Getting Things Done

by David Allen

Trying to create goals before you have confidence that you can keep your everyday world under control will often undermine your motivation and energy rather than enhance them.

My experience is that it will be at least two years of implementing and habituating this methodology to get to that level of self-confidence.

People who give themselves a Miscellaneous action list (i.e. one not specific in context) often let themselves slide in the next-action decision, too.

Over the years I have seen people effectively use categories such as “Brain Gone” (for simple actions requiring no mental horsepower)

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 one of those low-energy states, do those things.

Success is learning to deal with Plan B. —Unknown

If your filing system is too formal (or nonexistent), you’ll probably miss many opportunities to generate a project focus sufficiently early.

I have yet to discover any one perfect project-management tool.

The sense of anxiety and guilt doesn’t come from having too much to do; it’s the automatic result of breaking agreements with yourself.

Having to bail water in a leaky boat undermines your ability to direct it and move it forward.