getting things done
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Notes from Getting Things Done by David AllenTRANSCRIPT
G E T T I N G T H I N G S D O N E
T h e A r t o f S t r e s s - F r e e P r o d u c t i v i t y
B o o k B y D a v i d A l l e n S l i d e s b y R y a n B a t t l e s
A L L E N , D AV I D . G E T T I N G T H I N G S D O N E : T H E A R T O F S T R E S S - F R E E P R O D U C T I V I T Y. N E W Y O R K : V I K I N G ,
2 0 0 1 .
With the societal shift to knowledge work, new behaviors and tools are required to
successfully manage workflow.
Too much "stuff" stored in a person’s short-term memory can blow a fuse
The conscious mind is a focusing tool, not a storage place.
One must write down the outcomes they wish to achieve
For every outcome, one must determine the "next physical action" required to move the
situation forward
This next physical action must be organized in a system one reviews regularly
There are five stages of mastering workflow: to collect, process, organize, review and do.
Collection tools include the physical in-basket, paper-based and electronic note-
taking devices, voice-recording devices and email.
Every open loop must be in your collection system and out of your head.
You must have as few collection buckets as you can get by with.
You must empty them regularly.
If an item is not actionable, trash it, put it into a tickler file, or a reference file.
If an item is actionable, what is the next action? If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it. If
more, delegate or defer it.
Project Planning Steps:
#1 - Define the purpose and principles
#2 - Envision the outcome
#3 - Brainstorm how to get from here to there
#4 - Organize sequences and priorities
#5 - Identify the next actions
To get started, take several hours or days to dump all of your projects and actions from
running around in your head, living on post-it notes, etc.
Get your inbox to empty by acting, delegating, or deferring.
Never put anything back into "in."
To keep the system working, it is key that one continues to trust the system.
Review the daily calendar and tickler folders.
Take time each week for a weekly review.
The Six-Level Model for Reviewing Your Own Work is presented in terms of altitude:
50,000 + feet: Life
40,000 feet: Three- to five-year visions
30,000 feet: One-to two-year goals
20,000 feet: Areas of responsibility
10,000 feet: Current projects
Runway: Current actions
One should use the mind to think about things, rather than of things.
Before the end of a meeting, one should ask, "So what’s the next action here?" to
increase clarity
Even the slightest increase in the use of natural planning can bring significant
improvement.
T H I S H A S B E E N A B R I E F O V E R V I E W O F T H E M A I N I D E A S O F G E T T I N G T H I N G S D O N E .
!
B U Y T H E B O O K F O R T H E F U L L E X P E R I E N C E !
A L L E N , D AV I D . G E T T I N G T H I N G S D O N E : T H E A R T O F S T R E S S - F R E E P R O D U C T I V I T Y.
N E W Y O R K : V I K I N G , 2 0 0 1 . ‘
A L L P R O D U C T A N D C O M PA N Y N A M E S A R E T R A D E M A R K S O R R E G I S T E R E D T R A D E M A R K S
O F T H E I R R E S P E C T I V E H O L D E R S . U S E O F T H E M D O E S N O T I M P LY A N Y A F F I L I AT I O N
W I T H O R E N D O R S E M E N T B Y T H E M .
D O W N L O A D T H E B U S I N E S S B O O K C O L L E C T I O N
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