GTD is Fantastic

I finished David Allen's "Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" about 3 weeks ago now. Some people think it is creepy. But you can put me in the group that thinks it is actually un!@#$ing believable. Quite honestly, I have never found a time management system so flexible yet so simple that it can encompass your entire life. I finished the book three weeks ago and since then I have managed to keep my email inbox clear for two straight weeks and have banished every stack of "stuff" in my office. But the best result is honestly how much less stressed I am getting on a day to day basis.

In the past I used email as my modus operandi for handling projects and actions. But it was truly a stupid system that caused nothing but stress. Basically keeping everything in my inbox until I had dealt with it meant I would have acres of email that required me to look back through it on a regular basis. Sorting it into folders wasn't much better because there was an infinite number of them and once something was placed in a folder I rarely went back into it. Once I read GTD I could totally see why my system wasn't working but also why it was causing me SO MUCH STRESS.

If you live in New Zealand (like I do at the moment) it will be a hassle to get this book at a local bookstore. Don't ask me why but I called 10 different bookstores in Auckland in an attempt to avoid the wait from buying through Amazon. Eventually I just bit the bullet and used Amazon, which was (as usual) excellent and delivered BEFORE the expected due date. It isn't an easy read but it is worth it. BTW, if you are currently a client of mine and you read this. I am buying copies for the first 10 who take me up on it. Email me to let me know.

Comments

[Ian Christie]

Amen Steven. Hello from Canada.

I too found GTD a few months ago, and was bowled over by his David Allen's clear thinking. I have implemented much, but not all yet. Getting there. One of the biggest behavioral changes for me has been the focus on the Next Action. A huge productivity enhancement.

Just introduced to your blog today and like it very much!
Ian Christie

[Andrew]

GTD requires a certain amount of self-discipline to maintain so you keep getting benefit out of it - but it's well worth it.

The big thing, I think, is that you adopt the framework into the technologies that suit you - some prefer an electronic system, based on their email system and PDA - others prefer a paper based system.

If you haven't looked at it already, I recommend picking up Ready for Anything - the companion book, also by David Allen. It's more supporting information for GTD, but also very useful.

On the subject of NZ booksellers, I've pretty much given up on them - Amazon is faster, more reliable, has a much larger range and cheaper (even once you include shipping, if you buy 3 or 4 books at a time). NZ booksellers only get impulse purchases from me these days, or those rare occasions when I get given book vouchers.

I'm all for supporting local business, but they have to make it worth my while, at least a little bit.