Simplifying David Allen’s Complicated GTD Setup

JamesN Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 6:56 am

One thing I liked about GTD is the emphasis on handling things effectively and dealing with stress that way, rather than the avoidance strategy. I am not suggesting that’s what you are advocating, but I think the distinction is important.

Robert Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 6:59 am

I guess I keep in mind two things when looking at Allen’s setup:

(1) Allen is rich and can afford to simply run out and buy any gadget he thinks would be cool to have and even marginally useful for GTD purposes.

(2) It’s a CNN article with commercial attachments. Note the blurb just below the picture: “Courtesy David Allen Co., Herman Miller, IBM, Levenger, Office Depot, Palm, Tumi”. The article has a lot less punch for the corporate crowd when you factor out the “gotta have it” aspect of showing pictures of specific things you can buy for GTD. Can you do GTD successfully with less than $25 worth of materials? Absolutely. Is it sexy? Not so much, at least not for the average CNNMoney reader.

GTD is all about dividing and conquering your stuff, and it seems counterproductive to introduce more stuff than is absolutely necessary in implementing GTD itself.

Andy Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 7:31 am

Desk trays; filing cabinet; 3×5 index cards; computer/photocopier to backup the cards.

If there was a single piece of GTD software that would print out on 3×5 cards, I would add it to the list. But I’ve not found one yet. Or, I would swap the cards for a PDA if I could get one with a real keyboard and with software that let me make mindmaps as part of a GTD action. But there isn’t one.

I agree strongly with your bullet list; I have one reservation. One of the biggest things GTD has given me is relief from the nagging worry that I have forgotten to do something; it’s the best de-stressing tool I’ve ever seen. If you “reduce before you organise” too much, then (in GTD-speak) you risk leaving open loops inside your head, rather than getting them out on paper where you can renegotiate them.

Leo Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 7:38 am

Hi Andy … good point … I tend to write things down to get them out of my head (capture) but before I start to organize them, I reduce … I decide whether I really need to do them or not. I put them on paper, but then cross them off later, if I don’t need to do them. Thanks for allowing me to clarify!

Joe T Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 7:39 am

I think we shouldn’t confuse what is needed to use GTD with how one specific person has choosen to implement it. As David Allen would be the first to note, there is more than one way to implement GTD. That said, I think the comparison is ludicrous.

You say “That’s it. I don’t carry a briefcase, a cell phone, a Palm organizer, traveling file folders.” Fine. I’m sure that works for you. Meanwhile, loads of people in the real world have job requirements that are vastly different from yours. For one, they may travel a lot. Not coincidentally, DA himself does indeed travel more than most people.

For anyone who travels even a little bit, not having a briefcase or a phone simply isn’t an option. And by listing both the phone and the Palm organizer, you do what you can to make his setup look as complicated a possible. This is somewhat disingenious, given that the list to the right clearly states that he has combined those.

Also, you refer to DA’s Desktop Baskets as “A five-tray desktop inbox”, even though that’s clearly not what it is.

When I read the book, and while listening to DA speaking, I was constantly reminded of how often he would say “that depends on what your job is”. He took that to heart. Your list clearly shows that you don’t. I’m firmly on his side here.

Let’s go through his list more closely.
1. Desktop baskets. You don’t have places to store read/review, short-term action support documents or an outbox. That is needed in any job i have ever had.
2. Computer. On both your lists.
3. Cell phone. Simply required in most jobs.
4. Software. On both your lists.
5. File cabinet. Simply required in most jobs. I wish more stuff would come electronically, but since not everything does, it’s needed.
6. Briefcase. Simply required in most jobs
7. Plastic Travel File Folders. The “plastic travel” part is something DA sells. But having some sort of filing system in your briefcase is needed for most people.
8. Desktop organizer. This one is, IMHO, a bit over the top. The stuff that is supposed to go there is needed in most jobs, but I think a regular drawer works as well.

To summarize:
Two items you both had.
Five items that are simply needed in most jobs.
One item that is not needed in most jobs.

(I should probably note that “most jobs” actually refers to “most office/desk jockey jobs”.)

lucky8 Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 7:44 am

I’ve been thinking for a while that my system contains too many categories, sub-categories and duplicate lists but I’ve never been able to figure out where i can cut back. Reading this has given me a few pointers which I think I will try out when I get the chance. I’m also curious about Google Docs but think I would prefer to use it as a way of backing up documents I write in another aplication rather than as my default word processor. Of course doing it this way means that if I do get a chance to write elsewhere (which rarely happens) then I can do.

Thanks for another inspiring read.

Sam Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 7:52 am

I’ve been thinking about ways to reduce my storage of paper references once I get back to school (summer vacation doesn’t leave me too many open loops to deal with). I think I’m going to try scanning the vast majority of the paper that I’m hit with and storing the hard copies for the first couple months to see if I can pull it off.

I’m not sure if this will reduce my stress when it comes to GTD, or increase it. As a technophile, I fall into the trap of adding unnecessary new gadgets and software to my GTD system. It’s something I’m trying to get away from, and I can honestly say the most important aspect to my current system is my pocket moleskine notebook.

brent Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 8:00 am

I like the idea of simplifying. I think that every person who begins GTD never _quite_ makes their life simple enough. The best GTD system is the one that stays out of your way - the one that makes it EASIER to cope.

I love it when people talk about their System, and don’t need to mention a single product.

Leo Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 8:27 am

@Joe T: I appreciate your point of view, and I’m glad you brought these points up. Allow me to make a couple of points of my own:

1) The comparison was made for a purpose — not to show that my system is better than David Allen’s in any way (as I said in the article) but to talk about simplifying and how it can be incorporated with GTD. If that doesn’t work for you, that’s OK … we just have different needs and philosophies. I’m merely sharing mine.

2) I might not have been clear when I called the Palm Treo a “cell phone and organizer”. I meant that it’s both. I didn’t mean to imply that it was two items. Sorry if that seemed disingenuous.

3) I call the desktop baskets an inbox. That’s what I call that item. :) I wasn’t trying to make it into something that it’s not.

4) You said you’re clearly on his side … but I’m not asking anyone to take sides here. As I said in the article, David has the tools he needs, and I have the tools I need. It’s not a my system is better vs. his system. It’s a comparison merely to illustrate some concepts I’ve talked about before regarding simplifying needs and tools.

Again, Joe, if the simplifying concepts I’m talking about aren’t for you, that’s OK. I’m not trying to push it on you, or on David Allen, or make him look bad. I think GTD can be simple, with simple tools, if you simplify your needs. If you don’t want to do that, don’t worry about it. I’m just talking about what works for me. :)

Thanks, though, for bringing these points up, because I think I wasn’t very clear about them in my article.

Tom O'Leary Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 8:34 am

Hi

I’m sure David Allen’s set up looks cool and he is doing a really good job for equipment retailers everywhere, but really, I think that paper is the most under-rated productivity tool in our current world. You nailed it when you said it is the simplest setup possible. It is simple, it is reliable, it is replaceable, and it never runs flat or out of range. Sometimes low tech is the only way to go.
But I understand that for a lot of people, appearing to be productive is more important than productivity itself. These people should buy as much gear as they can afford, because it will definitely keep you looking efficient. Simplicity isn’t possible for some people, but when it is possible, it is worth pursuing.
Thanks
Tom O’Leary

mjh Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 8:53 am

@Andy:

“If there was a single piece of GTD software that would print out on 3×5 cards, I would add it to the list.”

GTDinbox is a firefox plugin that integrates a GTD based label system (contexts, statuses, projects) into your gmail. You basically send yourself emails to your lists, and it does indeed have a little button that will print whatever list you are viewing onto a 3×5 index card.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3209

Claude Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 9:07 am

Hi Leo

Just a few words to summarize my thoughts.

I was put to retirement last December. Immediately, all stressful activities ceased. There was no need for all of those gadgets and machinery. But, since I like to be organized, I devised a very simple system;
A) Outlook for email, task and calendar ( I don’t have two or three computers)
B) Moleskine pocket to take note when I walk to the public library every day
C) Large bound note book to write journal items ( Like: today I really miss work and dunno if I will survive this retirement)
D) Evernote (it’s free) to write some book evaluation ( I made the goal to read one book a week)
E) My mind- I try to meditate every morning at 0530 and keeping my mind on the course is sometime hard. (still thinking of that lovely secretary at work)

Thank you Leo for reading me

Jesse Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 9:09 am

Page 4 mid way states “you can simply use this as a guide to getting back to better control when you find you need to.”

I’ve always felt GTD was a guideline and suggestion of things to do. If you can take everything it says as ‘Gospel’ and implement it, then more power to you, but it is best for someone to take the things that suite their needs and disregard the rest. No one’s personal organization system is suited for someone else perfectly. You’ve done the right thing and implemented the parts that are perfect for you and developed others that fit in.

Gordon Shippey Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 9:28 am

You’re getting rid of your filing system? I’m skeptical. How would you handle (for instance) income taxes without a place to keep all your statements?

Rebecca Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 10:18 am

Leo,
I agree with Joe T that “David Allen’s set up” does not = GTD setup. And that distinction needs to be made. In Getting Things Done (the book), nowhere does Allen say you need to have all that stuff in order to implement the GTD method. I certainly don’t (although I have more than you do, certainly :-)).

Here’s the issue. Yes, it says “Tools that David Allen uses to get his own things done.” David Allen’s tools then, translate to “Things that are optimal for getting your own things done.” I think you misrepresent Allen’s concept of GTD (as expressed in the book) when you say:

“That’s just my opinion, of course, but the master of GTD is a living example of how GTD is a great system that has great concepts, but can get way too tool-heavy and complicated when implemented.”

David Allen does not say all those gadgets are necessary for the implementation of GTD and that is what is implied by your post. He would however, say that if those gadgets help HIM to implement GTD then they are useful tools. I for one use a two level inbox, a two drawer filing cabinet, and a palm pilot (which I already had pre GTD).

Leo Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 10:42 am

@Rebecca: I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I’m not saying that GTD requires all of these tools, just because that’s David Allen’s setup — in fact, the point of my article is that GTD doesn’t require all of those tools. The comparison with David Allen’s setup was simply an illustration of that — use the tools you need, but keep it simple if possible.

I did not misrepresent GTD as presented in the book … in fact, nowhere in the article do I talk about the implementation of GTD as presented in the book. I simply showed how one person’s implementation (David Allen’s) can get a little complicated … everyone’s implementation will be different, of course … I just wanted to remind people that simple can be a good thing. That’s all.

@Gordon: I made a mistake — I was only talking about my work setup. I don’t use my work files anymore (although I still keep them for now). I do have home files that I use, including bills and taxes, but I keep them pretty basic.

Leo Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 10:44 am

I think some people are misunderstanding the purpose of this article as an attack on either GTD or David Allen. It’s meant to be neither. I love both of them.

The purpose of this article is simple: to illustrate how a system can be simplified, and to show how you can take the best of GTD and use only the essential parts of it to be more productive.

David’s setup works for him, which is fine. He’s a great guy, and if it works for him, I applaud him.

Rebecca Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 11:05 am

I’m sorry Leo, I didn’t mean to put you on the defensive. I see what you are saying–I do. And I wouldn’t think you were “attacking” GTD or David Allen. My point was that, for the general non-GTD-reading population, I think they could construe that David Allen’s setup is what he prescribes as the GTD setup, and that would be erroneous.

Not a big deal. I’m sorry if I wasted any of your energy. Peace.

Balfour Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 11:14 am

Leo, you know I love you, but the language of your post definitely had a tone. For example, the first heading is “It’s way too complicated” and that sets the stage. It’s the word choice that makes the tone. I believe you when you say you didn’t mean this to be judgmental of The David’s setup and that everyone has to tailor it to their own style, but the words may not have captured it that way.

JohnJ Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 12:53 pm

I’m surprised to see a PDA on David Allen’s list. I remember reading somewhere “Anyone who uses a PDA is simply not busy enough.” I’m pretty sure that’s from David Allen’s book. Anyway, I agree. I’ve tried many PDAs and they were all fun to play with but very impractical. Maybe this has changed, with new technology coming out. But it will be a *very* long time before I try another PDA.

Harley Stagner Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 14:43 pm

I use Remember The Milk for my master list.

I have two “in boxes”, one at work and one at home.

I have a tickler file at work and a single alphabetical file drawer.

At home I have a single alphabetical file drawer.

I carry a Fischer space pen and pocket notebook for “on the go” note taking for processing later.

1- Master List Program
3- Filing drawers
2- Physical inboxes
1- Pen
1- Pocket Notebook

8 Items total :)
The system so far has been simple and effective.

Jeff Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 15:26 pm

Many people, including the author of this article, do not understand that GTD is a set of principles at its essence, and simply get caught up discussing and debating the superficial or external features of its use. A principle is either true, or it isn’t.

J. Sutmoller Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 16:22 pm

It’s inevitable you’ll acquire electronic and paper copies throughout the day. I use the following tools everyday to process my work/school day. I am full time student and work on-campus yet still amaze my peers when I am only carrying 3 manila folders. I file longer notes and any paper copies at the end of the day, but any short notes I convert to Google Notebook.

1. Gmail - duh

2. Google Docs - I use this the same as gmail so there is no need to organize.

3. Google Notebook - I use notebooks like “reading”, “inbox”, “someday/maybe”, “meetings”, “reference”, etc. It’s as simple as pie to move items around and ‘file’ them… Often I jot notes about future projects, but have prepared action items for meetings months in advance.

4. Google Calendar - duh again

5. 1 legal pad - for all the note taking.

6. 3 Manila Folders - one labeled “todo”, another “to read”, and another “to file”.

7. Good simple hanging file system.

Chris Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 16:30 pm

Leo, where do you keep your lists? I would be interested in reading about how you do your lists. Thanks!

Jarick Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 16:55 pm

Just started doing the GTD thing, but here’s what I’ve got:

1. iGoogle stickies for the urgent stuff and my “inbox” and notepads strewn about when I’m not near my laptop

2. Google Notebook for lists and someday/maybe stuff which is on iGoogle as well.

3. Print out whatever needs to go with me that I can’t access on a computer (shopping lists mainly)

There’s really no need for me to bring anything anywhere since everywhere I go there’s a computer.

Grayson De Ritis Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 17:55 pm

Has anyone had experience with the latest Treos? A couple of co-workers have them and are pleased, however some well known bloggers have mentioned their downfalls here and there. Thanks!

Cynthia Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 18:55 pm

Leo, I have to say that, like Balfour, when I read your stuff today, I thought you were being a little critical of DA’s setup. I’d have to reread it to see what gave me the idea, but I think it was early on when you said it could get way too tool complicated and heavy, and there beside the text were the graphics for DA’s “stuff.”

I think you’re probably right. . .that somehow today’s blog didn’t quite come across the way you intended it to. The problem with blogs, etc., is that we’re all reading in a real hurry and not really critically. . .which can cause a problem now and then.

Enjoyed the graphics though and am going to check into a couple of things on there that I know would help me out.

Michel Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 18:58 pm

Well done! I also think that simplification is the key to success. The worst situation occurs when a system or some tools introduce even more complication. On my journey with GTD I applied far too many tools and approaches and after some time found myself dealing a remarkable amount of time just tweaking and adapting the system. So I pulled the break, defined two contexts one called @business and one @personal, established two simple systems for each context consisting of:

- paper
- email inbox with calendar
- Computer for text file for quick notes, file repository and Keypass
- physical inbox

Apart of Keypass (my secure password vault) I intentionally do not sync these two systems.

That’s all….

Richard Desautels Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 19:23 pm

Allen’s GTD finally put some order in my life and sent me on a journey to make it work for me. After about six months it comes down to this:

A pocket moleskine for notes on the go.

For to-do’s its the program Toodledo which prints out to an 8 page folded pocketmod that slips into the back flap of the moleskine.

Google Docs

Gmail and Calender

Very limited hard filing system

No system is perfect or can work for multiple people.

The biggest revalation came to me recently, when after trying several ideas, that I am basically a folded up piece of paper in the pocket kind of guy.
Toodledo was really the greatest find for me.

Leo Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 19:49 pm

@Balfour and Cynthia (and Rebecca): You guys are right. I think I wrote the post without thinking about the tone, and it does come off as critical. For example, when I said “This is way too complicated” I really meant “It’s way too complicated for me.”

I only meant to talk about the concepts of simplification of the system and the essentials that I’ve talked about before, illustrating it with the comparison. It ended up sounding like an attack on David Allen and his system, but in truth, it wasn’t meant to be.

Most people here know that I’m a big fan of GTD, although I have simplified my implementation of it, and brought in other important concepts (see Zen To Done or ZTD for more).

@Chris: I just keep a simple list in my Moleskine. Then, every day, I write a list of 3 things I want to do today (Most Important Things or MITS) and I try my best to get them done. I also keep a “Batch” list at the bottom of the page for small tasks that I try to get done all at once, usually later in the day (batch process them). Hope this helps!

Daryl Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 21:21 pm

Yes, Remember the Milk is a fantastic To Do List site. I love it. I’ve probably used it longer than any other To Do List software I’ve previously owned. And this one is free.

Plus, there is useful guidance on using Remember the Milk for Getting Things Done right here:

http://www.geektronica.com/2007-01-15-gtd-with-rtm-getting-things-done-with-remember-the-milk

And here:

http://www.geektronica.com/2007-03-25-gtd-with-remember-the-milk-new-and-improved

Jason Rehmus Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 21:35 pm

@Andy
I use ThinkingRock (http://www.thinkingrock.com.au) for all my lists. It was developed, from the ground up, with GTD in mind. The reports don’t print to 3×5 natively. But, you can very easily modify them to do so. I did it for my favorite report. It took me about 10 minutes and I’m not a programmer. I talk about it on my blog: http://longstride.wordpress.com and it’s been a godsend for me.

William Profet Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 23:17 pm

For my GTD I use:

1) A desktop PC
2) Microsoft OneNote 2007 for general planning and organization
3) MS Money 2007 for personal finances management
4) A cabinet with folders for every project I start

I am trying to keep my desk paperless and my PC desktop - “iconless”. I use the quick launch bar to access applications.

I strive for not using my cell phone as an organizer because I want to have single-point-of-management and this point is my computer. So, when I am away from the PC, I use simple sheet of paper - a printed OneNote’s page - with the appointments and tasks for that day.

Regards to all,
William

Jim Stahly Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 23:29 pm

To me, the beauty of Allen’s system is it gives the list maker I was long before I encountered GTD a tool to process those lists. I’m a combo of a book guy and a tech dude at the same time, and my org system kind of shows that.

I love the smart phone, as it helps me manage my lists and schedule - and because it’s a palm, even the creative aspect. It synchs with my PowerBook, so while that’s two tools, they work together. There’s also a pair of journals - one for work and one for home, depending on what I’m doing, for scribbling the occasional notes from phone calls, etc., when I can’t be multitasking with the Palm.

I’m kind of new to the palm, and I’m a MacHead, but the Treo works well enough that the iPhone better be DAMN good before I make the switch.

Earl Newton Says:

July 2nd, 2007, 23:31 pm

First - love the site, Leo.

Second - although I see how it could be misinterpreted, I got the gist of what you were saying. I have fallen in love with the GTD system (partially because of your site), but one of the turn-offs for me was the multiple methods of handling activities. Paper, programs, PDAs, calendars, inboxs….

I’ve reduced my GTD lifestyle to three things:

1) Email inbox.
2) Long-range planning and follow-up reminders with iGTD (great program)
3) $30 8.5×11 daily personal planner for notes. Big one-day-per pages.

I spend 20 minutes during breakfast slowly going through my obligations for the day, picking the things that’ll be my goals. I copy them down from the iGTD to the planner, and throughout the day, update the iGTD as I finish things.

Technically I have voicemail too, but I usually return calls immediately (before checking it), so it’s not really a problem.

Brett Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 1:12 am

Even I’m sick of hearing about the iPhone, however I now see myself making many adjustments to my digital needs seeing what is now possible. I’m making this post from it now. I was able to browse my news feeds while at the grocery store and lookup our shopping list tag on rememberthemilk.com. Sure, this could be done on any device, but this is incredibly quick and efficient. My inbox is currently RTM, and now with a couple taps I can enter them right into my online system! This changes everything.

Who Me Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 1:24 am

Some people commenting here seem to be confused about David Allen’s recommendations. He strongly states that you should use the appropriate tools for your situation. If you go high tech with a PDA and a computer, great. He also respects people who set up a paper based system. (He used to use Time Design planners before the Palm became usable for him.) The process of GTD is the same.

I’m glad to hear of Leo’s choices as well.

James Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 2:41 am

David Allen is always on the road and has to run a multimillion dollar company from an airline folding tray and a hotel desk. When your quote is $20,000 a day you don’t have the option of saying, “Sorry, that’s only on my desktop computer back in Ojai.”

I hope you realize your dream of quitting your day job, Leo. But if you do, riding Allen’s coattails will be a major reason why you pulled it off.

James Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 3:25 am

…and while I like your stripped-down Zen-To-Done — it’s trademark infringement.

Erik Schumann Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 5:30 am

Thanks for another well-written artikel. I’m a fan of GTD as well, but have an own simplifikation myself. Biggest difference to yours is probably that I’m tied to outlook and use Jello.Dashboard instead of Gmail. And I haven’t gotten up the focus to reduce my inboxes to one. But taht’s another story.

Bill Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 11:13 am

This is right on point. If your system is too complicated, the whole “mind like water” benefit vanishes. I totally agree with your support of paper planners. Paper gives you the ability to capture and process virtually anywhere quickly. Another benefit is that writing is a physical activity that engages your memory, whereas, computer entry typically does not.

Alfonz Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 11:37 am

Re word processors: Most of the time they are unnecessary. Simple text files will do the job perfectly well. I just finished doing a textbook review, for which I sent in all my comments as plain text files. Not to boast (well, OK, a little bit) but the editor wrote that the author had found my comments particularly useful. It’s the content that matters, not the font or the indentation.

rob Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 12:33 pm

David runs a $6m turnover business - perhaps using 8 things to do his GTD is justified for him. Perhaps he could simplify, but where would his business end up?

regeya Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 12:49 pm

Agreed that you should be doing what works for you, and as simple as possible. Example: Many people would a gree with my notion of getting things out of the email inbox ASAP, but might not be fond of my use of a “portable recipe file”, a fanfold file box that holds 3×5 index cards, and would more than likely hate my use of Remind for periodic/scheduled tasks, a UNIXy, geeky, reminder program that uses text files and a, shall we say, *unique* file format. But it works for me and that’s what matters. :-D

Ruckus Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 22:20 pm

Dunno if its too late to respond to this post, but I find it relevant as I am currently reading Allen’s book. As I’ve read on this blog, it can be a bit overwhelming and I am already wondering how folks will decide to DO all the tasks they’ve put in the system. I suppose David would say it is an intuitive process, and Leo has advocated the use of routines to help in this process. My question(s) is, since we’re on the topic of complication, what do people think about putting aside the entire 2 days to collect and process? I just graduated from graduate school and have been going through a major cleaning out of papers, files, closets, etc. (and I am already hyper-organized!). Its been an ongoing process, and although I want to sit down and empty my head of all the “open loops,” I find myself creating lists and lists on scraps of paper while I am at work, on the road, etc. I suppose I am answering my own question here and I really should just sit down and empty, but I am wondering how others handled this step in the GTD process.

As others have attested to, I am also tempted to go out and buy gadgetry, but I am resisting that urge! Another quick question - I am starting lo-tech, but would like to implement a software system in the next few months. After doing some research on this blog and other sites, iGTD sounds like a good bet for Mac users. Any other suggestions would be appreciated as well - free/shareware preferred!

Thx much!

Rebecca Says:

July 4th, 2007, 10:11 am

Hi Ruckus,

I wasn’t super organized, so I definitely needed the two days and it was one of the best time investments I ever made. I did find myself making lists of things to do, but I wrote one item on each scrap of paper and that went into the Inbox to be processed too.

I already had a palm so I stuck with that, (I like it very much), but I probably would not have gone out and bought one and would have just used paper otherwise.

JD Graffam Says:

July 5th, 2007, 12:36 pm

Pen and pad; OSX with Quicksilver and Basecamp; and iPhone with tadalist.com

sunsail Says:

December 19th, 2007, 14:22 pm

I’m super late to this post, but I just picked up D. Allen’s GTD yesterday (after months of reading Zen Habits!). I got bogged down in chapters 4-7, and i haven’t even finished the book yet! My thoughts were, “wait a minute: I thought this was supposed to be simple. Why do i need 30+ project folders? WHERE am i supposed to keep all of these lists? How do you handle personal and work things? I don’t want to cart my work lists home every day… and does he realize how much SPACE 200-400 paper-based general-reference files (p.165) take up??? Has he gone mad???” I haven’t found the answers to all of these questions yet, but i think between you and David, I’ll be just fine. :)

WordPress SEO Says:

December 26th, 2007, 20:40 pm

Thanks for helping me get my productivity consumerism under control.

No kidding - all that stuff just takes up too much place.

Still I’m trying to find myself the right inbox. Email is currently overwhelming me and I’m scattered between Basecamp and offline outliners.

Ideally one has a single inbox.

Dan Says:

April 26th, 2008, 5:59 am

I devised a personal an at http://www.gtdagenda.com, and you are welcome to use the application.

You first need to set Goals in each of your life categories. Although David doesn’t call them categories and goals, but “levels of focus, altitude views, areas of responsability etc”, it’s the same thing.

Then you create Projects in each goal, these being sub-goals that when completed move you forward to the completion of the goal.

Then you have Tasks, actionable steps in each project. Here you can set the famous Next Actions, and also associate the tasks to your Contexts.

Checklists section is great for your repetitive tasks (daily, weekly, monthly or yearly). It generates a series of checkboxes and you check them off as you do the tasks.

Schedules are for the scheduled blocks of time. Even if GTD does not promote scheduling we all have schedules (at work, at school, self-imposed etc). The activities here can be associated with the existing projects.

Calendar section is for events that need to be done or remembered of at a specific date.

Dan,
http://www.gtdagenda.com