Maybe I’m the last person on the planet to read/listen to David Allen’s Getting Things Done, but it’s about time!
So…here’s the cheat sheet (my distillation of the Wikipedia article) :
2 Minute Rule
New task comes in…if it can be done in less than 2 minutes, just DO IT!
Core Principles
Collect
- Capture everything you need to remember
- Store it in your bucket (PDA, day timer, boxes, file cabinet)
- Process buckets at least once a week
Process
- Start at top
- 1 item at a time
- Don’t put anything back in the bucket
- For items that require action, do one of:
- do it (2 minutes or less)
- delegate it
- defer it
- For items requiring no action, do one of:
- file for reference
- trash it
- incubate for possible future action
Organize
- Next actions
- Every item must be assigned a next action
- Projects
- Periodically review to be sure it’s moving
- Must have a next action assigned
- Waiting for
- Must have list of “waiting fors”
- Review list
- Check action due or reminders needed
- Someday/Maybe
- list of items that you may want to do someday
Review
- Next actions – review daily
- Projects, waiting for, and someday…at least weekly
Do
Make it simple and fun to do the actions…if you can!
Organization and Filing System
Calendars – should only be used for appointments and deadlines
Filing system – whatever you like…suggests alphabetically ordered folders. If something doesn’t fit an existing folder add a new one
Tickler file (43 folders) – suggests using 12 folders for the months…31 folders for days of the current month
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