Why is GTD systems often do not work?

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If you are using the best, in your opinion, the GTD system, but do not see the results, it is unlikely the problem is in the system, rather the problem is the belief that the perfect built-do list allows you to perform 10 times more work than your Colleagues. Neither method of increasing productivity will not be effective for you, until you start to think realistically. On this and talk in the article.

It is impossible to do "everything" in one day

Every day you have a lot of things that definitely need to do today. You like and you know that it is impossible to do everything at once, but nevertheless persists in trying to prove otherwise, which ultimately leads to the feeling that the whole day you spinning like a squirrel in a cage, but nothing like this and did not have time. Avoid such feelings is simple - you need to prioritize. Decide what is really needed to do today, and that may well wait until tomorrow. After completing the day a small task list, you will feel the progress, so the next day with great enthusiasm will take over the case.

You've probably already thought about what is, in fact, difficult - to set priorities. You can not always understand what was more important than today. In his video blog known blogger ze Frank gives this advice: Make a list of all the things that you need to finish, and then start reading from the end of the list, listening to their inner feelings. If you know that the item is really important, leave it, if there is the slightest doubt - ruthlessly expunged. The remaining cases begin to perform the first in the list.

Remember that in a day 24 hours, you are limited this time. Scheduling too much, in the evening you will be disappointed by the fact that once again did not have time. It is better to put yourself on the contrary very simple goal, which you just cope. And then to do some additional work. At the end of the day you will feel like a winner, because in addition to-do you have time to do something else.

Forget multitasking and focus on one thing

Person is very difficult to work in multitasking mode, but still many people like to do it, because it feels more active and productive. Every five minutes, we can interrupt the execution of a case to answer by phone or e-mail message. Multitasking strongly scatters our attention and here's why: Each time you switch your attention to one task to another, you will then return to the first painfully, remembering on what you We stopped.

In a perfect world we would be able to completely abandon the multi-tasking, but real nevertheless there are situations when it is impossible to avoid. In this case it is necessary to compromise by using, for example, the technique of "tomato planning"When you are within 25 minutes of focusing solely on the single task, not allowing themselves to be distracted.

Work on one task, and after 25 minutes, review the list and select the following, which currently requires your immediate attention. So you will be able to multitask, but keep the focus on the specific case.

Carefully choose wisely and use of productivity tips

Many articles written on the topic of productivity and efficient work, endlessly, new techniques and hacks, but none of this will not help you if you do not solve problems as described above. And even thinking of their need to learn how to properly and appropriately apply the GTD system.

As I mentioned in one of our postsIf you care about what you're doing, you do not need the system, lists and reminders. You will not be difficult to keep in mind what you need to do. If the task you decide to be global, then you probably will break it into pieces, write a list of serial Affairs, but do it without thinking, "Oh, I apply GTD!» So what do we need GTD system and the other on productivity tips? In order to make timely routine and boring things: paying bills, phone calls, reports. This is what you want with all my heart to postpone for "tomorrow", which still can not come.

However, the productivity of any system should not be used blindly, you need to consider before you can "sharpen" it for yourself to get the most out. GTD system - it is not a magic wand that you want to apply, clearly following the instructions, it is a tool, which you want to work carefully set up, examining it before yourself, and those practices that make you feel satisfied at the end of day.