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September 15, 2008
One System Does Not Fit All
My clients often assume that there is only one "right way" to practice GTD. I hear questions like, "Does everyone do it this way?" and "Is everyone like me?" My answer is a resounding NO. While the higher-level principles of GTD are universal, the specific tools and strategies that each person should use are not. Don't try to squeeze yourself into some predefined system if it doesn't really fit who you are and how you work.
The idea for this post was triggered by a conversation I had with my fellow coach, Kelly Forrister, a while back about our favorite collection tools. She's a big fan of the Levenger Circa system for taking notes and I tend to like bound notebooks like the large Moleskine. I know we also keep a different set of categories in our action lists and reference lists.
The point of GTD is not about installing a preordained system that will plug in a change your life. It's a bit more subtle than that. It's about applying the higher-level principles and using the tools and strategies that are attractive and workable for you to accomplish them. Here's a reminder of the "Five Phases of Workflow," the core framework representing the higher-level principles of David Allen's GTD:
Collect, take notes about, or somehow gather what's got your attention,
Process that collection of notes earlier rather than later and decide what it all means to you and what you will do,
Organize the results of those decisions in a way that is easily reviewable and retrievable in a calendar, lists, files, or other systems,
Review your system at appropriate levels often enough to feel in control and in perspective, and
Do, using your system to choose the appropriate thing to do based on how much time and energy you have, what context you're in, and your higher sense of priority.
If you love the feel of pen and paper or aren't attracted to typing your lists, use a paper system. If a digital system works for you, great! The point is to do what works for you.
I'm curious what unique variations from the "standard" GTD approach are working for folks out there.
Posted by mdolan at September 15, 2008 10:26 AM
Comments
For me, it's all about a fully functioning system of computer based and paper based processing. Gotta have your inbox, outbox, read/review trays as well as labeled files, tickler and support files for all paper based processing. These are the nuts and bolts of my paper system but my real GTD system is 80% CPU based. I'm using Apple's Mail and a customized "Inbox" folder on my CPU for inbox. Once it's processed it goes straight into Omnifocus for projects and next actions. Support material and notes goes into my CPU's documents folder or Apple Mail's IMAP folders. iCal handles calendars and date specific items(it allows you to attach files, set alarms, and works as a great virtual tickler) and all gets synced to my Blackberry via missing sync. Also, I've created a customized weekly review I do every sunday in Omni Outliner Pro the ultimate checklist system.
Skylar.
Posted by: Skylar at September 15, 2008 12:03 PM
