That's a good trick, Here's on that I use...In Windows XP you can download for free a power toy that lets you have 4 virtual desktops and you can open each application in that desktop. That way you don't have to alt tab through the whole list. It can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

or the smaller version

http://tinyurl.com/2meyw

Linux users (like me) have this option bultin to whatever Window manager they chose. Don't know about Macs (sorry)

Joe

Thank you for such an exceptional blog. I enjoy reading your writing. I've tagged you for the "8 Random Facts Meme".

http://jwitter.wordpress.com/2007/08/18/8-random-facts-meme/

I look forward to reading your future posts.

I have a notebook as my inbox, Outlook for my email, and next action list is also in my notebook. How to be seamless in this case?

Hi John,

Thanks for your kind words about my blog. Glad you found some useful nuggets here. I'm going to pass on the 8 facts, about me but thanks for thinking of me. Maybe someday I'll do an 8 interesting facts about GTD! I'm been around this so long by now (16 years) there have to be some fun facts to pass along.

Kelly

Hi Prabu,

Lots of people have a hybrid system like you describe of paper + digital. I would suggest keeping your paper lists/notebook close by you when you do your processing. When I used a paper planner, I would keep it on my desk, always in arm's reach of where I processed my email and took phone calls. Seamless to me means that I trust it, no matter where I organize it (paper or digital.)

Kelly

If an email application is kept open all day, it might help to make sure it doesn't automatically receive messages every 5 minutes. The temptation to get distracted and check the new messages cut into my productivity in the past.

Hi Kelly,

Did you realise that Ctrl+Shift+? will create a new item from anywhere in Outlook? For a new email, the ? would be M, K for a task, A for an appointment and so on. Click on the arrow beside 'New' and you'll see the full list of handy shortcuts. This method is super-quick and easy - you can bypass the window-navigating and go straight to creating the new item.

All the best,
Lisa

Yes, thanks Lisa.

Shortcuts are fantastic and will absolutely save time when navigating. It probably would have been helpful for me to add in my post that it's not just about adding stuff to the lists, but also being able to see them to complete items as well.

In one of his podcasts, David talks about really getting fast with your keystroke combinations. I've been using iGTD on my Mac Powerbook (and loving it) and it's very keyboard-friendly. Learning to use it well takes a little extra time at first, but saves so much time later on! Thanks for a great blog.

Josh

One of the best productivity tools in our office is dual monitors. That way you can spread the various applications across two screens, in full-size windows. Makes it a lot easier to maintain records in electronic format when you can easily read them and work with multiple items at once. I've had two monitors for about a year, and I would love to have three!