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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Surrounded by a lot of fluff specifically targeted at corporate America (in the late 90s) there are some great practical ideas and really good advice in this book.
There are similar books mostly consisting of catchy positive phrases that don't really mean anything and you're not sure how to use. Reading this book actually gets you thinking about exact things you can change/do differently, both in your work and personal life. It explains the main principle of the book with great simple examples and I found it very useful.
It's such a quick and easy read I didn't mind going through/skipping the parts that don't apply to me. Great book to listen to rather than read.
There are similar books mostly consisting of catchy positive phrases that don't really mean anything and you're not sure how to use. Reading this book actually gets you thinking about exact things you can change/do differently, both in your work and personal life. It explains the main principle of the book with great simple examples and I found it very useful.
It's such a quick and easy read I didn't mind going through/skipping the parts that don't apply to me. Great book to listen to rather than read.
I found this book through a friend who always seemed so organized. When I mentioned it to him, he told me that this book was the secret to his success. As someone who is always looking for help in this area I promptly went to the library and checked it out, and immediately it got lost in the piles on my desk.
I received the renewal notice and remembered I had it somewhere and should find it if not read it. So after a bit of digging... It had been 3 weeks... I found it and flipped through it. I was immediately struck by the charts and lists. I wanted to read this book with a highlighter and turn down pages. I renewed the book and got out my pencil and stickies. After I read through it I realized that there were way to many stickies and pencil marks... I had to buy the book and work my way through it.
So I erased the pencil marks, and removed the stickies, returned the book and immediately bought it.
I have implemented this system step by step. I fall off the wagon, and have to get back on, but his system can accommodate that. Unlike other systems there is no shaming about who,you have been... Just acknowledgement and hope for the future.
I would have given it 5 stars, but this book is missing one crucial thing... The author doesn't come with it.
The real reason I gave it 4 stars is that this book is a system in it self as a stand-alone, but there are many other add-ons you can buy to keep you in the system. I keep wondering what I am missing by not buying the updates, or subscribing to his blog.
But as a bible for home to start this book is fabulous!!!
I received the renewal notice and remembered I had it somewhere and should find it if not read it. So after a bit of digging... It had been 3 weeks... I found it and flipped through it. I was immediately struck by the charts and lists. I wanted to read this book with a highlighter and turn down pages. I renewed the book and got out my pencil and stickies. After I read through it I realized that there were way to many stickies and pencil marks... I had to buy the book and work my way through it.
So I erased the pencil marks, and removed the stickies, returned the book and immediately bought it.
I have implemented this system step by step. I fall off the wagon, and have to get back on, but his system can accommodate that. Unlike other systems there is no shaming about who,you have been... Just acknowledgement and hope for the future.
I would have given it 5 stars, but this book is missing one crucial thing... The author doesn't come with it.
The real reason I gave it 4 stars is that this book is a system in it self as a stand-alone, but there are many other add-ons you can buy to keep you in the system. I keep wondering what I am missing by not buying the updates, or subscribing to his blog.
But as a bible for home to start this book is fabulous!!!
3.5*
I read the updated version (2015) which focuses a great deal on digital clutter and workflow.
I finally took the time to read this because I have a few colleagues who swear by this methodology. When you work in an environment with many different inputs during the day, it’s hard to keep track of what’s the most valuable thing to do in any moment. I had been using David Allen’s approach to sorting actions for my email inbox for months based on their recommendations. It’s pretty great.
The book itself could be maybe shortened. I think reading a detailed summary and some podcasts would be been enough, but I wasn’t unhappy reading it.
I did enjoy the final chapters about the “getting things done” approach fits with Martin Seligman’s positive psychology and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory, as I’d read those before.
I like that Allen spent the time to suggest that being productive at work in the knowledge sector should not be about what you get done for your employer from a capitalism view. Instead, more that for knowledge workers, fulfilment comes from doing the right work at the right time and not spinning your wheels with less important tasks.
I read the updated version (2015) which focuses a great deal on digital clutter and workflow.
I finally took the time to read this because I have a few colleagues who swear by this methodology. When you work in an environment with many different inputs during the day, it’s hard to keep track of what’s the most valuable thing to do in any moment. I had been using David Allen’s approach to sorting actions for my email inbox for months based on their recommendations. It’s pretty great.
The book itself could be maybe shortened. I think reading a detailed summary and some podcasts would be been enough, but I wasn’t unhappy reading it.
I did enjoy the final chapters about the “getting things done” approach fits with Martin Seligman’s positive psychology and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory, as I’d read those before.
I like that Allen spent the time to suggest that being productive at work in the knowledge sector should not be about what you get done for your employer from a capitalism view. Instead, more that for knowledge workers, fulfilment comes from doing the right work at the right time and not spinning your wheels with less important tasks.
For a long time users of GTD, this new edition doesn't offer very much new. In fact, if you're truly familiar with GTD you'll recognize a lot of the phrases verbatim from things that David has written and said before. That said, this new edition is more forward-looking than the old, and the choice not to reference any specific technological tools makes it more timeless than the original. The chapter on psychology, cognition, and the brain is all new and very fascinating for people who enjoy pop psychology. I gained a few new books for my TBR list from that chapter. All told, the method is still as good as it always has been, so while this isn't a complete rewrite of the original (which it didn't need to be) it's still deserves its space on my e-shelf.
This book was helpful. I still haven't honed the GTD process as well as I'd like, but the building blocks are there, and I feel I can explain the system and its value.
Listening to the audibook might have made it harder to grasp its contents though.
Listening to the audibook might have made it harder to grasp its contents though.
A classic with a legendary status. Would like to see a version that is not so geared towards the offline, though.
Well, hell, as someone who reads 100 books a year, the fact that it took me 3 mo to finish a book called, “Getting Things Done” is evidence of how riveted I was.
Honestly, only one star for my enjoyment level, the 2nd is because I NEED to implement some of these strategies and SHOULD be more organized. The problem is I’m the type of guy that gets off on messing with the type of neurotically organized people who would have paper clips evenly spaced and perfectly parallel on their desk.
So, the entire book, it kind of just wanted to punch the author in the face.
...and then scatter his paper clips.
Oh, speaking of punching people in the face... the audiobook narrator repeatedly said, “imporDant”.
Yeah, he’s also getting punched in the face.
Or, at least a karate chop to the neck meat.
Anywho, despite all that, here are my notes on the read:
You have to think about your stuff more than you realize but not as much as you’re afraid you might.
Outcome thinking
When you unstick your workflow by getting control of the items in your “in basket” you will be incredibly more prepared and creative when tackling the bigger-picture goals/objectives.
How?
Horizontal and vertical action management:
Horizontal control maintains coherence across all the activities in which are involved. (Action management)
Vertical control manager syncing up and down the track of individual topics. (Project planning)
You’ll always have a cluttered mind if you don’t get things out of your mind. If all of the unfinished tasks you have to do keep popping up in your mind that’s an inefficient use have your mental RAM.
Like computer RAM, your brain only has so much capacity to think about things at a given time until you get overwhelmed. Only after you clear the items off your “desktop” do you realize the peace that comes from having a clean mental workspace.
The five-stage method for managing workflow:
1. Collect things that command your attention
2. Process what they mean and what to do about them
3. Organize the results
4. Review as option to choose
5. Do
COLLECT
Some things you have to do are collected for you (email, voicemail, etc).
Others you collect along the way (pile of mail, dry cleaning that needs to be brought in, something you need to fix). Either way, these things need a resolution.
Collection tools: Collection basket, paper-based note-taking, email, digital not talking, etc
In order for collection device to be effective, it needs three things:
1. it must be stored out of your head
2. Have as few collection devices as possible
3. Empty them regularly
PROCESS
Having a good inbox does nothing for you if you can’t then effectively process
Those items. This step is generally the most critical improvement people make.
What do you need to ask yourself an answer about item? What is the next action?
Do it. Delegate it. Differ it.
Project = any desired result which requires more than one action step.
ORGANIZE
Next action categories: actions that need to be done on a specific date or time (calendar), actions that need to be done as soon as possible (next action list), actions that others need to do (waiting for list).
REVIEW
For non-action items: Trash, incubation (snooze), & reference (labels/folders)
DO
1. Context
2. time available
3. energy available
4. priority
Predefined work, work as it shows up, or defining your work.
The natural planning model:
1. Defining purpose and principles
2. Outcome visioning
3. Brainstorming
4. Organizing
5. Identify next actions
The reactive style is the reverse of the above.
WHY? Understanding your purpose:
Asking “why?” defines success, creates decision making criteria, aligns resources, motivates, clarifies focus, and expands options.
Processing guidelines for your inbox:
1. Process the top item 1st
2. Process one item at a time
3. Never put anything back into “in“
Honestly, only one star for my enjoyment level, the 2nd is because I NEED to implement some of these strategies and SHOULD be more organized. The problem is I’m the type of guy that gets off on messing with the type of neurotically organized people who would have paper clips evenly spaced and perfectly parallel on their desk.
So, the entire book, it kind of just wanted to punch the author in the face.
...and then scatter his paper clips.
Oh, speaking of punching people in the face... the audiobook narrator repeatedly said, “imporDant”.
Yeah, he’s also getting punched in the face.
Or, at least a karate chop to the neck meat.
Anywho, despite all that, here are my notes on the read:
You have to think about your stuff more than you realize but not as much as you’re afraid you might.
Outcome thinking
When you unstick your workflow by getting control of the items in your “in basket” you will be incredibly more prepared and creative when tackling the bigger-picture goals/objectives.
How?
Horizontal and vertical action management:
Horizontal control maintains coherence across all the activities in which are involved. (Action management)
Vertical control manager syncing up and down the track of individual topics. (Project planning)
You’ll always have a cluttered mind if you don’t get things out of your mind. If all of the unfinished tasks you have to do keep popping up in your mind that’s an inefficient use have your mental RAM.
Like computer RAM, your brain only has so much capacity to think about things at a given time until you get overwhelmed. Only after you clear the items off your “desktop” do you realize the peace that comes from having a clean mental workspace.
The five-stage method for managing workflow:
1. Collect things that command your attention
2. Process what they mean and what to do about them
3. Organize the results
4. Review as option to choose
5. Do
COLLECT
Some things you have to do are collected for you (email, voicemail, etc).
Others you collect along the way (pile of mail, dry cleaning that needs to be brought in, something you need to fix). Either way, these things need a resolution.
Collection tools: Collection basket, paper-based note-taking, email, digital not talking, etc
In order for collection device to be effective, it needs three things:
1. it must be stored out of your head
2. Have as few collection devices as possible
3. Empty them regularly
PROCESS
Having a good inbox does nothing for you if you can’t then effectively process
Those items. This step is generally the most critical improvement people make.
What do you need to ask yourself an answer about item? What is the next action?
Do it. Delegate it. Differ it.
Project = any desired result which requires more than one action step.
ORGANIZE
Next action categories: actions that need to be done on a specific date or time (calendar), actions that need to be done as soon as possible (next action list), actions that others need to do (waiting for list).
REVIEW
For non-action items: Trash, incubation (snooze), & reference (labels/folders)
DO
1. Context
2. time available
3. energy available
4. priority
Predefined work, work as it shows up, or defining your work.
The natural planning model:
1. Defining purpose and principles
2. Outcome visioning
3. Brainstorming
4. Organizing
5. Identify next actions
The reactive style is the reverse of the above.
WHY? Understanding your purpose:
Asking “why?” defines success, creates decision making criteria, aligns resources, motivates, clarifies focus, and expands options.
Processing guidelines for your inbox:
1. Process the top item 1st
2. Process one item at a time
3. Never put anything back into “in“
I feel It's not relevant now. The examples used to explain main ideas are very basic examples like who plans for a dinner using a productivity system.
It maybe quite famous in the last decade but now today.
It maybe quite famous in the last decade but now today.
I think a lot of the productivity people who’ve influenced me were probably influenced by this book, so it was a lot of review and the version I got from my library was a bit dated, but the main idea here is really useful and it did inspire me to think about some longer term goals and projects. Easy, approachable style, not based in shame or guilt.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the stuff you need to manage and do, this is definitely worth a read. The “stuff” flowchart is a keeper.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the stuff you need to manage and do, this is definitely worth a read. The “stuff” flowchart is a keeper.
I’m sure the system will work, it makes sense. But the book itself was too long, and too dense. It was a slog to get through