David Allen's Blog, page 56

GTD is not an overnight little time-management tip

GTD is not an overnight little time-management tip and trick that’s going to change your life. It really is a whole lifelong, lifestyle, art and craft about how you manage the flow of life’s work. You know, how good can you get at cooking, or parenting, or playing the flute, or karate? There’s no end to those things and there’s no end to how good you can get at managing the flow of life’s work. –David Allen

3 new public courses just added

We just added 3 new public GTD courses to our U.S. schedule!  This is good news for those of you who weren’t able to get into the sold out Atlanta Level 1 course.

Join us this fall for a Level 1: Fundamentals course in:

Dallas, TX – October 13

Seattle, WA – November 11

Washington, DC – December 11

Be sure to register early, as these events do fill quickly!

 

Podcast #8 – Introducing GTD to a Friend

 

David Allen Company President and CEO Mike Williams interviews Andy Armstrong, with a focus on what it’s like to introduce GTD to a friend. Years ago, Mike gave Andy a copy of Getting Things Done. They talk about how Andy’s GTD practice has developed, the value of the Mind Sweep, and how he approaches the Weekly Review. Andy is a great example of stress-free productivity.

Listen

Moving from tree-hugging to forest management

Thanks to E. Jones for sharing his story below with us about his journey with GTD. David Allen has often said that learning GTD is like peeling an onion–the layers continue to unfold.  Here is E.’s story about how his knowledge, tools, and mastery of GTD has evolved:

Hey GTD Crew,

I’m an aspiring GTD practitioner – not necessarily a novice, but definitely not a master.  Was introduced to GTD back in 2007 or so.  Took me a while, but have finally gotten the “Desired Outcome, Current Status, and Next Action” themes ingrained in my way of daily thinking.

As with many who aspire to effectively and efficiently use the GTD methodology – you sometimes fall off the wagon, and new events help you recognize the need and value of getting back on.  I’ve had a couple of those lately, and just wanted to share a few thoughts:

1. In November of 2014, I stepped into a new role.  Lots of change – a good bit of turmoil – and a much faster environment.  Things like that help you to immediately recognize the need for a system.  I felt very much prepared because I had a “system” (at least I thought I was prepared).

2. After a few months in the new role, I realized how much my “system” was tailored to my previous environment.  It became evident that what worked well for me before wasn’t going to work well for me now.  That was a significant (not monumental – but significant) challenge.  I had to learn what pieces of my system would work “as is”, what pieces needed tweaked, and what pieces needed overhauled.

3. As I continue to refine my system, I started (re)reading Getting Things Done (the 2015 version).  I should add that in the midst of all the above, I got a new manager.  Here’s where one of the big light bulbs went off.  I have long recognized the value of the Weekly Review, but mine can be a bit draining – and time consuming.  I try to be thorough – and if I haven’t touched a particular project in a while, that can add to the challenge and time required for a Weekly Review.  In preparation for a 1-on-1 meeting with my new boss, I spent about 3 hours doing a good Weekly Review – capturing current status and next action on 20-30 projects.  That structure worked well.  I think my boss appreciated the structure and the thoroughness – and has asked me to continue that practice.  At the same time, I read a key statement in the 2015 version of GTD:

“A complete and current Projects list is the major operational tool for moving from tree-hugging to forest management”.  

That practice has (and will continue) to help me.  So what’s the next action?  I’ve decided that the tool I was using to capture my Weekly Review needs to change.  I’m very visual – so I love the practice of doing a Weekly Review on a big whiteboard – the issue is the time it takes to transfer the results from “being in the zone” at the whiteboard to something more portable.  I used to use OneNote as a tool for Weekly Review (still do use it for general capture) – but am now working on a master projects list in Excel.  Will share some of the secrets if it helps others – once I get the kinks worked out.

Keep up the good work!!

What’s your GTD story? We’d love to hear from you!

New GTD Guide for Android now available!

We’ve added a new option to our catalog of popular Setup Guides. Android users can now learn our GTD best practices for using Google Apps on their handheld. This Guide is packed with practical recommendations, loads of screen shots, tips, tricks, and options for getting the most out of GTD on the Android. It’s a great complement to our Google Apps for Desktop Setup Guide as well.

You’ll find both Guides in our online store.

 

 

New GTD Guide for Android now available

We’ve added a new option to our catalog of popular Setup Guides. Android users can now learn our GTD best practices for using Google Apps on their handheld. This Guide is packed with practical recommendations, loads of screen shots, tips, tricks, and options for getting the most out of GTD on the Android. It’s a great complement to our Google Apps for Desktop Setup Guide as well.

You’ll find both Guides in our online store.

 

 

New GTD public courses just added to our U.S. schedule

Our new Mastering Workflow Series courses are coming to Washington, DC on August 18, Chicago on August 26, and Atlanta on Sept. 22. If you’re new to GTD or looking for a refresher, start with Level 1: Fundamentals. If you have the basics down and are ready to go deeper with your GTD implementation, take Level 2: Projects & Priorities.

 

 

Special rates are available for:

Groups of 5 or more people (must register together)
Staff of not-for-profit organizations
Full-time students
Educators
Government employees (inlcuding military)
Graduates of the same previous GTD Mastering Workflow course (please send us year and city where you last attended)
GTD Connect monthly or annual members

Qualify for a special rate?

Simply email seminars@davidco.com from your qualifying email address (the address your GTD Connect membership is linked to or your .org, .gov, .mil, or .edu address) to receive the appropriate coupon code.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Podcast #7 – Guided GTD Weekly Review

 

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a David Allen Company coach guide you through an entire GTD Weekly Review? Now, in this interactive session, Senior GTD Coach Meg Edwards takes you through the entire process step by step. As you get clear, get current, and get creative, you’ll quickly see why the Weekly Review is considered *the* critical success factor in maintaining an integrated life management system.

Listen

 GTD Weekly Review®

GET CLEAR

Collect Loose Papers and Materials

Gather all accumulated business cards, receipts, and miscellaneous paper-based materials into your in-tray.

Get “IN” to Zero

Process completely all outstanding paper materials, journal and meeting notes, voicemails, dictation, and emails.

Empty Your Head

Put in writing and process any uncaptured new projects, action items, waiting for’s, someday maybe’s, etc.

GET CURRENT

Review Action Lists

Mark off completed actions. Review for reminders of further action steps to record.

Review Previous Calendar Data

Review past calendar in detail for remaining action items, reference data, etc., and transfer into the active system.

Review Upcoming Calendar

Review upcoming calendar events–long and short term. Capture actions triggered.

Review Waiting For List

Record appropriate actions for any needed follow-up. Check off received ones.

Review Project (and Larger Outcome) Lists

Evaluate status of projects, goals, and outcomes, one by one, ensuring at least one current action item on each.

Browse through project plans, support material, and any other work-in-progress material to trigger new actions, completions,

waiting fors, etc.

Review Any Relevant Checklists

Use as a trigger for any new actions.

GET CREATIVE

Review Someday/Maybe List

Review for any projects which may now have become active, and transfer to “Projects.” Delete items no longer of interest.

Be Creative and Courageous

Any new, wonderful, hare-brained, creative, thought-provoking, risk-taking ideas to add into your system???

 

Podcast 07 – Guided GTD Weekly Review

 

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a David Allen Company coach guide you through an entire GTD Weekly Review? Now, in this interactive session, Senior GTD Coach Meg Edwards takes you through the entire process step by step. As you get clear, get current, and get creative, you’ll quickly see why the Weekly Review is considered *the* critical success factor in maintaining an integrated life management system.

Listen

GTD Methodology Highlights

Reflect
Horizons of Focus
Weekly Review

 

Links

David Allen’s Weekly Review article
GTD Weekly Review Checklist

 

GTD Business Services

Coaching
Courses
Keynote Speeches
GTD Connect

 

GTD Individual Services

Coaching
Public Courses
GTD Connect
Shop Products
Buy the new edition of Getting Things Done

 

GTD Weekly Review®

GET CLEAR

Collect Loose Papers and Materials

Gather all accumulated business cards, receipts, and miscellaneous paper-based materials into your in-tray.

Get “IN” to Zero

Process completely all outstanding paper materials, journal and meeting notes, voicemails, dictation, and emails.

Empty Your Head

Put in writing and process any uncaptured new projects, action items, waiting for’s, someday maybe’s, etc.

GET CURRENT

Review Action Lists

Mark off completed actions. Review for reminders of further action steps to record.

Review Previous Calendar Data

Review past calendar in detail for remaining action items, reference data, etc., and transfer into the active system.

Review Upcoming Calendar

Review upcoming calendar events–long and short term. Capture actions triggered.

Review Waiting For List

Record appropriate actions for any needed follow-up. Check off received ones.

Review Project (and Larger Outcome) Lists

Evaluate status of projects, goals, and outcomes, one by one, ensuring at least one current action item on each.

Browse through project plans, support material, and any other work-in-progress material to trigger new actions, completions,

waiting fors, etc.

Review Any Relevant Checklists

Use as a trigger for any new actions.

GET CREATIVE

Review Someday Maybe List

Review for any projects which may now have become active, and transfer to “Projects.” Delete items no longer of interest.

Be Creative and Courageous

Any new, wonderful, hare-brained, creative, thought-provoking, risk-taking ideas to add into your system???

 

Curious how others are implementing GTD?

Are you curious how others are implementing GTD®? There’s a lively discussion going on in our free forum about how people have adapted the GTD methodology to meet their personal needs.

http://gettingthingsdone.com/forum/fo...