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May 24, 2007
The GTD Bellyflop
Does this sound familiar?
You read the GTD or took a class with one of us. You loved it, you got it, you were inspired. You had a month of bliss where your head was clear, your lists were current, your files were lean and mean and you were living the Productive Experience.
Then you ___________ (fill in the blank):
- went on vacation
- got a giant problem or project dropped in your plate
- had a bunch of urgent stuff show up
- got interrupted more than usual
- got sick
- got bored
As a result, your lists started to get out of date, your inboxes got choked up and you started waking up at 2am thinking about all the stuff you need to do. I heard someone describe this recently as the GTD Bellyflop. It happens to all of us. In fact, the Productive Experience that David Allen describes does not mean you are always in control, relaxed, inspired, focused, getting things done and have current system to maintain it all. Could anyone really maintain that productive experience ALL of the time? Not likely. In fact, sometimes it can be good to get out of control to have the reminder about what that was like and why that doesn't work. If you were once in that Productive Experience, it won't be hard to get back to it because you have a reference point. It's kind of like exercise. Have you ever been in great shape? If you get out of shape, it's not as hard to get back in shape because you know what that was like and what you need to do to get there.
The easiest way to get yourself back on track with GTD and to that Productive Experience is to do a Weekly Review. Carve out an hour for yourself to get as clear & current as you can. Update your lists, process your Inboxes down to zero, scan your projects list to make sure you've got all of your next actions captured, do a mindsweep to clear your head. Any and all of those can get anyone back on track.
It's natural to have starts and stops with GTD. Give yourself a break if you've been holding yourself to a standard that you will never be out of that Productive Experience. Really, it's OK to have the occasional bellyflop.
Posted by Kelly at May 24, 2007 09:13 AM
Comments
I'm on my fourth try now... I get better every time :)
Posted by: Eater at May 24, 2007 10:46 AM
Nicely stated, Kelly. Never, never, never give up. Re-write the list. Clean out the box. Refresh.
Most importantly, though, do something physical. Pick up the pencil to redo the list...or sit down and start typing. Do something. That triggers the next thought and the next.
Three years in, I'm still improving and finding new ways to apply GTD.
Posted by: Joe Ely at May 24, 2007 11:38 AM
Thanks Kelly, timing is perfect. I've returned from holidays and now have a broken foot which has put me out of action fo 6 weeks!!! Fallen off the GTD wagon so my in tray is just a pile of papers needing attention. Weekly review is much in need and will start back this afternoon (its Friday in my part of the world)
Posted by: Kim at May 24, 2007 07:34 PM
