How Long Have You Been Getting Things Done?

[TPorter2]

I was clearing out a file, and found a printout of a GTD tip from David Allen in a 1998 Ivillage article. I think that was my first exposure to the greatness of the GTD system. I printed off the Weekly Review info from David's website then, and started following the workflow diagram. So I have been at this for 7 years now, and it has worked well for me. How about you? How long have you been Getting Things Done?

[flexiblefine]

Just about 7 months now. No, it wasn't a new year's resolution. :)

Last fall, I noticed things at work were getting out of hand for me. I had gone back to using a day planner, but my job is much more project-based than calendar-based, so the planner didn't help. I soon got out of the habit of using the planner (and writing the same to-do list over and over), so I knew I had to find a new system.

I thought about what that new system had to be (simple, flexible, lightweight, non-calendar-based, etc.), and started poking around online. I found 43 Folders and other resources, bought the book, and here I am.

[Desultory]

Since April. I was starting to get my semi-annual feeling that I should get my act together, found GTD, and immediately knew "THIS IS IT!"

The first thing that happened was I enrolled in a class and certificate program that I've been thinking about taking for two years.

The next thing was I found out real fast that I have to do the Weekly Review. If I let it slide even one week, I quickly feel that old overwhelmed feeling creeping up on me.

The latest is that yesterday morning I pulled up the list of calls I had been putting off, and picked up the phone. 3 of 6 was all I could stand. Not exactly cranking them out, but considering how much I hate the phone, that's pretty good.

[spectecGTD]

I read the Fallows article in the Atlantic back in 2004.
Bought the books the next day and ordered the FAST CD that same afternoon after scanning the books. I started implementing within a few weeks and haven't looked back since.

I only wish I had discovered GTD years ago...

[CJSullivan]

I've been "GTD-ing" since 1994 or 1995; we brought David in to do some work with product development teams at Polaroid while I was a consultant there. It was initially when he was still with "Productivity Development Group" -- went to a couple of in-house seminars, a couple of public seminars, and have all the tapes and CDs... I am still a student and learn new things every day, but one thing I truly believe is that keeping the "desired outcome" in mind is the most important thing. For me, the desired outcome of GTD is simply accomplishing more of what I want to see in the world with less effort, and while I do find I need to tweak my system from time to time based on changing circumstances, etc., I do NOT see "Achieving a Seamless, Thought-Free System" as my desired outcome. (Just my two cents re: that little subtopic!)...

[LauraRubio]

I work as an assistant in a human resources consultancy. I work giving support to 4 international consultants and is very important to keep every thing in his right context. GTD has help me very much in this resolution.