January 27, 2006

Ashes and snow

A few days ago our creative director, Jim Rider, told us "you have to see the exhibit at the pier!" (Santa Monica) Jim's not usually that effusive about anything, so Kathryn managed to get there, and when we were in Santa Monica for meetings yesterday, she got me to go with her again. Truly stunning stuff. It's worth a trip to see Gregory Colbert's work, plus the movable building it's housed in, by Shigero Ban. It'll be at the Santa Monica Pier until May 14. Here's a taste.

Posted by David at 10:34 AM | Comments (6)

January 18, 2006

Great article on GTD in current American Way mag

Includes some nice comments from some of our clients out there. If you don't fly AA, there's an online version. Chris Tucker, the author, spent quite a bit of time interviewing folks, took RoadMap seminar...did his homework.

Posted by David at 04:21 PM | Comments (1)

January 03, 2006

Newsday press...

Another pop culture news feature on dealing with stuff... I'm quoted, along with a few others, on dealing with technology clutter. Probably why GTD paperback has been in the top 60's rank on amazon for the last couple of days.

Posted by David at 10:04 PM

December 05, 2005

A free 2-day GTD seminar in Ojai

Wayne Pepper, a new addition to our full-time staff, is completing his training with us as a coach and seminar faciilitator, and he's conducting a complete two-day seminar (Getting Things Done: Managing Workflow, Projects, and Priorities) in Ojai, December 19 & 20. It's free to the general public, as long as space is available. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please have them contact Anne Gennett in our office at 805-646-8432 or anne@davidco.com. Wayne is great - he's already a major talent in presenting self-development educational materials, and will be jumping full bore into working with our clients in the new year. (I'll be there too, as much to steal his jokes as anything else...!)

Posted by David at 12:51 AM | Comments (2)

December 04, 2005

Thinking on the Mac...

Jim Fallows is ahead of me on this one - his article today in the NY Times about Mac-based thinking tools. Robert Peake, our CTO, has also written some stuff about GTD and the Mac. I have to admit to Mac envy - I've wished for a while to be bi-digital (PC/Mac) and just haven't had the real need or carved the time to hop in yet. But I can feel it coming - there's thunder on the horizon. I've been interviewed by Stephen Cass for upcoming issue of Spectrum (the association rag of IEEE), and he assures me that the new Apple operating system might finally have the power to become an engine for some of the real GTD methods I know could be digitalized from the ground up (though no one I've seen seems to have really come close to the potential yet).

Posted by David at 11:02 AM | Comments (11)

November 21, 2005

Creative Canadian...

Michael Bungay Stanier sent me a copy of his very creative book, Get Unstuck & Get Going, several months ago. He's apparently a fan of GTD, wanted to start a conversation, since our work obviously overlaps. I've unfortunately only had time to skim his stuff, but it's pretty cool. He just sent me a link to his newest little piece, the Eight Principles of Fun, which is worth stopping what you're doing for a few minutes and letting it take you on its trip.

Posted by David at 12:51 AM | Comments (3)

November 01, 2005

Very cool little travel device for road warriors

I just got the way cool little Linksys Travel Router, which lets me run wirelessly in my hotel room when the hotel only has wired hi-speed. And a great feature is when I travel with Kathryn, we both can use our two laptops wirelessly simultaneously through the one connection. It seems to speed it up, too. Had a problem with the retractable plug, but otherwise a great accessory.

Posted by David at 07:03 AM | Comments (6)

October 18, 2005

We're looking for a good trainer/coach in NE U.S.

We need to add another full time seminar presenter to our roster - someone based in the U.S. northeast corridor, preferably the NYC area. They have to have experience in training and presenting to groups and ideally also one-on-one with folks in a coaching capacity. Got to be familiar with GTD methodology and "walk the talk" as it were. Other requirements: excellent communications skills, comfortable with current desktop technologies, willing to travel extensively. My staff has asked that I say only email or resumes via mail will be considered. Responding to this blog is cool, but nothing here will be considered an application.

Pass the word if you know someone who might fit with us.

Send resumes/queries to:

JobApplicants@davidco.com
or
David Allen Company
PO Box 507
Oak View CA 93022

Posted by David at 12:59 AM | Comments (2)

October 12, 2005

New stuff in the Info management space

I spent a little time in the last twenty four hours with two different software company demos. Yesterday I was walked through a demo of the "Personal Information Network" by Ashwani Sirohi, a co-founder of Trimergent Corp. It's basically a way to tag files and URL's (and some MS-based objects like calendar entries) anywhere, group them together and share them with people or teams, who can then access that grouping in a customized portal-like manner. Interesting idea, they have a web-based demo.

Then last night flew up to San Francisco and was taken to dinner by Deva Hazariki and Brad Meador, the guys who are heading up ClearContext, an Outlook add-in that does some neat sorting and sifting of the inbox so you can navigate around it more efficiently in the weird-time windows during the day. They apparently have a bunch of GTD fans and even GTD Add-In users who find ClearContext a useful tool. I'm not a big supporter of building a lot of power in the in-box itself that might have people keep stuff there, but I did recognize how nice it would be have e-mail sorted on the fly with the algorithms they've built in.

It's always amazing to me how the universe begins to glide things toward me, as soon as I tune my mental filters in that direction. Though GTD has more to do with an active thinking and decision-making process than passive data sorting, the latter is becoming more of interest to me than it has in the past.

Both connections came from reommendations from my buddy Buzz Bruggeman, who is of course the ultimate cool info-management leprechaun...

Posted by David at 07:39 AM | Comments (3)

August 22, 2005

GTD 1,2,3

We finished the first of a 3-part teleseminar this evening - GTD 1,2,3! - designed to give people who've done the RoadMap seminar a reasonably hands-on coaching through the workflow implementation program we do with people. I think it went very well - had almost 50 people participate; and the tech side went great(teleconference services are notorious for being a bit slack). Meg, Marian, Rick and I were on the call on our end - gave a good hour packed with instructions and examples of collecting and capturing "stuff" to begin with. This is only available to alumni from my RoadMap seminar, but likely it will probably make a good cd set for people who want something in between the book or the seminar, and one-on-one time with us. Stay tuned for the product...

Posted by David at 09:55 PM | Comments (2)

August 20, 2005

My brain with The Brain...

I've heard of The Brain for a few years - never though, until I hung out with Jerry Michalski at the San Jose RoadMap seminar, did I see it really in use. Inspired me, as Jerry has accumulated 66,000+ "thoughts" in the last ten years, all connected. So I downloaded. Not sure how or if it will ultimately pay off, other than for the moment being the best way to literally connect all the multitudinous dots of my universe. I'll report later, as I get a feel for it... Sure has been fun to start to populate it and play with it, though.

High level view of my brain...

Posted by David at 12:00 AM | Comments (36)

August 10, 2005

Four days in DavidCo land...

Didn't fall off the planet - just spent four power-packed days in our semi-annual David Allen Company staff meeting, somewhat off-site at the Ojai Valley Inn. Would love to write up some of my personal impressions if I get a chance - it was quite an experience to have 23 people instead of half that number at our last meeting (we've grown... Jeez, I have a company!) And such an incredible group of folks, I must say... well, maybe more to come. Certainly there will be, with the creative output this group is lined up for...

Marian Bateman (Dir Coaching) and Richard Levi (Dir Product Dev) at our final company dinner in the Ojai sunset...

Posted by David at 07:16 PM | Comments (2)

July 23, 2005

The first RoadMap seminar

Last Thursday was an exciting day, with 180 folks in our first GTD | The RoadMap seminar. Kathryn and I, aside from other business duties, have been recuperating for the last couple of days from the intensity of the last couple of weeks, with all the prep for the new format!

Feedback has been wonderfully positive. And it was particularly heartening to have a very sophisticated friend of mine say that he experienced the seminar as really about him, not necessarily about a system (as a good thing). He was referring to the emphasis I'm giving in RoadMap to paying attention to what has your attention, and how to address that constructively.

Still some tweeking to do to get the timing right (it's the best info from more than three days of seminar material and twenty-four years of work!), so it's packed with content. But overall I'm personally delighted. The best thing about it is that it's designed to give both information and inspiration about the value of applying any of the GTD principles, at any time - one doesn't have to commit to some long, detailed, complete implementation process (which is what many people felt after being introduced to GTD in my book or in the seminars).

And for those who DO want to spend more time with the details of a system, we're launching in August what we're calling GTD 1-2-3 as an implementation teleseminar series, available only to participants from RoadMap - three direct sessions with me for those interested in the nitty-gritty of setting up their own systems to apply the material. I think it's going to be an effective combo of the "big picture" and core principles in the seminar with practical systematic applications... more to come about that as we move forward.

Posted by David at 08:47 AM | Comments (7)

July 19, 2005

Love my new digital camera...

When I saw that Buzz Bruggermann had a more pocket-sized camera than me, I was jealous, especially when he made the observation that he was a lot more likely to take pictures for blogging, etc., if the camera fit in his pocket. Duhhh, of course.

So on a trip to Samy's Camera in Santa Barbara for some other stuff, couldn't help getting hooked into the new Sony Cybershot T1. 5.1 megapixels and it's as big as a stack of about 20 business cards. Does MPEGs too. The photos you've been seeing for the last month or so have been from the Sony.

Our side yard and perennial bed today through my tiny camera

Posted by David at 06:00 PM | Comments (12)

Our RoadMap launch this Thursday in Santa Monica

Very cool - Rachelle has just let me know that over 160 folks have already registered for the upcoming GTD|The RoadMap seminar I'm doing at Loew's in Santa Monica. Should be a really exciting and productive day. We've expanded our space, so there's still room and a little time if you've been undecided - come on in, the water will be fine!

Posted by David at 12:50 PM | Comments (2)

July 18, 2005

I'll be on KUOW - NPR Seattle this afternoon...

The local NPR station - KUOW - 94.9 - in Seattle just called. They're doing a show this afternoon (The Conversation) with a topic of "getting things done," and because of their email blast they send their listeners ahead of time, someone yanked their chain that they should have me on the show. So, for you Seattle-ites who have nothing better to do than listening to the radio at around 1:05pm Pacific time, there I'll be - at least for a few minutes.

Posted by David at 11:37 AM | Comments (1)

July 17, 2005

He's got the whole world...

Kathryn got me the coolest present a couple of weeks ago - a Mova Globe... the one the spins by itself if there's light on it. It's on my desk, provides a wonderful meditative kind of think-horizon when I glance at it. Comes with several bases, but she got the porpoise one, which I love (hard to find that on the web, but here's the link).

Posted by David at 08:08 PM | Comments (2)

July 14, 2005

A fun public radio interview airs this week...

Several months ago I was contacted and interviewed by a lovely guy, David Freudberg, who produces a radio series called "Humankind" which airs on several public radio stations. The interview, which he's titled "Relaxed Focus" was just released and will be airing this weekend and ad hoc for the next little while in various markets. David's email with specifics is below. You can actually hear a 4-minute clip or even purchase the one-hour interview from Human Media.

I often don't know what I really know or think until I hear myself in conversation with interested and positively-focused folks, and this was certainly no exception.

David's info:

This week we are releasing it to public radio stations. Certain major markets air a weekly version of my program “Humankind” and are likely to carry this program this weekend. These include:

KQED 88.5 FM San Francisco simulcast in Sacramento on 89.3 FM (6:30 pm, Sun July 17)
KERA 90.1 FM Dallas (6:00 am, same)
WUMB 91.9 FM Boston (7:00 am, repeated 7:30 pm, second half 11:30 pm, same)
WHYY 90.9 FM Philadelphia (5:30 am, Sat July 16)

Those airing half-hour segments I've asked to run the first segment this week, the second segment next week. (The exception being Boston.)

It will also air this weekend in certain smaller markets.

Most stations, however, air us as occasional specials and will do so over coming months. We’re planning a big push, starting later this month, to encourage stations to run it as a special around Labor Day weekend. The process of disseminating specials to public radio is a gradual one.

Also, it will air this weekend on Sirius Satellite Radio on both the NPR channels:
Channel 106 - NPR Now, 6pm ET
Channel 107 - NPR Talk, 4pm ET

Posted by David at 05:16 PM | Comments (2)

July 12, 2005

Wired press today...

Well, if you haven't seen it, Robert Andrew's short interview/article about me on Wired.com showed up today... He asked some good questions - it was fun at the time to think about how to answer.

Thanks, Merlin and Marc, as usual, for the nice comments.

GTD paperback shot up to #27 on amazon, I just noticed, from it's usual #110-150 level. They also mentioned in my office - "What happened? We're shipping out a lot of books today!" Lots of wired folks still reading Wired, I see...

For those who might be interested (and it might be interesting for some of you to see what cutting it for space limitation does to the nature of the conversation) I've attached the original interview email and my responses, here...

----------------------

I am a reporter researching a story for Wired News about Getting Things Done and I would very much like to interview you by email. May I ask a few questions...

Can you tell me what GTD is all about - not just the book, but the philosophy (seems like it's not just a book but also a way of living and doing).

GTD is both a very specific methodology for managing the inventory of our commitments and "work" (in its most universal sense) and a representation of a life- and work-style that is positive, productive, and sustainable.

What is the story of this book? Where did it come from - what was the
inspiration behind it?

After twenty years of researching, clarifying, and testing for myself and lots of others the best practices for getting things done and getting rid of stress about it, I realized that what I had synthesized and come up with was indeed unique, there was universal growing demand for it, and so far there wasn't a "users manual" for it. So I figured I should write it. In case I got run over by a bus, it might take a while for someone else to come up with it, and the world could use it. Plus, I was interested in spreading the education and leveraging my role in it, and a book would be a great way to do that. I needed to raise the flag a lot higher, and I was curious who would salute.

Why is there a need for this book? Why has it been popular - are we so disorganised?

The most productive and relatively organized people are the ones most attracted to the book. They are the ones who are the most aware of drag on their psyche and in their systems, and the ones who experience the most pleasure and power when that drag is eliminated. I think I uncovered why some things that are common sense make so much sense, and there was a need to understand the deeper principles at work so that the tools and techniques for managing ourselves could be updated to map to the complexity and speed of the worlds many people are experiencing.

I understand the book was first published around three years ago, but has recently reappeared and flourished - what does the sales chart for the book look like; when did it start pointing upward again?

Sales were steady at one level with the hardback, during 2001-2002. Then when it came out in paper (2003) it jumped, grew steadily, and seems to have plateaued at a nice clip over the last year (generally between #100 - 160 on the total amazon list.

To what can we attribute the resurgence in popularity for the book? Perhaps the volume of conversation about GTD on weblogs (like 43folders) has been a significant factor? ie. What has the web done for your book?

I think there are several factors. First, as a veteran in the business publishing world told me when the book was first published this kind of book is likely to take about three years to "cook" in the market. I suppose if it sticks around with popularity past the short attention spans of the buzzword-du-jour type of concepts, it starts to take on a solid, "classic" kind of stature. It might be similar to Getting to Yes, which became something of a mainstay as a business reference for negotiation. Maybe there is a subliminal perception that Getting Things Done is the definitive work in this area - there won't be another one that will outdate it. With so much noise in the time-management/organizing space out there, something that sticks out with universally perceived value by such a wide range of people (as GTD has) probably has in-built momentum. It didn't hurt, either, to have James Fallows do a big and positive piece on me in the Atlantic last year, nor having Forbes list me as one of the top five executive coaches. Also, very practically, the book in paperback made it a lot easier for a boss or manager or entrpreneur to feel comfortable buying twenty copies for their staff; and, if you catch GTD at all, you tend to want everyone around you to "get it" as well. I have no idea what the web specifically has done for the book, though the accessibility of information about it, through our site and lots of referals from other sites, has certainly impacted on its visibility and popularity. When well-read bloggers like Robert Scoble and Buzz Bruggermann and Marc Orchant and Merlin Mann start spreading the word, too, it certainly enhances the viral nature of the buzz.

It certainly seems that the web is abuzz with many new converts to the GTD way. Do you think so?

Seems so. Of course a few visible people may mean there's only a few people. But my guess is that the web is full of all kinds of lurking that one never sees, but which represents the 90% of the iceberg. And when there's as much talk about GTD as you actually see, there's certainly a lot more that I don't. Lots of people refer to having heard about me/us and the book through various kinds of web connections.

Why in particular do you think web users (and, in many cases,
avowed "geeks") have taken to GTD with such aplomb?

Geeks are early adopters and usually at least slightly more ready to try new behaviors and models ('cause that's what geekdom is really about). They also love coherent, closed systems, which GTD represents. I've had some KM experts tell me that I actually created a knowledge management algorithm, from scratch, and that was enthralling to them (especially since I had no idea at the time what "knowledge management" really was!) Because GTD is system-neutral, it also gives geeks a great model for plugging into their own favorite geek-mobile toys, so they create a lot more of what they're purported to do anyway - increase productivity. Additionally there's probably a common denominator between geeks and the ADHD world, which also has significantly bought into GTD - the need for an effective and systematic approach to self-manage highly creative and distractable processing styles.

Perhaps they see in GTD their own desire for organisation? Perhaps it is the condition created by the excessive data that is a hallmark of our modern digital lifestyle that GTD sets out to solve? (What is GTD a cure for? Doing more work better, creating more time for life?)

All the above. Geeks are usually the laziest creatures around, and I am too, and I think they recognize a kindred spirit.

How much of GTD is about computers/technology?

Nothing, really, other than a good model for using the technology most productively. But GTD relates equally to paper or any other medium. Most personal productivity software and hardware is simply about data management and transmission - not really about the thought process required to generate and evaluate and utilize that data.

What kind of software is out there that people are using for GTD? Are there any particular things you would recommend or that you use yourself?

We've seen people use just about anything, because anything that can make reviewable lists works for GTD. Outlook, Lotus Notes, Palm Desktop, Excel spreadsheets, Word tables and outlines, ad inifinitum. Even the new version of Blackberry works now (because 4.0 has categorization capability on the Tasks). I also would include anything used for project thinking, planning and organizing (Access, MS Project, MindManager, etc.), because that's also part of GTD.

Have lives have been changed by GTD and whose? Got any stories?

The anecdotes are way too numerous to cite. We get testimonials daily. Everything from "great tip that's made a world of difference in my workflow" to "totally changed how I think, work, and live."

What about negative stories? Ever heard of anyone who takes it too far, for example?

Never heard any, because GTD by its very nature is about getting things done with the least amount of psychic and physical effort. How can you take that too far? Someone might misinterpret GTD as "getting organized" and sure, all kinds of people "get organized" as a way of avoiding their life and work. A certain kind of ordering and categorization is a critical component, but organizing per se not what GTD is really about.

It's been observed that GTD has become a kind of "cult". It has many devoted followers who are evangelical about he cause, unflinching in their quest for total organisation and regard Getting Things Done as a holy book in that respect. Logically, you would be their leader in this journey. What do you make of this? Why does GTD stir this passion in people; how do you account for the devotion of so many people? Perhaps the need for simplicity and organisation is an innate property in all of us? People bookmark GTD-related links, share them, write software that can make good on the GTD philosophy - there's a level of devotion that has raised the book's prominence and given the philosophy a life of its own; that must please you. So what do you make of your cult? Do you participate with your followers in any way, online?

It's been fascinating to watch the phenomenon. I think anyone who tries something that creates a real experience of heightened awareness, greater clarity, reduced stress, along with real things getting done that happened because of it, is going to "convert" to some degree. Those events are rare for most people, so they'll tend to put it on some sort of pedestal and want to communicate it to everyone else around them. People truly love to feel like they're really helping others, and if there's something that they benefited from that they can easily pass on to someone else, there will be some juice out there being spread around.

It's been said that geeks are searching for a digital Martha Stewart, an online lifestyle guru. Sounds like you're being fingered for this role by many - what do you reckon?

OK with me, but not necessary. To some degree I'd rather just slip away unnoticed (who was that masked man?), because the message is really the process, not the person. But a while ago we discovered that it's easier for people to buy into a personality than a process, so what the heck... if that's what will turn them on to the value, who am I to get in the way out of some false humility? I think my personal proclivity for the sort of zen wink approach to things while still being highly effective is a needed message, style, and energy that people are hungry for these days. But my favorite gurus are the ones who are least concerned with being a guru, and I aspire to that for myself as well. The myth is usually better than the reality anyway, and even if I don't hold up to my own image, don't shoot the messenger.

What's next for GTD? I read that you are trying to trademark "GTD" - what's that all about? Any other products coming out on the back of the book's success? Perhaps a full product line, a la Atkins Diet?

Several things. Indeed, we're launching a line of cool gear in 2006, mostly low-tech, for which we're partnering with Levenger for some of it. I'm creating a membership model for the fall of 2005 - GTD|Connect - to give people who want more touch-points with me on a consistent basis to be able to stay the course toward what we call "black belt." The best and brightest get it, and get that they don't yet get it, and they've been asking for a more on-going way to participate and play. I've redesigned a public one-day seminar (GTD|The RoadMap) which will be a high-level overview and application of the whole GTD model, giving people an effective framework for self-coaching at any time, place, and situation (check web for cities and dates). We're also moving fast to meet the demand now for educational tools and formats for installing, spreading, and supporting the GTD thought process throughout whole organizational cultures.

Are there any core rules, processes or practises required if one is to live by the way of GTD?

Pay appropriate attention to what has your attention. If you don't, it will take more attention than it deserves. If you do, you're get more things done with minimal effort and maximum success.

I'm interested in running a separate piece on the doctrines you
have to abide by in order to simplify your life. What are the key
workflows/procedures?

Capture everything that has your attention. Decide what your commitment is, and what you need to do to move forward on it. Organize the results, mapping things to what they mean to you. Engage with the system regularly to keep it current and maintain trust in what you're doing, when.

Many thanks for your time; I look forward to your reply, which I would need to receive by this weekend.

Regards

--
Robert Andrews
Contributor, Wired News

Posted by David at 02:37 PM | Comments (3)

June 25, 2005

Our NoteTaker wallets are back in stock

I'm delighted we've got our NoteTaker Wallet back in stock. For those of you who've been waiting for us to re-up our inventory - it's back. In black.

(FYI I designed it because I couldn't find one just right anywhere else. And we were out of stock because our previous leather supplier [Gary's] went out of business. Got lots now...)

My own well-used NoteTaker

Posted by David at 07:50 PM | Comments (23)

June 12, 2005

The briefcase I'm using most now...

On one of my earlier trips to Levenger, Steve Leveen asked me to try out their new Endurance case, which I've dutifully done for the last couple of months. Have to say I really like it - actually more than the Tumi of the same size and shape I was previously using. It has fewer pockets than the Tumi, but they're bigger, and I was surprised to find that I actually like the cloth material - somehow easier to throw stuff in (like AC cord, batteries, camera, etc.) and get it out. Also seems to fit better in small spaces on airplanes. It's my rugged on-the-road standard case for laptop traveling now.

Posted by David at 12:05 PM | Comments (5)

June 05, 2005

Playing in the digital sandbox...

Had a boys-and-their-(digital)-toys day on Friday. Buzz Bruggemann was in the area, he and I drove up to Eric Mack's mountain hideaway, met up with Paul Edwards (friend of Eric's who also lives in Pine Mountain Club).

Great conversation (as always happens with Buzz and his stories); updates from Buzz's recent techie hobnobbing around the country, Eric's R&D with tablet PC etc., Paul's perspectives on home office dynamics. And I got to "Motor On!" with my mini on great mountain roads, up and back...

Paul, Buzz, Eric and me in Eric's digital lair

Posted by David at 10:18 AM | Comments (1)

June 03, 2005

Nothing like an expert...

I've had the privilege of connecting recently with Alan Nelson, a partner at CRA, a small but highly respected consulting firm in Philadelphia that specializes in communication and leadership coaching. Alan heard about me and GTD through 43 Folders, has been a fan ever since, and as it turns out we have a number of mutual clients. Randall Stutman, another partner at CRA, had introduced us to Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia a few years ago, for whom we wound up doing our workflow coaching program for most of the surgeons (thanks again, Randall!)

While speaking with Alan a few weeks ago, he gave me some coaching which has served me well already: "the more strategic the conversation, the broader the communication bandwidth needs to be." E-mail won't cut it, in other words, if you're trying to communicate about something at 40,000 ft. That's creating problems now, because many in the e-mail-raised generation of kids ain't kids any more, with higher-level jobs requiring focus and skills at interfacing more intimately than they are used to.

Thanks, Alan for the advice. Tweeked some important things I'm doing, and the way I'm doing them.

Posted by David at 08:50 AM | Comments (2)

May 17, 2005

Ahoy! Public seminars on the horizon...!

So, we've finally (with many many thanks to Kathryn Allen & crew) finalized hotels and dates for the new one-day seminars I'll be doing, at least for the rest of 2005. (Those of you who didn't like "power principles" in the title will be happy - we didn't really, either). There are discounts for early registrations, too, if any of you are thinking about it and can do some early planning...

I actually pretty jazzed about the new format. I think it'll be both easier for people to get a hold of, as well as galvanize the GTD vets with a deeper look into the model.

Posted by David at 04:07 AM | Comments (8)

May 01, 2005

Arianna Huffington's already-infamous blog...

Arianna's an old friend, and she's asked me to contribute to her new journalistic/networking venture - the Huffington Post. I'm obviously on her large rolodex of invitees to contribute to what is intended to be a forum for all kinds of thought and comment. Article last week about her/it on the front page of the NY Times. (Need to subscribe to the Times to get, if you're not). She already produces a regular column and a blog. But it will be interesting to see what emerges with this new invitational collaboration, if, as she says, "the blogging revolution has reached a tipping point." If you just want the gist of her vision, here's a piece of the e-mail invitation we got:

As you may have read in Monday's New York Times, my partner, Kenny Lerer, and I are about to launch The Huffington Post, a new internet publishing venture. This site will combine a breaking news section, a section on the media called “Eat the Press”, and an innovative group blog where some of this country's most creative minds will weigh in on topics great and small, political and cultural, important or just plain entertaining.

Picture a nonstop, ever-changing group conversation with input from 100 of the most interesting people from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, and publishing -- a place where some of the
best minds and most creative thinkers in America can inform, rant, provoke, comment on, and link to whatever strikes them as worth a look.

A number of people have already agreed to become a part of our group blog, including Larry David, Tom Freston, Vernon Jordan, David Geffen, Nora Ephron, Bobby Kennedy Jr., Tina Brown, John Cusack, Gary Hart, Mike Nichols, Rob Reiner, David Mamet, Arthur Schlesinger, Norman Lear, George Wolfe, Bill Maher, Jann Wenner, Laurie David, Cory Booker, Jim Wiatt, Haim Saban, Walter Cronkite, Albert Brooks, Paul Goldberger, Harry Evans, Liev Schreiber, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David O. Russell, Barry Diller, Tavis Smiley, Ari Emanuel, Paul Reiser, Adam McKay, Brian Grazer, Mort Zuckerman, Brad Hall, Prof. Alex Keyssar, Dr. Dean Ornish, and Sen. Jon Corzine.

I gotta hand it to Arianna - her way of keeping on moving and playing with the times and her role in it has got style, and she's no dummy...

Posted by David at 09:58 PM | Comments (1)

More public seminars coming...

Heads up to my network out there. You're the first to know the name and potential cities & dates of a new one-day public seminar I'm going to launch this summer. It's going to be

GTD: The Power Principles

Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life

Going to be my higher-level view of the principles behind the principles, and lots of practical application of both the horizontal and vertical control models.

Tentative, but likely (waiting on hotel confirmations etc.)

Los Angeles - July 21
Chicago - August 2
San Jose - August 18
Boston - August 22
Minneapolis - September 22

More to come in the fall, but I wanted to start planting the seeds for first upcoming. Pricing and location details will be forthcoming. Next newsletter (soon) will link to it. Full houses are likely, but I wanted to give the GTDers already out there the chance to spread the word to your network, as well as come on back, yourself, too, for another spin around the block with me.

I've wanted for a while to create a venue to give more of the higher-level view and experience of what GTD is really about. Most people who read the book never remember the vertical stuff - horizons of focus, particularly. I understand getting jacked up about gear and files and labelers and action lists and all that. But real power will come from engaging with 20- to 50,000-ft stuff with equal utility, equanimity, and ebullience (how's them big words?)

Posted by David at 07:00 AM | Comments (16)

April 26, 2005

Mighty Times, good friends and local causes

Local culture and good cause stuff, for anyone who might be in southern California... Two good friends of ours (and almost neighbors on the east end of Ojai) are Bobby Houston and Robert Hudson, who created this year's Oscar winning short documentary, The Children's March. They're doing a benefit showing of it at Libby Bowl in Ojai May 13, 7-8:30pm, with proceeds to other friends of ours - the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation.

Details: $10 adults, $5 students, reception $30 (in advance, includes film) Gospel music and reception with filmmakers at Movino's Wine Bar, 308 E Ojai Ave, reservations call 805-640-9555 (youth foundation phone) Friday May 13 7-8:30pm

Posted by David at 04:17 PM | Comments (1)

April 25, 2005

GTD at the Air Command College

Apropos of a comment on my last blog, I've been asked to deliver a seminar in August for 650 officers at the Air Command and Staff College. Apparently the GTD book has been circulating through the senior ranks there, and according to their Course Director for the Art of Military Leadership, Lt. Col. Jim Baker, their voluminous input "can be overwhelming and negatively impact your ability to effectively lead your organization. Development of some basic executive skills to manage this enormous flow of information will help you get out from behind your desk and 'lead by walking around.'" Jim's stoked I agreed to come, and I'm stoked because these are highly influential people, and I've always liked doing work within the military because they are usually so open to learning. (When they're not fighting, they're training).

Posted by David at 10:11 AM | Comments (6)

April 23, 2005

A slicker clicker

Had dinner last week with wonderful many-year friends of ours in Ojai - Randy and Liz Harward. Randy's an exec at Patagonia, and Liz is dog breeder and trainer extraordinaire (she gave us our wonderful yellow lab, Mollie). You might remember I've blogged about Karen Pryor's clicker training (operant conditioning), which is a way-cool positive model for creating desired behaviors. Liz is not only a proponent of clicker training - she and Randy have created a fabulous digital clicker, with variable sounds, volume, etc. It may seem a little over the top if you're not aware of clicker training, but if you are, check out Karen's endorsement of it!

Our sweet Mollie...

Posted by David at 08:15 AM

April 19, 2005

New labeler R&D

As many of you know, I've been very attached to our Brother PT-15 labeler, which I've used for more than ten years - never found anything faster or slicker. Unfortunately they've discontinued it (of course - the refill tape is the cheapest. What could I have been thinking!?) Am testing the new Brother PT-18R, which so far seems pretty cool. USB connectable for quick printing with my typeface-du-jour, rechargeable in a stand for mobile labeling... (not sure how long that charge really lasts yet). Any of you had any experience yet with the PT-18R?

Posted by David at 10:42 AM | Comments (5)

April 12, 2005

New blog, new work, new life...

Lots going on (understatement).

Re: blogsphere stuff, you'll notice a different look. I've migrated to Movable Type - not because of deficiency with Notes-based format, but (according to my tech team, who are now dealing with infrastructure stuff way out beyond the end of my pier), this will provide some connections to our other site that has some advantages.

[Have any of you experienced that strange point-of-no-return transition from "I know, touch, have-intimate-knowledge-of-everything-in-my-company" to "I sure hope that the cool people I've got on board know what the heck they're doing..."?]

One of the major cool people on board with us now is Robert Peake, the official CTO of DavidCo.

Robert Peake, DavidCo CTO (with Ludmila, wife of Chirill Trescencov, our "animal!" programmer)

Robert's younger than I like to acknowledge, has major experience in PHP (he's a writer/contributor to European PHP rag), e-commerce subscription management, and other web back-end stuff; and is part of the peculiar camp of spiritually-oriented folks I tend to hang with. Building a robust internal CRM, and having the full-time internal capability to manage and maintain it, as we grow, in addition to creating a stable web-based back end of our own, became strategic issues for us, and Robert's heading that charge. Eric Mack (personal productivity tech guru) and Greg Fisk (Web graphics/function/marketing guru) remain key players on the team. But we needed our own guy inside to manage all the projects for which this heady cyber-infrastructure is key.

Much more to come. Just wanted to say "hi" to everyone paying attention here, and assure you that things are alive and well here in the "mind like water" camp.

Posted by David at 06:44 PM | Comments (2)

February 24, 2005

Brandon Hall

We've just spent three incredibly productive days with Brandon Hall, a leading expert in organization learning systems, and someone who's become a GTD champion (and good friend) in a short period of time. My brain is spinning a bit, but delighted to get his coaching and direction in where to take our stuff to another level in the workplace learning sphere... Thanks, Brandon!

Posted by David at 07:48 AM

February 05, 2005

Chirill at lunch

Wow. We're in a Major Tech Meeting for David Allen Company this weekend at my house. What horsepower! For instance, a master programmer from Moldova, who we're lucky enough to have now on our staff - Chirill Trescencov. You'll be seeing more, no not seeing really, but experiencing more of his handiwork in the next few months.

Posted by David at 03:12 AM | Comments (5)

August 29, 2004

My branding guru - Jim Rider

People have often commented positively about the look and feel of our materials - that they closely reflect our message. To a large degree I attribute that to Jim Rider, our "creative strategist." In 1997 I asked Jim if he could do "mind like water" for our logo, and he and I tossed it back and forth for several weeks (I photocopied and faxed a sycamore leaf from my yard - my favorite tree!) Since then Jim's been a major resource in our camp for the look of our brand. He's got his own agency (The Rider Agency) and web site now, which speaks for itself.

Posted by David at 04:50 AM

August 07, 2004

Palm and your pills

It's rare that I pass on info about other people's stuff (I get requests daily), esp. if I don't use it. But this testimonial e-mail I just received sort of rang my bell...

Thanks so much for the "jump-start".  My working environment is back in working order again. My filing system (previously non-existent) has improved dramatically and I'm feeling muuuuuuch better. Your GTD system is so simple and logical, I became an instant believer. As a pharmacist, turned Palm software developer, I have to juggle a ton of creative ideas and marketing projects. Figuring out "what to do next" hasn't always been easy, but it's certainly easier now. I knew we were 'kindred spirits' when I read that you're also a Palm-user. I never leave home without my Treo 600 smartphone on my belt, and a Zire 71 with IR keyboard in my purse (that's my laptop now!). Your "capture every brainstorm" concept is terrific!. Now I feel vindicated when I get my Zire and keyboard out, so I don't lose any of those "goodies"!  Some people may think it looks a little "nerdy"...!  But many a brilliant brainstorm has hit me in restaurants. As I was typing an idea, a young busboy stopped by and said, "Wow!  That's so cool!" I was delighted - since I now qualify for Senior Discounts!  In addition to helping you stay organized, here's a way your PDA can help you stay healthy. Please visit this website at: www.pillsinyourpalm.com  and if you take any medications at all, download the free 30-day Trial. This simple software is very helpful for staying on track with your meds - even when you travel - literally all over the world..   I have OnTimeRx® users all over the world, too.  (Isn't the Web wonderful?) Take care and thanks again.

Susan Torrico, President
AmeliaPlex, Inc. of Orlando
Developers of On-Time-Rx®

Posted by David at 12:02 PM | Comments (1)

June 25, 2004

Atlantic Monthly article on me

There's a 6-page article on me and GTD in the current (JUL/AUG) issue of Atlantic Monthly, in case you haven't seen it. Jim Fallows (senior writer for them, former editor of US News) has been following my stuff for a while, and I think did an admirable job of expressing some of the core stuff about GTD and me...

Organize Your Life!
The modern condition is to be overwhelmed by everything. Now comes David Allen, who can teach even you how to stop stewing and start doing
by James Fallows

And, by the way, it's a great double issue - cogent stuff on Bush/Kerry as well as world events. It's still my favorite rag (not just because they published Jim's article!) - the only one I read cover to cover every month.

Posted by David at 11:39 AM | Comments (9)

June 03, 2004

Cool blogging content/technology from my favorite propellor-head

My technology/communication colleague and guru, Eric Mack, is experimenting with some cool blog info sharing techniques, and I'm sure he'd love anyone's feedback... (I suggest you play with Eric now, before he gets smarter and puts a meter on his info...!)

Posted by David at 05:11 AM

March 17, 2004

Ain�t technology grand?

Reality show time. I'm just checked into the Huntington Beach Hyatt. Plugged into hi-speed connect, saw urgent email from Eric that somehow our bloggitherings were actually OUT THERE... he's not at a phone, he's at some location North of L.A., we're on Lotus Sametime, we do emergency chatting, fix the biggest warts, dust ourselves off, and smile at the audience (since the curtain has opened anyway.) And I have a speech for 350 Wells Fargo people in the morning, as well as a one-hour teleconference with Hobbs-Herder advertising before that. Don't you just love it!

Posted by David at 09:11 AM | Comments (7)

Wow! Off and Running!

Well, what an exciting initiation into blogging! Eric Mack, (my technology cohort/partner) and I were playing around with some test stuff, and sure enough, our links somehow got out there into the blog-viral world! How cool.... Great tip from my friends Robert and Buzz - "be careful what you write - as soon as you do, it's OUT THERE!" I'll be doing a little more formal (ahem) introducing of myself and how I intend to play in this arena, but for now, just know I'm in the water...!

Thanks for your patience and interest...

David

Posted by David at 08:43 AM | Comments (8)

Kicking Back

Getting ready to head to Tahoe to work with the CEO of several universities, then on to London to work with the great folks at Deutsche Bank, then on to Dallas for a one-day event with a high-level financial services firm, and on to our sold-out public seminar in Chicago. Life in the usual fast lane...

Posted by David at 06:00 AM

March 16, 2004

Feeling Relaxed

Just had a fabulous massage with Alex at the Ojai Valley Inn, where Kathryn and I have a membership. Can't believe it's been many months since I've had one - I always swear it's my best preventive maintenance, healthwise. Even though I do my best at stress-free productivity, just the random karma of being on the planet creates noise in the system and at least subliminal stress that lodges in those kinks that Alex knows how to find! Yumm. Time to build those into my schedule a little more frequently.

Posted by David at 03:30 AM