implement GTD

And then I fall apart when I don’t do it every day!!! discipline, discipline. I’ve felt in a huge fog recently!

I’m about 75% done with the book and love the idea of the GTD system. My mind is always full of the things I need to do, want to do, should do, etc, and I often find myself in headless chicken mode – running around and getting nothing done (GND). However, for months now I have resisted finishing the book. If I finally finish the book I’ll be able to start implementing the system – but that just seems like so much work. How do I make “implement GTD” my next action, when I don’t have next action lists, or Any lists, yet?

GTD really helps me get things done. I’ve used outlook and and a few web sites to help me. The one I like the best (right now) is Nozbe. Go to http://www.nozbe.com/a-FBE447A5 to try for free.

I could never figure out in Outlook how to look at all my items at one time for a particular project. Nozbe does that very well.

my first WR in AGES! Finally finally I have an empty inbox! I’m really going to have to make a point of scheduling a WR into my routine.

I’ve settled into a relatively productive rut that’s not truly GTD compliant but generally works for me.

- a pack of 3×5 cards and a pen go with me constantly for immediate capture;

- I’m using the application “Things” (beta, for Mac) to track projects and such. This app will require purchase in October and I’m still deciding whether it’s the best tool. They keep fixing things and adding features so it might be. The only thing that would make it better is if I could enter from multiple workstations… I think that’s at least a potential of their app due to it’s file structure but I don’t think it’s implemented yet.

- I have absolutely no mechanism for weekly review though. I just am doing all the immediate tasks with no larger picture – or actually, the larger picture remains only implicit;

- The work table I have at home is a shameful mess. There are “in” boxes there somewhere!

- the worst confession is that currently, I store my “work” lists on my work computer and my “home” lists on my home computer. For the most part, this works because both contexts are physically and functionally separate but when I’m entering info for “home” sometimes I remember items for work and vice versa.

but I’ve forgotten its lessons and need to re-visit it now I’m a few weeks into my new post.

David says “you need 3 baskets”, buy 3 baskets. He says “use alphabetic order to sort your general references”, just do it and don’t look for anything more clever. It just works :).

btw, I quite like the FREE software Thinking Rock to help me, but that’s totally up to you.

It’s been almost one year now. GTD is addictive, I can’t do without it anymore or the stress builds up like it used to the 27 first years of my life.

I have been thinking about implementing GTD, but now I am ready to quit: GTD just feels too robotic for me. I also think my problems with procrastination have nothing to do with too many tasks (GTD could help with that). The truth is that I simply don’t want some of the tasks and goals on my lists anyway. That is a different problems altogether…

I am really tired faking motivation, so the only long term solution is getting rid of some of the tasks (that unfortunately includes my job). Short term? Inform my wife that we are selling our apartment and car to cut down costs so I can concentrate on pursuing my dreams.. um, I don’t think so… maybe I just keep faking productivity and try to find a little time now and then to test alternative income methods.

I have mixed feelings about GTD: I feel kind of a robot when using the system and it doesn’t feel natural. Then again, I feel I really would like to do more in my life and GTD definitely could help.

My mind wants to wander freely and not submit to running a small “do this, do that, repeat ferover” loop.

I think I need to review the book and then take small steps to increase the number of things on my To-Do lists. Currently I have everything on my Palm (I am using Life Balance). The end result is that my list of possible actions contains way too much trash to be useful.

Downloaded Thinking Rock 2 software and am using it at work. It is pretty helpful once you get used to it. The reports are simple to use and very usable when printed out.