What do you think of the Getting Things Done organization system?

Just by your question, I think it’s common sense in a sleek package designed to make money off people desperate for order in their lives.

I’m a broken record about this, but it’s really great. The book is totally enough… the great thing about it is that you can implement the ideas in any way you choose… and that’s the most important thing. Some people just use pen and paper, some use the manilla folders, I use Things on my mac (and more recently, hiveminder over IM).

And yes, it really has changed my life. I bought the audio book version for my parents for Christmas. It’s not to say that I’m completely organized at all time (I’m really not), but it gives me a structure to return to—and I’ve tried just about everything over the last 10 years.

I think it’s a genuine effort to help people take a look at the systems for being productive they could be using, and just that in itself can be helpful.

If you read some of the basic ideas, and modify whatever you want to make a system that works for you, it’s genius. Ultimately it’s one step you can take to taking control of your things to do and projects, and I don’t think it has to be the definitive answer, as for me productivity, systems for capturing and tracking projects are always evolving,

GTD has made a huge difference in my life. @asmonet, what’s with the cynicism about something you don’t know about?

I believe in his work so much that I have helped people implement the systems David Allen talks about. I have given talks on it. It’s fabulous. As you read the book and have questions, Ort, I’d love to share my experience, and I’m sure Andrew and other GTD lovers would too. Give it a shot.

@trusting: I looked into it after I posted, I didn’t feel the need to update as I have the same opinion. I’m sorry if I came off as abrasive, that wasn’t my intention…another thread has irked me and it seems to have bled into some others. My apologies. :)

You all seem to have benefited greatly from it, so I’ll dig a little deeper out of curiosity. Who knows? Maybe I’ll change my mind. Thanks for calling attention to my post. :D

Thanks for being open to changing your mind. Takes a big person to consider new things.

To be honest, it’s probably still going to sound like a load of hokey unless a system like that would actually be of use to you. If you’re naturally quite a motivated person, or you don’t juggle a lot of projects, to-do’s and goals, it’s probably not for you (especially as you described it as ‘common sense’).

@benseven: That’s probably true, but then again, I only did a few google searches and read a wikipedia article. There’s still a chance I missed something that could be wonderfully helpful. Besides, I already waste my days at Barnes & Noble using it like a library, what’s the harm? :)

At worst, I waste some time, at best I learn something, at least I can reinforce my own system of organization.

I ♥ GTD. You have to do it though. It won’t do itself. Part of its working is being consistent. The habit changing needed to become consistent is harder than implementing GTD as a system of organization.

@Megan, excellent point. One of the core habits is getting everything out of one’s head. Doing that creates enormous freedom and peace. But once all that stuff is out, we have to find a way to work with and trust the systems that got created to capture the stuff.

That’s what GTD is all about. The point is to free our minds, so that we can have peace. Oh yeah, and productivity – doing the right thing at the right time.

I figured Flutherites would know about this. Thanks for the responses. Looking forward to giving it a shot even though I’m procrastinating already! I’ve been a bit resistant to trying formalized organizational systems, so the “doing it” part will definitely be the challenge for me. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Thanks Trustinglife and Andrew for your tips
(and links too!). To peace and productivity! :)

@ort: I had the book in my bookcase for a year before I read it. ^-^

I just bought it because of your responses. Let’s see how it is!

Awesome, Perchik! I love spreading the gospel.

One thing I love about it is that David Allen is not attached to your using his system. He is more explaining that there are principles to peaceful productivity, and you figure out whatever system works for you.

I think I really need this book.

Only if you want more peace of mind!

Yes, please! It’s on my list :)

I read Getting Things Done about a year ago. Has it changed my life tremendously? No. But has it had a positive effect on my organization and completion of goals I set for myself? Yes.

I was very impressed with David Allen’s musings on the nature of the way we decide on what we want and how we accomplish them. A lot of what he says makes sense, particularly his analysis of the way our minds visualize a successful outcome for a goal, and how our minds start to fill in the blanks to get to that successful outcome. His purpose in creating the GTD system was to utilize this inherent ability of our brains in a precise, coherent system that makes a person responsible for the commitments she makes to herself.

This system includes the collection of our random thoughts, deciding if a thought can be acted upon and careful organizing of these actions. All of this works under a framework of goals that a person sets for herself for the far future, several years from now, next year, etc. In the end, this system allows you to get things off your mind so that you can come back to them after they are organized and you are assured that the actions on your list moves you toward your goal(s).

One particular point of emphasis that Allen makes is the review process. The GTD system has you create a set of lists, but they are useless unless you are constantly updating, reviewing, removing and revising things on your lists. As Allen says (paraphrasing here), “if you don’t trust your system, you won’t be emptying your head.” And if your head isn’t empty, you won’t have the benefit of being able to focus totally on the action at hand.

I believe the review process might be the hardest part of using the GTD system. You need to do a cursory review of your lists daily and a slightly deeper review weekly. I think the reason why I’ve had a positive benefit from the GTD system but not a complete life change is because my reviews are inconsistent. And I’m fairly certain the system would only help me more if I reviewed more often. As it is now, my focus is a little bit scattered and I do keep some things in my head, most likely because I haven’t put my complete trust in the system.

As an organizational tool, GTD works quite well. Even with my inconsistency in reviewing, I have completed more goals in 1 year than I have in 3 years prior. Part of the beauty of GTD is the flexibility in implementing it: you can use paper and folders, .txt files on your computer, or a wide variety of web apps and computer programs. I personally use Todoist.com. It is not a perfect GTD tool, but it’s simple, flexible and easy to adapt your needs. I remember being impressed with ToodleDo, Tracks, TodoPaper and several other similar computer-based tools as well. There are literally hundreds of apps out there dedicated to GTD.

Based on my experience, my advice would be to read the book carefully and thoughtfully, and make sure to complete the collection process Allen describes in Chapter 5. Once that is out of the way, the rest is easy to implement once you have decided on how you will be doing it (on paper, on a computer, etc). Besides the book and the tools you choose for yourself, you don’t need anything else.

Good luck, and apologies for the long post.