Getting Things Done

Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #84

Today I thought I would share my notes on "Getting Things Done" the book and philosophy of David Allen!

1. Capture - Collect what has your attention
2. Clarify - Process what it means
3. Organize - Put it where it belongs
4. Reflect - Review frequently
5. Engage - Do what needs to be done

Capture

• Look at workspace, what doesn't belong here?
• Need physical in tray
• Open loop
• Mind sweep - anything you have your attention on

Placeholder/trusted place for these things to go - any place other than in your head. Your head is for having ideas, not holding them.

• Pen and paper - anything to record an idea - need to have it with you all the time.

Clarify

• Decision making you need to apply
• What do these things really mean and what are you going to do about them?
• Is it actionable? Yes or No (maybe is a No)
  • No - 3 options: Trash, Incubate, Reference
  • Yes - Ask two questions:
    • What's the very next action that I need to do to move this forward?
    • What's the project - if there is more than one action to be done.
  • Do, Delegate, Defer
    • Less than 2 minutes? Do it right then!
    • Can it be delegated? If so, do that or add it to the agenda to cover with person delegating to.
    • Defer

Organizing

• More than two minute things
  • Calendar
  • Next Actions Lists (by context)
    • At Home
    • Phone
    • Waiting
    • Projects

Reflecting

• Weekly review of projects list
• Look forward and backward on calendar
• Schedule time at the end of the week
• Prep at the end of the week the same way you do before you go on vacation.

Engage

• Where are you putting your focus and attention
• Actively deciding what you are doing