I read Getting Things Done by David Allen in 2002.

As a refinery engineer covering multiple plants, doing a number of projects, and providing operational support on an ongoing basis - I felt very overwhelmed and not in control of my work.

That’s when I chanced upon this book, which has a very enticing subtitle: The Art of Effortless Productivity.

It’s been 20 years since I read GTD - as the book and the productivity system it teaches is lovingly called by thousands of followers across the globe.

GTD changed how I organized my work, how I looked at my calendar and my to-do list.

While I’ve changed my “system” several times in the last two decades, 3 principles  I learned from GTD are still a part of how I stay organized:

Write things down. Our brain is for thinking, not for holding information. Anything we try to remember occupies our psychic RAM - and interferes with our thinking. Writing things down is a powerful way of keeping your brain free for what it’s supposed to do.

Processing is distinct from Doing. Processing means deciding what you want to do with something in your inbox - you could delete it, delegate it, defer it (make a note on your calendar) or add it to your list of tasks. Separating processing from doing ensures you are not distracted by what’s in your inbox or to-do list when doing

Weekly Reviews. For the past two decades, weekly reviews have kept my process working smoothly. A weekly review  allows me to rethink, reprioritize tasks, and maintain the integrity of my system. I find my effectiveness nosedives whenever I let a couple of weeks pass without doing my Weekly Review.

There are a whole lot of principles and ideas you can pick up from GTD, that are guaranteed to make you more productive. This book is still a best-seller after over two decades.

And if you’d  like a guided introduction to GTD, check out the workshops offered by Calm Achiever

I am not affiliated to Calm Achiever, but have known the founders for a while, and can vouch for their passion and commitment to help people regain control over their inboxes and their lives.

If you’re struggling with your productivity, it’s time to pick up Getting Things Done.

2023/020 #atomicessay #ship30for30