commentary

GTD - Q&A

I've been recommending Getting Things Done—The Art of Stress-Free Productivity to friends, co-workers, and techie mailing lists [see my review]. The following are some of the conversations my recommendation engendered.

Same Old?

My reaction to Vicki's quick overview of the book - it sounded like a typical time management system.

Interesting comment.

Interesting to me, because, from the time-management systems I've seen before, the Time Management class I attended a decade ago, and David Allen's comments on other TM systems (scattered through the book) it's really quite different. Perhaps subtly different :-) but different nonetheless.

Getting Things Done

There are four basic ways an idea can affect your Worldview:

It just Is

These are the ideas you grew up with. You don't remember learning them; they just are. These are also some of the beliefs that new perspectives may challenge and change over the course of your life.

Initial Resistance

Some new ideas are difficult to swallow. On first encounter, you resist. Yet slowly, over time, they infiltrate your thoughts until they become part of your Way.

Epiphany

Sometimes a new idea rocks your world. It comes at just the right moment and resonates with your entire being. It's perhaps a good thing these mind-altering moments aren't all that common.

It Just Makes Sense

Then there are the ideas that already contain bits and pieces you recognize. Those bits and pieces make you more open to the new parts. After all, if the person presenting the idea already agrees with you about A, B, and C, perhaps you should try X, Y, and Z.

For me, Getting Things Done—The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen, just makes sense. The ideas are simple, yet profound. They're also very well presented. Before I had finished Chapter 2, I ordered five extra copies to lend to friends and co-workers.