ouch...i am guilty
as much as i try to focus on getting things done instead of tweaking my 'systems', the human impulse to make things complicated gets into the way...

there are a lot of 'gtd'ers' that are building complex processes on top of what is at the core, a fairly simple system...

in my case, partly procrastination, but your point of structure so no thought can take place is a good one...i work for a company that could use this as a motto

My biggest problem is procrastination more than overstructuring.

Sure, I started out by experimenting. I tried using ToDo lists on my Palm, then the demo of Life Balance, then text files on my computer (and briefly with PyGTD), but eventually I decided upon using plain old index cards with one action per card. It works extremely well for me, and is really simple to manage to boot. It takes no time to add or review tasks, but still I have trouble deciding that I should be looking for the next task to do. I don't know why. I'm working on that one.

Ouch! Straight in there David! I have to say I agree with you _totally_ David, though I think you may upset a few people with this post ...

Must say I agree with Tom in that my biggest problem is procrastination, but that's a whole different problem.

Good point, David. I'm not sure if you had me in mind when you wrote this, but your post reminds me of a conversation we had soon after you hired me to consult with you and Russell at PDG. At the time, I was using a Notes-based action management system, patterned after one I had designed for the Navy. As I learned new methodologies, I sought to "build" them into my system and make my system the solution, rather than a support tool. You smiled when I proudly showed you what I had done. I think you even said something like "check back with me in two months and let me know if you are still using it."

I've just blogged about that experience and what I've since learned about the need to separate our understanding of the methodology and technology we use to get things done.

http://www.ericmackonline.com/ica/blogs/emonline.nsf/dx/methodology-technology-productivity

It's great to see you active in the blogosphere again, David

I think it cuts both ways. Technology in software or gadgets can get in the way. Yet, they also can inspire you to focus on some element of your GTD processes that may not be working. Sometimes changing software can actually help you discover some of your blind spots.

On the whole though I would say that technology does zap too much time. But, hey you gotta have a hobby :)