are is to complete this sentence: “I would give others totally free rein to do thi…

A second real benefit accrues from organizing action reminders by appropriate context- in itself that forces you to make the all-important determina

A second real benefit accrues from organizing action reminders by appropriate context: in itself that forces you to make the all-i…

A signpost of GTD mastery at this stage—and, indeed, life mastery!—is when one recognizes anything that has his or her attention (concerns, worries,

A signpost of GTD mastery at this stage—and, indeed, life mastery!—is when one recognizes anything that has his or her attention (…

A vision without a task is but a dream; a task without a vision is but drudgery; a vision and a task is the hope of the world. —From a church in Sus

A vision without a task is but a dream; a task without a vision is but drudgery; a vision and a task is the hope of the world. —Fr…

After checking your calendar, you’ll most often turn to your Next Action lists. These hold the inventory of predefined actions that you can take if

After checking your calendar, you’ll most often turn to your Next Action lists. These hold the inventory of predefined actions tha…

All of your Projects, active project plans, and Next Actions, Agendas, Waiting For, and even Someday-Maybe lists should be reviewed once a week. Thi

All of your Projects, active project plans, and Next Actions, Agendas, Waiting For, and even Someday/Maybe lists should be reviewe…

An interesting phenomenon I have noticed more than once is that for some highly energetic people, incorporating the Getting Things Done mind-set tur

An interesting phenomenon I have noticed more than once is that for some highly energetic people, incorporating the Getting Things…

Another way to think of this is as a list of open loops, no matter what the size

Another way to think of this is as a list of open loops, no matter what the size. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

Answering the question about what, specifically, you would do about something physically if you had nothing else to do will test the maturity of you

Answering the question about what, specifically, you would do about something physically if you had nothing else to do will test t…

Anything that causes you to overreact or underreact can control you, and often does. Responding inappropriately to your e-mail, your thoughts about

Anything that causes you to overreact or underreact can control you, and often does. Responding inappropriately to your e-mail, yo…

As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. T

As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select …

As you begin to use it habitually as your primary means of addressing all situations—from processing e-mails to buying a house or a company to struc

As you begin to use it habitually as your primary means of addressing all situations—from processing e-mails to buying a house or …

Aside from your calendar, if you don’t have at least fifty next actions and waiting-fors, including all the agendas for people and meetings, I would

Aside from your calendar, if you don’t have at least fifty next actions and waiting-fors, including all the agendas for people and…

At 3-22 on Wednesday, how do you choose what to do At that moment there are four criteria you can apply, in this order- context, time available, en

At 3:22 on Wednesday, how do you choose what to do? At that moment there are four criteria you can apply, in this order: context, …

At any point in time, the first thing to consider is, what could you possibly do, where you are, with the tools you have Do you have a phone Do yo

At any point in time, the first thing to consider is, what could you possibly do, where you are, with the tools you have? Do you h…

At the very least, right now or as soon as possible, take those few of your projects that you have the most attention on or interest in right now an

At the very least, right now or as soon as possible, take those few of your projects that you have the most attention on or intere…

Be open to creating any kind of checklist as the urge strikes you. The possibilities are endless—from “Core Life Values” to “Things to Take Camping”

Be open to creating any kind of checklist as the urge strikes you. The possibilities are endless—from “Core Life Values” to “Thing…

Blockage in the flow of anything undermines the ability to be present, fresh, and creative in that arena

Blockage in the flow of anything undermines the ability to be present, fresh, and creative in that arena. – David Allen in ⚟ Getti…

Both e-mail and meetings are critical to organizational life, but too often they fall into the category of necessary evils, primarily because there

Both e-mail and meetings are critical to organizational life, but too often they fall into the category of necessary evils, primar…

Brainstorming Some of the projects that have your attention right now will require you to do your own free-form thinking; this is especially true of

Brainstorming Some of the projects that have your attention right now will require you to do your own free-form thinking; this is …

By this point you’ve probably noticed that Getting Things Done is not some new technology or invention—it simply makes explicit the principles at wo

By this point you’ve probably noticed that Getting Things Done is not some new technology or invention—it simply makes explicit th…

Complete the projects you begin, fulfill the commitments you have made, live up to your promises—then both your subconscious and conscious selves ca

Complete the projects you begin, fulfill the commitments you have made, live up to your promises—then both your subconscious and c…

Defining Your Work Defining your work entails clearing up your in-tray, your digital messages, and your meeting notes, and breaking down new project

Defining Your Work Defining your work entails clearing up your in-tray, your digital messages, and your meeting notes, and breakin…

Defining specific projects and next actions that address real quality-of-life issues is productivity at its best

Defining specific projects and next actions that address real quality-of-life issues is productivity at its best. – David Allen in…

Defining what real doing looks like on the most basic level and organizing placeholder reminders that we can trust are master keys to productivity e

Defining what real doing looks like on the most basic level and organizing placeholder reminders that we can trust are master keys…

Delegated Projects If you’re a senior manager or executive, you probably have several projects that you are directly responsible for but have handed

Delegated Projects If you’re a senior manager or executive, you probably have several projects that you are directly responsible f…

Demonstrating integrity in managing internal and external agreements optimizes all of your relationships

Demonstrating integrity in managing internal and external agreements optimizes all of your relationships. – David Allen in ⚟ Getti…

Developing comfort with an external mind frees up and leverages one’s cognitive abilities, paving the way for many more creative and productive uses

Developing comfort with an external mind frees up and leverages one’s cognitive abilities, paving the way for many more creative a…

Does anything need improving in terms of your personal or business expense reporting, banking or investing processes, or how you keep in touch with

Does anything need improving in terms of your personal or business expense reporting, banking or investing processes, or how you k…

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps. —David L. George

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps. —David L. George – David Allen…

Emptying the contents does not mean that you have to finish what’s there; it just means that you have to decide more specifically what it is and wha

Emptying the contents does not mean that you have to finish what’s there; it just means that you have to decide more specifically …

Energy Available How much energy do you have Some actions you have to do require a reservoir of fresh, creative mental energy. Others need more phy

Energy Available How much energy do you have? Some actions you have to do require a reservoir of fresh, creative mental energy. Ot…

Every decision to act is an intuitive one. The challenge is to migrate from hoping it’s the right choice to trusting it’s the right choice

Every decision to act is an intuitive one. The challenge is to migrate from hoping it’s the right choice to trusting it’s the righ…

Every person I have worked with in the past thirty years has uncovered at least two or three important gaps at this level of discussion. For instanc

Every person I have worked with in the past thirty years has uncovered at least two or three important gaps at this level of discu…

Everything in life worth achieving requires practice. In fact, life itself is nothing more than one long practice session, an endless effort of refi

Everything in life worth achieving requires practice. In fact, life itself is nothing more than one long practice session, an endl…

Everything on your lists and in your stacks is either attractive or repulsive to you—there’s no neutral ground when it comes to your stuff

Everything on your lists and in your stacks is either attractive or repulsive to you—there’s no neutral ground when it comes to yo…

Everything that might require action must be reviewed on a frequent enough basis to keep your mind from taking back the job of remembering and remin

Everything that might require action must be reviewed on a frequent enough basis to keep your mind from taking back the job of rem…

For all of us, there are situations and circumstances that emerge that bother, interest, or distract us, but with which it is not immediately obviou

For all of us, there are situations and circumstances that emerge that bother, interest, or distract us, but with which it is not …

I am frequently asked to facilitate meetings. I’ve learned the hard way that no matter where we are in the conversation, twenty minutes before the a

I am frequently asked to facilitate meetings. I’ve learned the hard way that no matter where we are in the conversation, twenty mi…

I am often asked, “How can this methodology improve an organization” In fact, all the principles I’ve put forward are as applicable to an enterpris

I am often asked, “How can this methodology improve an organization?” In fact, all the principles I’ve put forward are as applicab…

I define a project as any desired result that can be accomplished within a year that requires more than one action step. This means that some rather

I define a project as any desired result that can be accomplished within a year that requires more than one action step. This mean…

I define a project as any desired result that can be accomplished within a year that requires more than one action step

I define a project as any desired result that can be accomplished within a year that requires more than one action step. This mean…

I don’t recommend using after-hours for this work. It usually means seriously reduced horsepower and a big tendency to get caught up in “rabbit trai

I don’t recommend using after-hours for this work. It usually means seriously reduced horsepower and a big tendency to get caught …

I especially notice this when I walk around organizations where in-trays are either nonexistent or overflowing and obviously long unprocessed. These

I especially notice this when I walk around organizations where in-trays are either nonexistent or overflowing and obviously long …

I have discovered over the years the practical value of working on personal productivity improvement from the bottom up, starting with the most mund

I have discovered over the years the practical value of working on personal productivity improvement from the bottom up, starting …

I have had several sophisticated senior executives tell me that installing “What’s the next action” as an operational standard in their organizatio

I have had several sophisticated senior executives tell me that installing “What’s the next action?” as an operational standard in…

I have learned over the years that the most important thing to deal with is whatever is most on your mind

I have learned over the years that the most important thing to deal with is whatever is most on your mind. – David Allen in ⚟ Gett…

I have noticed this for years. Good people who haven’t incorporated these behaviors come into my environment, and they stick out like a sore thumb

I have noticed this for years. Good people who haven’t incorporated these behaviors come into my environment, and they stick out l…

I hope I have described a way to relate to our knowledge-based world that provides room for everyone to have a lot more to do than he or she can do

I hope I have described a way to relate to our knowledge-based world that provides room for everyone to have a lot more to do than…

I recommend that you always keep an inventory of things that need to be done that require very little mental or creative horsepower. When you’re in

I recommend that you always keep an inventory of things that need to be done that require very little mental or creative horsepowe…

IT’S POSSIBLE FOR a person to have an overwhelming number of things to do and still function productively with a clear head and a positive sense of relaxed control

IT’S POSSIBLE FOR a person to have an overwhelming number of things to do and still function productively with a clear head and a …

IT’S POSSIBLE FOR a person to have an overwhelming number of things to do and still function productively with a clear head and a positive sense of

IT’S POSSIBLE FOR a person to have an overwhelming number of things to do and still function productively with a clear head and a …

If you are a novice to this process, these details and distinctions may seem unnecessary or overwhelming. Just keep in mind that when you actually i

If you are a novice to this process, these details and distinctions may seem unnecessary or overwhelming. Just keep in mind that w…

If you are that rare person who has only twenty-five next actions, a single Next Actions list might suffice. It could include items as diverse as “B

If you are that rare person who has only twenty-five next actions, a single Next Actions list might suffice. It could include item…

If you happen to have a lifestyle that seldom has more than one screenful of un-dealt-with e-mails at any one time, simply keeping them there as a r

If you happen to have a lifestyle that seldom has more than one screenful of un-dealt-with e-mails at any one time, simply keeping…

If you have only twenty or thirty of these, it may be fine to keep them all on one list labeled “Next Actions,” which you’ll review whenever you hav

If you have only twenty or thirty of these, it may be fine to keep them all on one list labeled “Next Actions,” which you’ll revie…

If you have professional goals, company objectives, and strategic plans, have you identified all the projects that they should engender for you, so

If you have professional goals, company objectives, and strategic plans, have you identified all the projects that they should eng…

If you have too many collection zones, however, you won’t be able to process them easily or consistently

If you have too many collection zones, however, you won’t be able to process them easily or consistently. – David Allen in ⚟ Getti…

If you’re involved in anything that has a future of longer than a year (marriage, kids, career, a company, an art form, a lifelong passion), you wou

If you’re involved in anything that has a future of longer than a year (marriage, kids, career, a company, an art form, a lifelong…

In addition, if you find it useful, you may want to maintain information about their birthdays, names of family members, hobbies, interests, etc. In

In addition, if you find it useful, you may want to maintain information about their birthdays, names of family members, hobbies, …

In my experience, anything that is held only in your head will take up either more or less attention than it deserves. The reason to collect everyth

In my experience, anything that is held only in your head will take up either more or less attention than it deserves. The reason …

In order to hang out with friends or take a long, aimless walk and truly have nothing on your mind, you’ve got to know where all your actionable ite

In order to hang out with friends or take a long, aimless walk and truly have nothing on your mind, you’ve got to know where all y…

In the real world, you probably won’t be able to keep your stuff 100 percent collected all the time. If you’re like most people, you’ll move too fas

In the real world, you probably won’t be able to keep your stuff 100 percent collected all the time. If you’re like most people, y…

In training and coaching many thousands of people, I have found that lack of time is not the major issue for them (though they may think it is); the

In training and coaching many thousands of people, I have found that lack of time is not the major issue for them (though they may…

Is there too much complaining in your culture The next time someone moans about something, try asking, “So what’s the next action” People will com

Is there too much complaining in your culture? The next time someone moans about something, try asking, “So what’s the next action…

It’s important that you record the date on everything that you hand off to others. This, of all the categories in your personal system, is the most

It’s important that you record the date on everything that you hand off to others. This, of all the categories in your personal sy…

It’s the irony of professional development—the better you get, the better you’d better get

It’s the irony of professional development—the better you get, the better you’d better get. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

Keep everything in your head or out of your head. If it’s in between, you won’t trust either one

Keep everything in your head or out of your head. If it’s in between, you won’t trust either one. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Thing…

Let’s examine the three requirements to make the capturing phase work- 1 - Every open loop must be in your capture system and out of your head. 2 -

Let’s examine the three requirements to make the capturing phase work: 1 | Every open loop must be in your capture system and out …

Little seems clear for very long anymore, as far as what to do at the office, at home, on the plane, in the car, and at the local café—on the weeken

Little seems clear for very long anymore, as far as what to do at the office, at home, on the plane, in the car, and at the local …

Maintaining an objective and complete inventory of your work, regularly reviewed, makes it much easier to say no with integrity

Maintaining an objective and complete inventory of your work, regularly reviewed, makes it much easier to say no with integrity. –…

Many executives I have worked with during the day to clear the decks of their mundane stuff have spent the evening having a stream of ideas and visi

Many executives I have worked with during the day to clear the decks of their mundane stuff have spent the evening having a stream…

Most people feel best about their work the week before they go on vacation, but it’s not because of the vacation itself. What do you do the last wee

Most people feel best about their work the week before they go on vacation, but it’s not because of the vacation itself. What do y…

Most people have a resistance to initiating the burst of energy that it will take to clarify the real meaning, for them, of something they have let

Most people have a resistance to initiating the burst of energy that it will take to clarify the real meaning, for them, of someth…

Most people, however, do that kind of list-making drill only when the confusion gets too unbearable and they just have to do something about it. The

Most people, however, do that kind of list-making drill only when the confusion gets too unbearable and they just have to do somet…

Neutral is a state where you are not jumping ahead too quickly or moving too slow. Neutral does not mean being inactive, complacent, or passive. It’

Neutral is a state where you are not jumping ahead too quickly or moving too slow. Neutral does not mean being inactive, complacen…

No external tool or organizing format is going to be perfect for sorting both horizontally across and vertically down through all your projects; you

No external tool or organizing format is going to be perfect for sorting both horizontally across and vertically down through all …

No matter how big and tough a problem may be, get rid of confusion by taking one little step toward solution. Do something. —George F. Nordenholt

No matter how big and tough a problem may be, get rid of confusion by taking one little step toward solution. Do something. —Georg…

One Alpha System I have one A–Z alphabetical physical filing system for general reference, not multiple ones. My e-mail reference folders are also o

One Alpha System I have one A–Z alphabetical physical filing system for general reference, not multiple ones. My e-mail reference …

One day he just started picking up each individual piece of paper on an executive’s desk and forcing him to decide what the very next thing was that

One day he just started picking up each individual piece of paper on an executive’s desk and forcing him to decide what the very n…

One of the greatest challenges you may encounter is that once you have gotten used to “What’s the next action” for yourself and those around you, i

One of the greatest challenges you may encounter is that once you have gotten used to “What’s the next action?” for yourself and t…

One of your better weekends may be spent just finishing up a lot of little errands and tasks that have accumulated around your house and in your per

One of your better weekends may be spent just finishing up a lot of little errands and tasks that have accumulated around your hou…

Organizations are now almost universally in morph mode, with ever-changing goals, products, partners, customers, markets, technologies, and owners

Organizations are now almost universally in morph mode, with ever-changing goals, products, partners, customers, markets, technolo…

Organizations must create a culture in which it is acceptable that everyone has more to do than he or she can do, and in which it is sage to renegot

Organizations must create a culture in which it is acceptable that everyone has more to do than he or she can do, and in which it …

Over many years I have discovered that the best way to be reminded of an “as soon as I can” action is by the particular context required for that ac

Over many years I have discovered that the best way to be reminded of an “as soon as I can” action is by the particular context re…

Productivity will improve only when individuals increase their operational responsiveness. And in knowledge work, that means clarifying actions on t

Productivity will improve only when individuals increase their operational responsiveness. And in knowledge work, that means clari…

Project Support Material For many of your projects, you will accumulate relevant information that you will want to organize by theme or topic or pro

Project Support Material For many of your projects, you will accumulate relevant information that you will want to organize by the…

Projects seldom show up in nice, neat packages. Small things often slip unexpectedly into bigger things

Projects seldom show up in nice, neat packages. Small things often slip unexpectedly into bigger things. – David Allen in ⚟ Gettin…

Right now you probably have between thirty and a hundred projects

Right now you probably have between thirty and a hundred projects. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

Setting Up Meetings Often the next progress to be made on project thinking is to set up a meeting with the people you’d like to have involved in the

Setting Up Meetings Often the next progress to be made on project thinking is to set up a meeting with the people you’d like to ha…

So when do you think most people really make a lot of their next-action decisions about their stuff—when it shows up, or when it blows up And do yo

So when do you think most people really make a lot of their next-action decisions about their stuff—when it shows up, or when it b…

Some people like to sort their projects by major areas of focus—parents tracking those about their children, an entrepreneur dividing projects by th

Some people like to sort their projects by major areas of focus—parents tracking those about their children, an entrepreneur divid…

Teaching them the item-by-item thinking required to get their collection containers empty is perhaps the most critical improvement I have made for v

Teaching them the item-by-item thinking required to get their collection containers empty is perhaps the most critical improvement…

That said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with creating a quick, informal, short list of “if I have time, I’d really like to . . .” kinds of thing

That said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with creating a quick, informal, short list of “if I have time, I’d really like to . .…

The Weekly Review is the time to- Gather and process all your stuff. Review your system. Update your lists. Get clean, clear, current, and complete

The Weekly Review is the time to: Gather and process all your stuff. Review your system. Update your lists. Get clean, clear, curr…

The book is also written with an understanding that life consists of cycles. Things go better, and then get worse. At some points we fall behind; at

The book is also written with an understanding that life consists of cycles. Things go better, and then get worse. At some points …

The bottom line is that when you use your memory as your organizing system (as most everyone on the planet still does, for most of what they’re doin

The bottom line is that when you use your memory as your organizing system (as most everyone on the planet still does, for most of…

The challenge is to marry high-level idealistic focus to the mundane activity of life. In the end they require the same thinking

The challenge is to marry high-level idealistic focus to the mundane activity of life. In the end they require the same thinking. …

The challenge will continually be to apply the two essential elements of this art- defining what done means and what doing looks like. This is not a

The challenge will continually be to apply the two essential elements of this art: defining what done means and what doing looks l…

The final success factor for capturing should be obvious- if you don’t empty and process the stuff you’ve collected, your tools aren’t serving any f

The final success factor for capturing should be obvious: if you don’t empty and process the stuff you’ve collected, your tools ar…

The good news is that when your operational behavior is grooved to engage with everything that comes your way, at all levels, based upon those dynam

The good news is that when your operational behavior is grooved to engage with everything that comes your way, at all levels, base…

The hallmarks of this next level of maturity with Getting Things Done are- a complete, current, and clear inventory of projects; a working map of on

The hallmarks of this next level of maturity with Getting Things Done are: a complete, current, and clear inventory of projects; a…

The operational purpose of the Areas of Focus list is to ensure that you have all your projects and next actions defined, so you can manage your res

The operational purpose of the Areas of Focus list is to ensure that you have all your projects and next actions defined, so you c…

The problem most people have psychologically with all their stuff is that it’s still stuff—that is, they haven’t decided what’s actionable and what’

The problem most people have psychologically with all their stuff is that it’s still stuff—that is, they haven’t decided what’s ac…

The way I look at it, the calendar should be sacred territory. If you write something there, it must get done that day or not at all. The only rewri

The way I look at it, the calendar should be sacred territory. If you write something there, it must get done that day or not at a…

The way I look at it, the calendar should be sacred territory. If you write something there, it must get done that day or not at all

The way I look at it, the calendar should be sacred territory. If you write something there, it must get done that day or not at a…

There are lots of inspirational sources for the high-level “purpose, values, vision” kind of thinking, and many more mundane tools for getting hold

There are lots of inspirational sources for the high-level “purpose, values, vision” kind of thinking, and many more mundane tools…

There is always more to do than you can do, and you can do only one thing at a time. The key is to feel as good about what you’re not doing as about

There is always more to do than you can do, and you can do only one thing at a time. The key is to feel as good about what you’re …

There is no reason not to be highly productive, even when you’re not in top form

There is no reason not to be highly productive, even when you’re not in top form. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

There is no “right” way to structure your Next Actions lists—only what works best for you, and that part of your system will likely change as your l

There is no “right” way to structure your Next Actions lists—only what works best for you, and that part of your system will likel…

There’s another issue here, however. How would you feel if your list and your stack were totally—and successfully—completed You’d probably be bounc

There’s another issue here, however. How would you feel if your list and your stack were totally—and successfully—completed? You’d…

There’s plenty of talk in the big meetings that sounds good, but learning to ask, “Why are we doing this” and “What will it look like when it’s don

There’s plenty of talk in the big meetings that sounds good, but learning to ask, “Why are we doing this?” and “What will it look …

These first three criteria for choosing action (context, time, and energy) bespeak the need for a complete next-action reminder system. Much of the

These first three criteria for choosing action (context, time, and energy) bespeak the need for a complete next-action reminder sy…

This consistent, unproductive preoccupation with all the things we have to do is the single largest consumer of time and energy. —Kerry Gleeson

This consistent, unproductive preoccupation with all the things we have to do is the single largest consumer of time and energy. —…

This is where you need to access your intuition and begin to rely on your judgment call in the moment. To explore that concept further, let’s examin

This is where you need to access your intuition and begin to rely on your judgment call in the moment. To explore that concept fur…

Three things go on your calendar- time-specific actions; day-specific actions; and day-specific information

Three things go on your calendar: time-specific actions; day-specific actions; and day-specific information – David Allen in ⚟ Get…

Time Available When do you have to do something else Having a meeting in five minutes would prevent doing any actions that require more time

Time Available When do you have to do something else? Having a meeting in five minutes would prevent doing any actions that requir…

Trying to keep a list on the calendar, which must then be reentered on another day if items don’t get done, is demoralizing and a waste of time

constant new input and shifting tactical priorities reconfigure daily work so consistently that it’s virtually impossible to nail …

Typical Partial Someday-Maybe List

Typical Partial Someday/Maybe List – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

Unfortunately, you can’t legislate personal systems. Everyone must have his or her own way to deal with what he or she has to deal with. You can, ho

Unfortunately, you can’t legislate personal systems. Everyone must have his or her own way to deal with what he or she has to deal…

Until those thoughts have been clarified and those decisions made, and the resulting data has been stored in a system that you absolutely know you w

Until those thoughts have been clarified and those decisions made, and the resulting data has been stored in a system that you abs…

Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs. —Václav Havel

Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs. —Václa…

We are all already powerful, but deciding on and effectively managing the physical actions required to move things forward seems to exercise that po

We are all already powerful, but deciding on and effectively managing the physical actions required to move things forward seems t…

We can never really be prepared for that which is wholly new. We have to adjust ourselves, and every radical adjustment is a crisis in self-esteem;

We can never really be prepared for that which is wholly new. We have to adjust ourselves, and every radical adjustment is a crisi…

What you’re doing is exactly what you ought to be doing, given the whole spectrum of your commitments and interests. You’re fully available. You’re

What you’re doing is exactly what you ought to be doing, given the whole spectrum of your commitments and interests. You’re fully …

When a culture adopts “What’s the next action” as a standard operating query, there’s an automatic increase in energy, productivity, clarity, and f

When a culture adopts “What’s the next action?” as a standard operating query, there’s an automatic increase in energy, productivi…

When is a problem a project Always. When you assess something as a problem instead of as something to simply be accepted as the way things are, you

When is a problem a project? Always. When you assess something as a problem instead of as something to simply be accepted as the w…

When people with whom you interact notice that without fail you receive, process, and organize in an airtight manner the exchanges and agreements th

When people with whom you interact notice that without fail you receive, process, and organize in an airtight manner the exchanges…

When you demonstrate to yourself and to others an increasing ability to get things done “in the trenches,” you probably won’t stay in the same trenc

When you demonstrate to yourself and to others an increasing ability to get things done “in the trenches,” you probably won’t stay…

When you start to make things happen, you begin to believe that you can make things happen. And that makes things happen

When you start to make things happen, you begin to believe that you can make things happen. And that makes things happen. – David …

When you’re getting things done, or “working” in the universal sense, there are three different kinds of activities you can be engaged in- Doing pre

When you’re getting things done, or “working” in the universal sense, there are three different kinds of activities you can be eng…

Why are you getting that e-mail What’s the purpose of that meeting, and why do you have to attend What’s coming up next quarter that you need to s

Why are you getting that e-mail? What’s the purpose of that meeting, and why do you have to attend? What’s coming up next quarter …

You can also plan nonactionable projects and not need a next action—for example, designing your dream house. The lack of a next action by default ma

You can also plan nonactionable projects and not need a next action—for example, designing your dream house. The lack of a next ac…

You can only feel good about what you’re not doing when you know everything you’re not doing

You can only feel good about what you’re not doing when you know everything you’re not doing. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Do…

You need to use your system—not continually have to re-create it

You need to use your system—not continually have to re-create it. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

You need well-organized, discrete systems to handle things that require no action as well as those that do. No-action systems fall into three catego

You need well-organized, discrete systems to handle things that require no action as well as those that do. No-action systems fall…

Your life and work are made up of outcomes and actions that you engage in more or less consciously. Whether they are merely less-than-conscious resp

Your life and work are made up of outcomes and actions that you engage in more or less consciously. Whether they are merely less-t…

Your mind is for having ideas, not for holding them

Your mind is for having ideas, not for holding them. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

You’ll probably have some other types of information that are similar to Someday-Maybe but that probably need a review only when you have an urge to

You’ll probably have some other types of information that are similar to Someday/Maybe but that probably need a review only when y…

You’ve probably made many more agreements with yourself than you realize, and every single one of them—big or little—is being tracked by a less-than-conscious part of you

You’ve probably made many more agreements with yourself than you realize, and every single one of them—big or little—is being trac…

You’ve probably made many more agreements with yourself than you realize, and every single one of them—big or little—is being tracked by a less-than

You’ve probably made many more agreements with yourself than you realize, and every single one of them—big or little—is being trac…

and all those that you are waiting for others to do (put these on a Waiting For list)

and all those that you are waiting for others to do (put these on a Waiting For list). – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

constant new input and shifting tactical priorities reconfigure daily work so consistently that it’s virtually impossible to nail down to-do items a

constant new input and shifting tactical priorities reconfigure daily work so consistently that it’s virtually impossible to nail …

if it’s on your mind, your mind isn’t clear

if it’s on your mind, your mind isn’t clear. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

if there’s something on a daily to-do list that doesn’t absolutely have to get done that day, it will dilute the emphasis on the things that truly d

if there’s something on a daily to-do list that doesn’t absolutely have to get done that day, it will dilute the emphasis on the t…

in order to afford the luxury of “getting on a roll” with confidence, you’ll probably need to clean house and refresh the contents once a week

in order to afford the luxury of “getting on a roll” with confidence, you’ll probably need to clean house and refresh the contents…

instead of being upset with my refusal, everyone was impressed with my discipline!”

instead of being upset with my refusal, everyone was impressed with my discipline!” – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

many projects seem overwhelming—and are overwhelming because you can’t do a project at all! You can only do an action related to it. Many actions re

many projects seem overwhelming—and are overwhelming because you can’t do a project at all! You can only do an action related to i…

most stress they experience comes from inappropriately managed commitments they make or accept

most stress they experience comes from inappropriately managed commitments they make or accept. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things …

once you’ve decided on all the actions you need to take, you must keep reminders of them organized in a system you review regularly

once you’ve decided on all the actions you need to take, you must keep reminders of them organized in a system you review regularl…

the more those techniques begin to work together as a whole, systematically and consistently, the more dramatic will be the increase in the experien

the more those techniques begin to work together as a whole, systematically and consistently, the more dramatic will be the increa…

the rewards to be gained from implementing this whole process are exponential- the more complete the system is, the more you’ll trust it. And the mo

the rewards to be gained from implementing this whole process are exponential: the more complete the system is, the more you’ll tr…

there are only two solutions- Make it up. Make it happen. We are constantly creating and fulfilling. This can be construed from the models of yin-ya

there are only two solutions: Make it up. Make it happen. We are constantly creating and fulfilling. This can be construed from th…

threefold nature of work—The categories of what we do as we go through our day- (1) work we’ve previously defined (actions predetermined); (2) unpla

threefold nature of work—The categories of what we do as we go through our day: (1) work we’ve previously defined (actions predete…

you must clarify exactly what your commitment is and decide what you have to do, if anything, to make progress toward fulfilling it

you must clarify exactly what your commitment is and decide what you have to do, if anything, to make progress toward fulfilling i…

you’ll need to get in the habit of keeping nothing on your mind

you’ll need to get in the habit of keeping nothing on your mind. – David Allen in ⚟ Getting Things Done…

“What do you want to have happen in this meeting” “What is the purpose of this form” “What would the ideal person for this job be able to do” “Wh

“What do you want to have happen in this meeting?” “What is the purpose of this form?” “What would the ideal person for this job b…

How I arrived at my ideal number of projects

Up: The ideal number of active projects Thoughts - June 2024 I've been diligent about using the GTD methodology again since since …

Getting Things Done

Chapter 1: A New Practice for a New Reality

Chapter 2: Getting Control of Your Life: The Five Steps of Mastering Workflow