Book Review

[dancerjodi]

I just finished Getting things Done – The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. I had heard about this book a few times in different places and finally picked it up.

Its funny, but his method of organizing and getting things done is a lot like what I’ve been doing (albeit more defined). This book would be something that could help you get things done at work, with friends, with your self, and professionally (whether you’re doing what Allen calls ‘knowledge work’ what many of us do today – or more traditional forms of work).

Random thoughts jotted down while reading:

Knowledge Work – "you have to think about your stuff more than you realize but not as much as you’re afraid you might."

Manage actions to manage your stuff.

Get small stuff out of the way (bottom up approach) vs intellectual top down approach.

"There is no real way to achieve the kind of relaxed control I’m promising if you keep things only in your head." (*cough* Brian *cough*)

Horizontal focus of getting things done:

1. Collect (info on the incompletes)
-Everything should be in a system and out of your head
-Have few collection buckets as possible
-Empty collection buckets regularly

2. Process
-What is it?
-Is it actionable? No (trash, hold for later, keep as reference) or Yes
-If actionable, What are you committed to? What is net step(s)? If a project (more than one step) put onto project list.
-Do it (if short task), delegate it or defer it.

3. Organize (what you are doing, holding, filing away for reference).
-Set up reminders.
-Collect project support material
-Calendars, next action lists, waiting for lists, trash/someday/file lists

4. Review weekly

5. Do
-Model 1 – consider context, time available, energy available, priority
-Model 2 – consider predefined work, work as it shows up, defining work
-Model 3 – consider now projects, current projects, general areas of responsibility, 1-2 year goals, 3-5 year goals, life.

Vertical Focus – getting a project under control, identifying solution, ensuring the right steps are determined (higher level). ‘Back of the envelope’ planning, the most productive. "Natural Planning". Should be done before looking at horizontally/detailed
1. Define purpose/principles
2. Outcome visioning
3. Brainstorming
4. Organizing (components, sequences, priorities)
5. Identify next actions

Tricks for Stress Free Organizing/Productivity
-Set aside the Time
-Set up the space
-Get the tools you need
-Clear area of other commitments
-Gather your stuff before you start processing
-Mental cleaning/mind sweep

Scanning:
-Top item first
-One item at a time
-Nothing goes back into “in” without thought/planning/action.

Keeping organized:
-Look at calendar first
-Then look at action list
-Weekly review and bigger picture review

Other:
-Keep negative feelings in check, don’t make agreements with yourself you can’t keep.
-We need to do intelligent ‘dumbing down’ but may neglect to.
-Important elements: clarity, accountability, productivity, empowerment,

Comments

[deadwinter.livejournal.com]

*mind meld*

I bought this book too. I haven't touched it yet. Good reason to get started.

[jetgrrl01.livejournal.com]

Yay! I love the GTD method. And even if you don't suddenly do everything strictly by the book, there's lots of useful bits that help out. Making folder for everything, even a whole folder for that one lone business card from a possible pet-sitter, really made things alot cleaner for me.

[silentq.livejournal.com]

It's taken me ages, but for the "Tricks for Stress Free Organizing/Productivity" section, I finally apply those methods when I'm baking - saves me a ton of stress knowing that I've got all my ingredients lined up in a clear space to work. :)