Just Kate Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) In a previous thread, I mentioned how I am having trouble managing the normal parts of life (executive function, I think it's called). Someone suggested the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. I immediately put it on hold at my library (currently listening to the audio) and started reading blogs and other info online about it. As a super-planner, I love the idea. I can really see how it will help me to manage my job. I still need to look into how I could use it with my job and my home life together (I work in finance, so it really isn't good for me to keep a bunch of work tasks intermingled into my personal tasks). However, I am already overwhelmed at the thought of putting it all together. I just can't see what it will look like yet. Anyone use this and want to discuss? I'm happy to talk about both pros and cons of the system. ETA: This was kind of funny...after I put the book on hold at my library, I told dh about it. He immediately starting laughing because he had just ordered the book from Amazon! lol Edited September 1, 2017 by Just Kate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I use some aspects of GTD. When I'm feeling really overwhelmed about everything I need to do, sitting down and writing things down to get it all out of my head is very helpful. Breaking things down into "next actions" is also useful for big, overwhelming projects. I also use the folder system and it gives me a place to put recurring payment books, tickets to one time events, or other reminders. The one thing it doesn't help with is the motivation to actually do the stuff once I know what I need or want to do! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 My husband uses it. He loves the process of breaking things down into next steps. And folders in his email. He had to train himself to put things in the proper folder immediately. Prioritizing tasks using the "this will only take 2 minutes. Do it now and get it off your plate." When he sticks with it the process works for him. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 I use some aspects of GTD. When I'm feeling really overwhelmed about everything I need to do, sitting down and writing things down to get it all out of my head is very helpful. Breaking things down into "next actions" is also useful for big, overwhelming projects. I also use the folder system and it gives me a place to put recurring payment books, tickets to one time events, or other reminders. The one thing it doesn't help with is the motivation to actually do the stuff once I know what I need or want to do! Yes, I agree that thinking about "next actions" will be very helpful. Many times in my job, I just write a big project on my to-do list and find it so overwhelming! Sticking with actions will make things a lot better. I can see that for my personal tasks (things I "should" do, like paint or clean out a closet) this might not work as well...due to that lack of motivation thing. lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 My husband uses it. He loves the process of breaking things down into next steps. And folders in his email. He had to train himself to put things in the proper folder immediately. Prioritizing tasks using the "this will only take 2 minutes. Do it now and get it off your plate." When he sticks with it the process works for him. Do you know how your husband keeps his lists? I am a huge iPhone/iPad user, but for my tasks, I think I may work better with pen and paper. I just can't quite visualize how to set things up. And I really need to learn more about how to manage email. Do you know how he sets his folders up? I have already started applying the 2 minute rule...and I feel more productive already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) No time to write a big post but this is awesome https://www.simplyconvivial.com/gtd-home-moms ETA-I have a couple of her e-books and they are pretty good. Edited September 1, 2017 by Moxie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) Do you know how your husband keeps his lists? I am a huge iPhone/iPad user, but for my tasks, I think I may work better with pen and paper. I just can't quite visualize how to set things up. And I really need to learn more about how to manage email. Do you know how he sets his folders up? I have already started applying the 2 minute rule...and I feel more productive already! He can't use pen and paper. He makes lists and then never looks at them. Everything goes on his calendar. Some items get multiple reminders. The key for him is not to mark the reminder as done until he actually does the task. I believe his email has the following categories: Today Urgent Today by noon Today by 3 Due by x date To review by x date Edited September 1, 2017 by kewb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 No time to write a big post but this is awesome https://www.simplyconvivial.com/gtd-home-moms ETA-I have a couple of her e-books and they are pretty good. I also immediately thought of Mystie. Love her work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) Yes, I have used the GTD system for 15 years or so. I don't do evey bit of it. Once every few years, I like to skim through the book again. My biggest take away point was to only put actionable items on my to do list. For example, I need to help my oldest son find some health insurance before he ages out of ours. But "Help DS get health insurance" is a project. You can't do a project. Example actions would be call our insurance agent, research deadlines, brainstorm options with DS. I try to structure my to do list with something to actually DO: Research Call Buy Send Fill Out Email Order Find Update It was GTD that first made me think that way. This week, I was trying to figure out how to keep track of events we might want to go to. Upcoming festivals and stuff like that. I don't want to put them on our calendar. Then, I thought about the GTD Tickler File system and realized that I could use a form of that. I don't have a Tickler File set up the way that GTD suggests, but I am rethinking that now. Edited September 1, 2017 by Penguin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I also immediately thought of Mystie. Love her work. Yes, very practical stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 For me, breaking down my task list was life changing. "Get DD's birth certificate" was on my list for 6 months before I read GTD. It helped me realize that I need to list the next actions. So 'get dd's birth certificate' became 'look up county birth certificate info', 'fill out bc form', 'buy $20 money order', etc. Also, the brain dump is brilliant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessa516 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I'm another poster recommending Mystie! I don't follow GTD to the T anymore, but I still brain dump and list next actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) Looks like I should check out Mystie's info. Thanks!!! ETA: my iPhone wanted to spell Mystie as Mattie Edited September 1, 2017 by Just Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I haven't been utilizing it well lately, but it's still better than before. The link posted looks very interesting. Putting it on my brain dump for now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Do you know how your husband keeps his lists? I am a huge iPhone/iPad user, but for my tasks, I think I may work better with pen and paper. I just can't quite visualize how to set things up. And I really need to learn more about how to manage email. Do you know how he sets his folders up? I have already started applying the 2 minute rule...and I feel more productive already! I like the home routines app. It's loosely based on flylady and very customisable. You can set up different routines and customise them to reset daily, weekly and monthly. It also has a task list for once of tasks and a timer. I also use it for school stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mermo Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 I really liked the book and learned a ton. I use Omni Focus app to keep all my projects and lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.