How to effectively use the GTD system
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
Why do we need this system
Getting Things Done (GTD) - known system of productive work, proposed by David Allen. When its use absolutely all incoming data is recorded and broken down into lists. The goal - to bring all things to the end, giving more time to what is really important.
great progress can be achieved GTD system. Here are some of them:
- Do you deal with a lot of problems.
- You become more confident.
- You prokrastiniruete and less distracted.
- You will have more confidence: around know that you can always bring it all to the end.
- You often invited to work, because the thorough approach to business demand.
- You are changing for the better - realize that you are really important, become curious, start to learn, to build a strong relationship with people and get rid of old patterns of perception that you stir.
- You earn more.
- You are able to create a successful startup or build a great company.
- You can share your ideas - in the book, blog, or lectures.
But to get all these benefits, you need to understand how to effectively use
system and find out what it is hampered. Leo Babauta, writer and author of the popular blog Zen Habits, saysThat it needs to do.How to use the GTD system more efficient
Find out what prevents you from being productive
Habit of putting off the case. You did not dare to approach the problem due to its complexity, either you feel it is not right or you did not understand it at all. This is procrastination.
The habit of distractions. You have still got to get started, but you then switch to another task. All the same doubts and uncertainties predispose you to that, to put it in favor of the easier classes or just start killing time. Such constant switching causes loss of concentration. In this case, you will seemingly endlessly occupied.
Perfectionism. You are a long time can not get to work, because now for this inappropriate time. Or postpone its completion, because it turned out not ideal.
For example, you want to start a blog, but do not do it, because it has not yet found the ideal for him platform and theme, you do not have enough free time and still not have a list of brilliant ideas. Or you write an article and publish it, because the material still need to finalize - in fact, you just do not dare.
Environment. People tear down your plans, do not do anything on time, all the complicate, spoil, complaining and annoying. And, relying on other people to achieve their goals is sometimes difficult. Most often it is just an excuse myself.
Distractions. These are people, any event, problems. They are prevent you work. Something you can keep under control, something not.
Fatigue. You are tired, hungry, exhausted all his energy, confused, or you're bored. These problems hinder concentration and bringing cases to the end.
In this case, you just need to recharge: take a nap, take a walk, meditate.
Or grasp the tasks that do not require a lot of energy: disassemble the mail, do some administrative routine. If fatigue is observed for a long time, review your diet and sleep.
Fears, doubts, feelings of helplessness and self-doubt. They are the basis of most of the above-mentioned obstacles.
Determine what you are missing to work more effectively
In selected locations and will be solving the problems mentioned above.
Ability to collocate priorities. Can succeed if important tasks to devote most of the time. When you are busy with unimportant things, or constantly switching between classes, you are less effective. It is necessary to choose one major issue and concentrate only on it.
Gradually, you will learn how to determine which tasks and projects are of great value to you. Is answer message is more important than to write an article? What is better for your career, happiness and health?
The ability to start the business. It is a tendency to postpone all is one of the most common and distressing problems facing towards the goal. Therefore, the most important thing in the performance of tasks - start.
Focus on the ground, the slightest step. So small, as possible. Create an environment in which to start work will be easier. For example, when he wanted Leo to develop the habit of running, he focuses only on what to put on sneakers and get out of the house.
Work sprints. This approach helps to cope with multi-tasking and distractions. This technique is also called Pomodoro. It is based on the division of work at short intervals of 15-25 minutes (sprints), during which the need to concentrate on one task without being distracted to anything else.
This is followed by a short break, after which you start a new sprint. If you've never used this method, it is possible to arrange a pair of working segments per day, and a week later start to gradually increase their number.
Managing the list of tasks. It helps to concentrate and cope with all planned. But try not to complicate things. Find a simple program planner, fill in it everything you need to make in the near future, and every day, choose on the performance of public affairs you focus today.
Plan three major and three minor tasks for the day - this number can vary depending on the length of your working day, the complexity of tasks and the speed of their implementation.
The ability to make mistakes. perfectionism prevents to bring the case to the end. Therefore, take care not only about the perfection of your work, how much of it is complete. Stick to the rules of "lousy first draft" of the writer Anne Lamott.
She is convinced that the only way to get good at writing (and start doing it at all) - and a faint sketch on anything not suitable draft. After a while you go back to the result and otshlifuete it.
Work in uncertainty mode. You will often chase the fears and difficulties. Therefore it is very useful to learn how to work in a state of uncertainty: keep yourself in their hands, not to hide from the problems and inner experience and not to complain.
To do this, each time, when you notice for a similar, set aside everything and try to feel their condition. Take it. Pay attention to your physical sensations. Ensure that the uncertainty and discomfort, there is nothing to worry about. Learn to appreciate the moments for what they are.
The ability to see the big picture. One thing to be fully focused on a single task, and quite another - to be able to look at the situation as a whole. The overall analysis of the situation should be carried out in the morning and evening, as well as a couple of times during the day - in case you need to adjust the action plan.
All of us at times distracted, interrupted and confronted with unforeseen difficulties. To stay productive, we must learn to change the focus when you need it.
The ability to be responsible. Primarily, this means not blaming other people in all the difficulties that you encountered on the way to achieving the goal. Take full responsibility for your part on.
Be a leader - to take the initiative follows the success of the whole team, even if you are in a simple slave.
Open communication. Such that everyone clearly understand their responsibilities and boundaries, as well as the consequences of non-compliance. This will help create a structure in which all its members can work easier and more efficient. Try to treat people sincerely and with a positive, in spite of all their shortcomings.
Ability to plan. The abundance of tasks diary It does not contribute to achieving the goal. Instead, make a minimum list of answers to simple questions. How to start the day, to complete important tasks? How to carry out sprints to no you did not distract? For that you need to take responsibility? When should I make out emails? At what time to schedule a meeting? How will you assess your day?
The answers will help to plan the day. I do not aspire for it to be perfect. Analyzing what is happening, eventually you'll find the best option.
Where to start improving
Make a simple plan. It is not necessary to try to learn all the missing skills at once. For a start is better to concentrate on the first four, you will practice every day:
- Prioritization and definition of tasks for the day.
- Work sprints.
- Meditation - when you feel fear, uncertainty or insecurity.
- Analysis at the end of the day, and the adaptation plan.
Note that you will be doing and how. The resulting plan show someone from acquaintances and report to him every day for a week. Promise each week to talk about their successes, difficulties and how you prepare for the new seven-day period.
Every night, pay 10 minutes on an analysis of how your day went and if you have completed all the points of the plan. Keep a record of what happened that prevent, as much as possible to speed up progress.
Over time, sprints, meditation and other skills will give you easier. Then start to develop new effective approaches, gradually improving its system. The main thing - do not forget about the practice.
see also📈🧐
- Guide to GTD for beginners
- «GTD works even in space." Layfhakera interview with his father Productivity by David Allen
- How to get more done in the new year
- How to choose a more productive system