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August 16, 2005

How to make GTD stick

A typical question that I get asked after leading seminars or coaching someone is how to make GTD stick. I think implementing any of this can help your productivity, so pick something from this methodology that really resonates with you and start with that one thing. Then next week add another thing. Then the week after, add another. Before you know it you've got a whole toolbox of tips and tricks to increase your productivity.

I led a Managing Workflow seminar today in Pennsylvania. Here are some of the key takeaways the group shared that they were going to use to get started with GTD:

The Two Minute Rule - if you can take an action in less than 2 minutes, do it now.

Context lists - organize your to do lists based on where you can take the action, rather than what the action is related to.

Create Action and Waiting For folders in email and in hard copy for your desk. If you're a Notes user, start the folder name with a dash, like "-Action" so that is sorts at the top of your folders. If you're on Outlook, use the @ symbol, like "@Action".

Do a weekly review - once a week, turn off your input to get current and creative with your system, so that you can get some alitude from the day-to-day grind.

Posted by Kelly at August 16, 2005 02:08 PM