Getting Things Done discussion

I would like to discuss this book with others, would anyone else like to discuss the ideas in this book?

I'm three years too late, I guess. I would have liked to discuss this though, shame.

Hi Misssharice,
couple of questions:
have you read the book?
have you implemented a version of GTD?
are you actively maintaining your system?

this book was enlightening to me.
i realized what a filing cabinet was for. i realized what an in box was for. i saw that writing things down helped me stop thinking about them and actually get them done.
Pip

I have read the book, twice. Once to get the general gist of it and again to start to think about implementing the ideas. I've started working with little bits of the book - mainly at work. I'm just in the process of moving house at the moment so am waiting to get into the new place and then I can start afresh with the method. My eyes were completely opened by this book and I'm so thankful I found it. I have now started to do more - those little 5 minute jobs that I would have ignored before, especially. And the bigger tasks I plan and keep track of.

i didn't 'get' the natural planning (NP) until i had revamped my files and cleared all the junk off my disk and off my shelves. once i was down to an inbox, i pile of reading material (pared to what i actually need to read), and my straight line files, i then went back to look at projects.
once i was ready to look at projects as discreet things (and the neat thing was that everything i had left to deal with was project related) then i began to understand the chapter on planning projects.
for BIG, multi-step, projects, i actually spend the time on defining purpose, writing down the outcome, and then start brainstorming. all the things that need to be done for that project get splattered into a long list until i can't think of anything else. then i organize the list into either a time sequence order (typically) or group by category (for home projects where the order doesn't matter).
that approach gets everything written down and off my mind. recognizing projects, and planning them with NP, was the biggest benefit i got from the book.

at work, i got thru the entire process of putting everything into 'IN' and processing it all.
at home, i'm still slowly slogging thru stuff i put into 'IN' three years ago. i'm considering keeping my digital approach at work and going totally paper based at home...

I'm the same - having a paper approach works way better for me at home. I did find that at first I thought too much about some of this system and found myself downloading apps on my mobile phone, looking at bits of computer wizardry ... it got too complicated that way. Paper and pen seems to work for me more, from what I have started to implement. Another benefit I've found is making sure I make "appointments" for doing certain tasks and I've found if I actually place these tasks in my diary and make more of an effort to complete them.

do you trust your system at this point?

did you set up a tickler file?

do have email under control? that was not really addressed in the book (i don't remember it if it did...)

The tickler file idea didn't work for me, in my head. I haven't tried it but I think it's one of the elements of the system that I just don't think would work. I'll definitely trust my system more when I implement it more. I might re-read the book, or parts of it, but I made comprehensive notes when reading it, which have helped. My work emails are now organised - folders, sub-folders, folders for emails that need actions etc. Personal emails, not so much. I really need to tackle them.

What have you found most challenging when implementing the system?

most challenging? that is a good question. probably settling on one place for all my context lists. i want those lists portable, but i don't want them on my phone unless they are synced somewhere. and i've tried different android apps to handle those lists, but they've never been complete b/c i can't decide what to use. i'm this close || to going completely to paper. little notebooks are great. portable, affordable, more rugged than anything electronic, and less restrictive. maybe that is what i am really balking at is how restrictive any application would be. (but i would miss search capabilities if i went paper.) sigh - see? i'm stuck.

wrt tickler file, it took me a little bit of time to see the value of it. there are certain things that can't be done electronically (e.g. store Nutcracker tickets, tear things out of magazines and retrieve them when you need them) i have a lot of reminders in my tickler files, things like: change the oil, give the dog her heart worm medicine, call so-and-so, inspirational quotes, organizational principles, etc.
But, it has to become a habit to check it every day. i do that with my work tickler, but i don't do it every day at home. I like the way i can put a reminder in there in the May folder, perhaps, and completely forget about it until it pops up May 1st. "oh, yeah! i wanted to do that or look at that or buy that or try that." i put ideas for birthdays in the month folder for that person:
Johnny's birthday ideas: pocket knife, balloons, bow and arrows. Since I know i'm going to check it faithfully, i can put something in there and then relax, knowing that it will turn back up just when i need it.

That all makes sense, actually. I think I'd forget to check it on a daily basis. I think I could possibly set up a similar file - if it was divided into months, like one of those expanding accordion files. It would be good for storing birthday cards and reminders of things to do in certain months.

have you thought about making your implementation of GTD into a project? if you wrote down a clear purpose and pictured what your ideal outcome would be (and wrote that down) and then cleared your head of any ideas you already have in a brainstorming session, then you could pick one doable thing from the list and make it your next action. all that could be accomplished in 10-15 minutes and you would be on your way!

That's a really good idea! I feel like I might have to have another read of the book ...

Thanks Sebastian===
I will have to review the book and begin again.
Cindy

I first read the book around 2005 and recently re-read it. I've implemented GTD in my life for many years, and I continue to learn new things about it. Although the concept stays the same, my execution has evolved throughout the years. I integrate electronic tools in my GTD workflow more these days (my most important tool is Evernote).

This is a great book that has improved my life so greatly. If I had my own company, this book would be required reading for all employees.

Still wanting to discuss GTD.