What is GTD and how it works
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
A small guide for those who have vaguely heard of the GTD, but has no idea how to use this method of improving the productivity.
What is GTD?
GTD (Getting Things Done) - a system of productive work and the book of the same name by David Allen business coach. The main objective - to have time to do what is necessary, but spend more time on something that gives you pleasure.Often Russian Getting Things Done translated as "affairs in order," though more precisely it would be "to bring the case to the end." You agree not to stuff more important tasks lists, and complete them. Just for this it is necessary to make lists, set priorities and come up with a schedule.
And why is it necessary?
Working on the principles of GTD, it will be easier to manage their affairs. After all, the main advantage of this technique is that the information about all of your problems are concentrated in one place so that you can switch from one task to another without hesitation.What is the difference between the GTD task list?
In the list we usually fix only the most important things to do, and less significant, small tasks are not recorded. And for good reason. They scroll in the head, distracted by work, and your efficiency drops. One of the main principles of GTD - to fix everything. Thus you will be able to unload your brain and use all its resources to work.And I definitely will approach this system?
GTD is relevant to people of different professions, age and social status. David Allen, who formulated the principles of the system, taught courses for the ISS astronauts, and rock musicians, and for large corporate executives.how said David Allen in an interview Layfhakeru, the system can be equally effective or equally useless for both the teenager and for the CEO of a large company. You need to have a certain mindset to love watching and systematization and planning.
Well, and what exactly should be done?
The GTD system, there are no strict rules. But there are basic principles:- Collect information and fix everything. Record tasks, ideas, recurring business in a notebook or application. In this case, the list must always be at your fingertips, so you can not say, "I will add it later. ' Even the smallest and most insignificant thing you need to record, if you do not do it right now.
- Write explanations. There should be no tasks like "Prepare to leave." Break the big things on the specific executable action (submit such a document to the visa center, buy a towel and sunglasses, to download maps to your phone). With the usual list of problems we spend more time deciphering than to perform. And yes, if you can delegate, delegate.
- Identify priorities. For each item in the list, specify a specific date and time. If necessary, add reminders. In fact, this work and with the list, and calendar. At this stage, you should have the confidence that you are sure about anything will not forget.
- Update lists. Lists become outdated quickly that something was losing relevance, something tolerated in the future. The system should work for you. Therefore, make sure that you always had a list of specific actions, and you can get to work without delay.
- Proceed. When everything is organized, you can begin to implement his plan. Select the desired category of business, see what action is required of you, and work. So you can realize big projects.
All cases should be recorded in a list?
No, better to be a few, but to keep them in one place. For example, keep multiple lists for each work projects, lists of household tasks, lists, to study, lists of ideas and possible projects in the future - at that fancy enough.Are there any special tools?
Of applications and Web services fit Wunderlist, Trello, Any.do, MyLifeOrganized, any zametochnik or ordinary file in «Google Docs." If you are used to take notes on paper, you can use it.There are file system fans. On one shared folder is created desktop in it - several thematic and relevant lists and the necessary materials are stored in each.
In general, choose what is convenient for you.
The main requirement: the tool must be always at your fingertips, so you can move a task from the head down on paper or in an application. For example, when you fit the chief, and requests a new task, and you're working on something else at the time.
How to get more benefit from GTD?
Any production system will not work if you apply it blindly. To get the maximum performance, configure it for themselves, and then everything will turn out.And yes, no system can do it all done for you, so do not get too carried away drawing up the lists, do not forget to act. GTD - is a tool that helps you get rid of stress and do not forget anything. But how do you do with your time is up to you.
Need to try. What else to check on this topic?
Of course, the book by David Allen: they help both beginners and experienced users to feel the philosophy of the GTD, apply it in your work and personal life, learn how to use in practice.- «How to get my affairs in order. The Art of stress-free productivity».
- «How to keep things in order. The principles of full life without stress».
- «How quickly put things in order. 52 principle of effectiveness without stress».
And finally, let us quote a very accurate statement of David Allen:
Your consciousness is intended to provide ideas, not their storage.
So use GTD, invent great ideas and be sure to put them into practice.