As I read the article, the problem isn't so much that time is wasted as it is that we goof off during "normal" work time, which causes us to work late or on weekends to catch up. As a gross procrastinator, I know exactly how this works.

I think the nature of work has changed enough that putting work off until we "feel like" doing it is simple to accomplish. The blurring line between work and "not work" isn't helping.

The previous post last comment about: "the blurring line between work and "not work" not helping", is right on target. I find it interesting with some of the recent articles about employees not being productive at work, yet no counter discussion about how many employers have set expecations that their employees be in available 24x7, hold conference calls with global peers early mornings and late into the evening or make themselves available while on vacation.

I receive ~75 emails a day, I have conference calls 3 out of 5 days per week that start by 6:00am or end after 9:00pm at night. My previous manager made it a point to call me on a vacation because of a last minute request he received.

GTD has offered some ability to manage my work and personal load at whatever time is most effective and fits the task at hand. I'm not a GTD Black Belt yet, but I am moving in the right direction. Thanks David!

David, I heard your interview on the Seattle radiostation.

Two things.

You really spelled it out -- as you always do.

The lady (from Productivity Pro) that came on after you was saying almost what you were saying, and it felt like she was saying something similar to your philosophy but she never quite reached the finality in her thoughts. Unbeknownst to herself, perhaps, she served as a foil to what you say and she helped illuminate the finality of YOUR thought process. You really wrap things around and call things names that they have naturally, Every time she spoke of an idea similar to yours (or, I should rather say, anyone who has gone through the same journey as you have) she came very close to your explanation, but she could never quite couch it in the same nice surrounding as you do on a regular basis.

In other words, she is a prime example of someone who is on the journey that you once undertook, but she is not quite there yet.

The rest of us are still, in the words of Jack Kerouac -- "On the road." :) And thank you for being such a wonderful guiding light. I am not saying this lightly (but at the same time, i am not putting you on a pedestal - I learned better having lived in Russia fro 20 years :D ). Your terminology choice as well as the actual ideas are really unique in the field, and they drive points home instantly, and the results are often felt within a very short time after implementation.

sorry i'm so blabby tonight, but this is what i logged on to comment about and read all that other good stuff so there ya go.

i listened to the broadcast twice last night and once this afternoon in the shop with diane.

after all these years, i should know this stuff by heart. but i don't... and i'm very happy to receive an impromtu live refresher whenever possible. it was very inspiring and so -- you. clear, honest answers/comments without a bunch of fluff. i related to two things in particular:

1. i need edges around my commitments!

2. last week i so didn't want to write a report i'd been asked to present (at the last minute) to the board that night, i actually wrote an op/ed while stalling for time. talk about squirreling around anything to avoid what i needed to do! i'm a writer... all this other stuff is pre-squirreling to get out of writing.

hope to see you in la!