[Book Report] Getting Things Done, By David Allen
Seems like everyone's way too busy these days, and entrepreneurs are certainly no exception. While keeping up with daily tasks and responsibilites can certainly be a challenge, I've found that creating some simple systems can be tremendously helpful. In Getting Things Done, David Allen shares his proven system for getting organized, clearing your mind, and operating at peak levels of productivity.
Managing Commitments
If all the things you have to do are on your mind, your mind isn't clear and it's more difficult to be present and focus on your tasks. Anything you consider unfinished or undecided in any way must be captured in a trusted system outside your mind.
Clarify exactly what your commitment to the project is, and decide what you have to do, if anything to make progress toward fulfilling it. In order to get a project off your mind, all you need to do is list your desired outcome, and the next action you want to take toward that outcome.
Imagine your desired outcome clearly. Envision wild success!
Do you have a good reason for doing the project? If not, take it off your to do list.
Once you've decided on the next action you need to take for each project, keep reminders organized in a system you review regularly.
By the way, David Allen defines a project as an outcome requiring more than one action.
Trusted Systems Outside Your Mind Can Be:
- Physical in basket
- Paper based note taking devices
- Electronic note taking devices
- Voice recording devices
- Email
- You must go through these on a regular basis to be effective
Tips and Strategies I'm Implementing and Finding Useful
(Some of the above are my own adaptations)
- When going your to do list or in basket, if you can do the task in 3-5 minutes, do it right there and then, and take it off your list.
- Create a file folder for every paper based reference materials that you think you may need to refer to later. Be selective, and don't be afraid to throw things out. Purge your files of outdated or un-needed materials on a regular basis. Get as many filing cabinets as necessary.
- Get a loose leaf binder (or folder), and write the name of each project you're working on at the top of a new sheet of paper. Describe what a successful outcome for each project would look like. Next, decide on and write the next action step for each project. Transfer the action items to your to do list.
- Don't attach tasks on your to do list to specific days or weeks. When you inevitably don't get everything done, transfering all the remaining items to the next day or week is too cumbersome and demoralizing. Instead, classify your list according to level of priority.
A to do list tool we use and recommend is Task Freak.
This free online application helps you manage your to do lists and keep track of projects efficiently.
- Use your datebook or calendar only for things that actually have to be done on a certain day or time.
- I organize my incoming stuff with an "In" basket, a "Pending" basket when I'm waiting for new information regarding the item, and a "File" basket for papers to file (or create a new folder for).
This book has been very helpful to me in getting things done. I hope these tips prove helpful for you as well.
© 2009 Emilie Nottle
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Emilie Nottle is a Graphic/Web Designer, Online Strategist, and Principal at Zooop Design - a full service graphic and web design firm. If you're ready to make the most of your online presence, automate your marketing efforts, and grow your biz, subscribe to her free monthly eZine .
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