Getting Things Done

Getting Things Done is a book by David Allen that has achieved a certain level of cult status among productivity gurus. It’s easy to explain but hard to implement.

  1. Write everything you need to get done into an inbox
  2. Process your inbox regularly. If a task takes two minutes or less, do it. If not, move it to a context where it will be done later.
  3. Create projects if a task has two or more steps
  4. Keep a future list.
  5. Keep a someday/maybe list
  6. Run a Weekly Review regularly.

(I haven’t actually read it but have digested numerous summaries.)

This is fine by itself. Writing every task down in a brain dump helps clear your mind, and is a good example of the Extended Mind theory. Checking on them regularly is also a good idea. I do both all the time.

What I dislike about the process is a certain amount of jargon and Tool Fundamentalism People argue endlessly about the right way to implement the process, when they should just take what works for them. For me, the multiple lists and lack of prioritisation don’t really work, so I ditched them.

Also, as Self Help Ignores Systemic Solutions, this means Productivity is a Plaster.

Notes mentioning this note

Interstitial Journaling
A form of [[Journaling]]. Instead of sitting down and reflecting after the events, you rapidly log how you feel at...
Open loops
Productivity is a Plaster
Productivity can help you think clearer, but it is often used as a plaster instead of applying systemic change.
Weekly Review
This is the most important takeaway from [[Getting Things Done]] in my opinion. While doing things is all very well,...
Tool fundamentalism