What's Everyone's Profession?

[troy]

What does everyone do for a living?

I'm a restaurant manager! Always busy! Gotta always, GET THINGS DONE!

[troy]

Everyone must work for the CIA. Top secret eh? Sorry I asked.

[Diane]

Postmaster in a small town. Sorry, I thought I had replied, was surprised to check back & find I had not. GTD is really helping me keep on top of the paperwork & the other duties I have, especially because I have taken on some projects that take me outside my office.

[jarvek7]

Dentist with the military.

My job may be different. It so often seems that rather than being proactive I must be reactive to what is happening. Too many outside influences seem to adversely affect my ability to "get things done".

[carol]

I have two occupations. In the morning In am an Assistant Events Organiser for a pony association. I also run my own embroidery design business, for the rest of the hours in each day.

I don't know how I would cope without GTD.

Carol

[jwarlander]

Vaguely described, "IT Specialist".

In my case it means that to varying degrees I'm a sysadmin, database admin, backup responsible, software developer and support technician. It's a varied job obviously, but sometimes you get stretched just a little too thin.

I've been getting started on GTD for about a year, and the recent two months have been pretty good - to the level where I actually feel that I'm "doing GTD". Hopefully the higher altitudes of planning will help out with trying to focus ahead a little more on my different areas of responsibility.

[spectecGTD]

I wear two hats simultaneously. I am an accountant/tax preparer and also sell capital equipment used in hospitals and biomedical research. The demands of the two separate businesses constanly pull me in opposite directions throughout the day. GTD has helped me to keep things on track and prevent various unrelated projects from falling through the cracks. Since starting GTD, I believe it has added thousands of $ to my income and has given me a much better level of comfort that things are under control, although I'm still constantly working to refine my system and make it work better for me. I still play the GTD FAST cd's from time-to-time to refresh myself on key points.

[kglade]

I'm an electrical engineer working for a machinery company. My group provides the computer controls for the equipment.

[Cuccu]

I'm an administrative assistant.

[Pedro Kroger]

I'm a college professor. I teach music composition, harmony, counterpoint, etc.

Pedro

[mramm]

I am a Computer Systems Manager (ala Network Administrator) for a small local municipality in Alabama (http://www.cityofnorthport.org/) . I have been GTD'd for a little over a year. Just recently started a website about it with a friend of mine (see below). Has gotten me to re-think a lot of things in my system and I am working on a total revamp right now. I will detail the process on Black Belt Productivity (http://www.blackbeltproductivity.net) starting tomorrow.

Michael

[mcogilvie]

I'm a physics professor.

[CarolC]

I am a controller for an advertising agency.

Carol

[aderoy]

IT Manager for a Law firm

[Queen Sarah]

Community college professor, Church organist/music director, and graduate student.

[moises]

I run and am part owner of two small businesses. I teach one college course one day a week.

GTD has been essential for running my businesses, where I wear many hats. The thought of running my businesses today without GTD is truly scary.

[tulipcowgirl]

Architect by day (at a firm) and by night (I do some of my own work on the side)

[rlee323]

CFO for small investment firm

[benengel]

IT procurement manager. Have been using/preaching GTD for 6 months and would never go back to the "old ways".

I'm still amazed that using GTD means I get a good sleep these days with no more waking up at 3am thinking about what I needed to get done :)

[DStaub11]

This is fascinating!

I am a freelance indexer and colored pencil artist, and have many other interests (has anyone read Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher??). I work from home and struggle to choose one thing at a time to work on without getting distracted. GTD is wonderful!

Do Mi

www.domistauberindexing.com
www.domistauberart.com

[RianM]

Software Architect

Work between a bunch of different groups with competing interests on trying to build software solutions.

I've been trying to implement GTD at work, and am starting to get some traction with it. My big aha was that what we call a project at work is really something bigger then what GTD defines as a project. That seems to have helped some.

Rian

[tuqqer]

I'm an author of books on the diet/disease, diet/symptom connection. Also run a related website, and some other entreprenuerial things. Work from home, and since the early 90s and the Franklin Day Planner, have been a student of time/life management.

[rwarren]

I'm an urban high school principal. GTD helps avoid dropping balls, and lets me sleep peacefully at night!

[gretajean]

I'm a legal assistant.

[troy]

Great response here guys. Cool insight.

[taxgeek]

I'm an estate planning attorney.

GTD helps me juggle all the different clients' projects as they wind their way (slowly) through to completion. Easy to drop balls, so GTD (esp @waiting for) is crucial. It also turns out to be handy for CYA! ("No boss, I didn't forget about that trust you wanted, I gave it to you on Sept. 12th to review. You're the one who lost it!")

[Bron]

I run my own business offering support to arts organisations and individuals.

I discovered GTD two years ago, went off the rails last year when I took on way too much work, and am now thankfully back on track.

I'm still working on it, but it's great to know that everything is tracked, especially when working with several clients.

Bronwyn Robertson
http://www.TheArtsVA.com

[Scott_L_Lewis]

I'm an information systems architect, and I'm starting a second career as a meditation teacher.

[thr61]

I own and operate an 8 person consultancy focused on helping organizations visualize complex information, process, and concepts.

[Mindi]

I'm a forensic scientist.

GTD doesn't help me too much during work, as I have a pretty linear work flow, but it helps tremendously with interruptions and personal life.

;)Mindi

[bmd]

Professional fundraiser for home healthcare agency, Visiting Nurse Association, including hospice and private duty.

[Peter Gallant]

I'm an entrepreneur - CEO of a start-up called Pathogen Detection Systems (www.pathogendetect.com) that is developing fully automatic, rapid systems for detecting bacteria such as E.coli in water samples for municipal water testing, bottled water, packaged ice, remote communities, 3rd world and government applications.

In a start-up, there's always way more work than a small team of (relatively) sane individuals can handle, and the real challenge is keeping track of the myriad of details about investors, customers, employees, consultants, and to manage the entire process and keep moving forward despite uncertainty, risk, and the omni-present overwhelming workload.

All of this while trying to be a great husband, father, and son...and still maintain outside hobbies and interests (flying, a voracious appetite for reading, and some time for long walks on the beach for some "high altitude thinking", and some support/advisory work on some amazing projects).

The true promise and value of GTD is not just limited to professional life - it enables us to have a more diverse, multi-faceted life as well!

Regards,
Peter

[TexasEx94]

I investigate reports of child abuse for the State of Texas. GTD has helped me tremendously in organizing and juggling dozens of cases simultaneously.

[Deanna]

I'm the CEO of a hospice. I couldn't do it without GTD. My staff knows their desks and emails will be full after my weekly review. :-)

[Alchemist]

GTD has helped me over some of my procrastination issues and has helped me track the multiple projects that I have to execute on. I also wear several "hats" at work and at home. GTD has helped me to keep on track whether I am working with a client, selling the firm, or planning my daughter's birthday party for 26 kids and 22 adults (I never had that many people at my birthday!)

[smithdoug]

I raise cattle and hay. Sometimes I work from horseback. Sometimes I drive a tractor. But mostly I've been working on foot lately, wearing irrigation boots and a shovel. Occasionally I shoot guns, usually at coyotes or rattlesnakes, but I emphatically do not strum guitars around the campfire at night. I run a business in my spare time and have been known to publish books and magazine articles. I hardly get anything done, but life's great anyway.

[wordsofwonder]

I'm a freelance writer, software/web developer, and mystery novelist. I'm a many-aptituded (http://members.aol.com/jocrf19/maperson.html) person, so those are the things I make a living at rather than the things I'm interested in. (The second list is much more expansive.)

-- Tammy

[ommoran]

I am the manager of an insurance claims adjusting firm.

[flexiblefine]

I'm a one-man web development team for a retail company. GTD helps me keep a grip on my various projects so things move appropriately.

[Bluesman]

I am a commercial litigation attorney in Ohio, coach for three soccer teams, and an active and involved father/husband (in reverse order).

[tominperu]

An English teacher and manager of a small language school in Lima, Peru.

[RuthMcT]

Community Paediatrician, specialising in disability, school health, and immunisation.

I'm still at the GTD lite stage, but gradually making progress, and it's already making a difference!

Ruth

[JohnParlabane]

I am a signmaker in Lincoln, NH

www.signsneversleep.com

[Tornado]

I'm a physicist

[coach]

*points at username*

girls high school basketball

[troy]

Coach eh? Leader in every part of the word.

Welcome to the forums. GTD, I'm sure you need it to manage high school girls to win championships.

[mike]

district sales manager for a pharmaceutical company...

[PDAJunky]

I'm a Sr. Pastor, leadership coach, and director of new church starts in our region.

[cornell]

My day job is doing programming in a machine learning (AI) research group at UMass/Amherst (USA).

The rest of the time I spend building my consulting practice in personal productivity, which was inspired by David Allen's great work, and the frankly amazing results I've experienced adopting GTD in my life.

[cornell]

First, thanks for the thread. Who *doesn't* like to talk about her or his life? :-)

Second, I think the relatively large range of professions reflected in the responses is notable, and demonstrates the general applicability of Allen's ideas to the world of "work." Neat!

[Day Owl]

Freelance editor, writer, and photographer.
Parent and grandparent.
On my "own" time, volunteer in the community and at my church.

[skygoddess]

Flight attendant, homemaker, busy mom of three! :)

[warren_t]

I'm a Operational Reporting Manager for a large Australian construction materials supply company. This means I design and manage effective business intelligence reporting from our data warehouse using well known data query and analysis software. I take masses of information and put it into a format that the average sales manager can use to make better sales decisions.

That all gets a bit much for some, so when they ask me I just tell them that I "work with computers" ;-)

GTD helps me manage the many and varied requests for development of reporting as well as allowing me to focus on promoting projects while still supporting my users.

[troy]

Flight attendant, homemaker, busy mom of three! :)
Takes a lot of planning I'm sure when your schedule is the way that it is.

Kudos to you... I know your always moving.

[IAmMichele]

I am a Jr. Escrow Officer. Tough to implement as it is an extremely interruption rich environment. So much of what is do is one quick step after another and there isn't a lot of room for planning.

[Vramin]

I am a Jr. Escrow Officer. Tough to implement as it is an extremely interruption rich environment. So much of what is do is one quick step after another and there isn't a lot of room for planning.
It's interesting how often this kind of comment comes up... It seems to me as if GTD is a response to how interrupt driven all of our lives tend to be in the information age. If I have the system in place, then I should be more able to respond to interrupts than in the past since all of the other stuff is out of my head, but accessible when the interrupts stop so I can give a plate or two a spin. For the most part, the "planning" is just picking that next action.

Sometimes I think we misinterpret what the "implementation" looks like. I was just reading Ready for Anything again, and David talked about how the idea of having all of these lists wasn't so that you would go and do all the stuff on the lists - it was so you could go and do other stuff without being bothered by the stuff on the lists. He was trimming a tree in his yard and having a blast at it, and it wasn't on a list anywhere... just seemed like the thing to do at the time. I know I've been enjoying goofing off and playing more since I implemented this system because I know exactly what I'm not doing instead of just laboring under this vague sense of "I really ought to be doing something else right now."

[Mindi]

I know I've been enjoying goofing off and playing more since I implemented this system because I know exactly what I'm not doing instead of just laboring under this vague sense of "I really ought to be doing something else right now."

I have had brief fits of this state you describe. I can't wait until I can live in it instead of just getting a glimpse from time to time.
;)M

[Dane Sanders]

I am a photographer and I also run a weekly video podcast called The Simple Photo Minute (http://simplephotominute.com) which is dedicated to making photographer's lives simpler.

Since we started the show in January, we've had about 120,000 visitors and over 300,000 hits ... modest by David Allen numbers :), but we're excited nonetheless.

I'm actually sharing all this because I'm interested in featuring GTD on an upcoming show and was wondering if anyone here might be interested in participating. Just a friendly invite :).

Thanks!

Dane Sanders
danesanders.com (http://danesanders.com)
simple photo minute (http://simplephotominute.com)

[DonK]

I am am Maine Guide and operate my own small business. I have periods with little customer activity and others taht are frantic. During the slow periods i have a long list of stuff that needs to get done. GTD has made a tremendous difference in keeping things from falling through the cracks.

[Eutychus]

[QUOTE=Dane Sanders]Since we started the show in January, we've had about 120,000 visitors and over 300,000 hits ... modest by David Allen numbers :), but we're excited nonetheless.
QUOTE]

That is a tremendous result, actually.

I am trying to get an insurance agency off the ground. It has been a struggle, largely because of my own lack of coordination. I have been intrigued with David Allen's approach because I use, on and off quite a few of these ideas, but have had no concept of how to integrate them together with a coherent purpose.

[georgemixon]

I am the Vice President for Industial Services for a large logistics company. I manage the "blue collar" contracts for our company.

[Vramin]

I have had brief fits of this state you describe. I can't wait until I can live in it instead of just getting a glimpse from time to time.
Heh. Can't say I live there, but I do have a time share.

[mmurray]

Two physicists ? :-) OK I am a mathematician in an Australian university with an interest in mathematical physics. Presently Head of School so far to many Projects.

Michael

[WebR0ver]

Project Manager in a technology company in the wireless industry.
Also, as the project manager most knowledgeable about the software tool we use, semi-product manager and application support for the tool throughout the company. Very different kinds of roles.

[1drummergirl]

I am a Generation Xer that never seems to settle down. I have had many careers...radio personality, computer software instructor, IT Analyst, Business Administrator, Business Owner, Marketing Director and presently I run my own website called Girls Can't WHAT? which is an inspirational site for women, where I discuss productivity, inspiration and following your dreams. The site officially launched last month and is doing phenominally well for my first crack at an internet business. I credit my GTD skills for making that happen as quickly as it did.

I also play drums in a recently formed band called "Amplified" and work in youth ministry and the music department at my church.

I have been "doing" GTD for about 7 years now and I learn new things every week. My system has morphed along with my career track. Sometimes I've needed intense structure and at other times I have had a more relaxed schedule. I have learned to go with the flow and do whatever it takes to be relaxed in what I am doing.

[gcjsd]

Three physicists!
I'm head of Medical Physics at a hospital in the UK.

[Matau]

First post so I thought I'd start here.....

Just implementing GTD at my workplace.....I am the Sydney Auction Manager for Langtons Wine Auctions in Australia.

Cheers

Dave

[12hourhalfday]

I'm Network and Telco Admin for a callcenter for a major hotel chain. I am also a semi-pro photographer and artist


http://www.unvoicedvisions.com

[12hourhalfday]

Vaguely described, "IT Specialist".

In my case it means that to varying degrees I'm a sysadmin, database admin, backup responsible, software developer and support technician. It's a varied job obviously, but sometimes you get stretched just a little too thin.

I've been getting started on GTD for about a year, and the recent two months have been pretty good - to the level where I actually feel that I'm "doing GTD". Hopefully the higher altitudes of planning will help out with trying to focus ahead a little more on my different areas of responsibility.


HAHAHAHA!!!! IT SPECIALIST! that's my title too!

[AlanS]

I am a small animal internal medicine specialist. I am just getting started with the GTD methods. I think that I have been able to twist some of the practices/recommendation to fit with a busy, highly reactive medical practice. If there are any other medical practitioners using the system I would love to hear how they use the GTD methods in their practice.
Thanks!

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Associate General Counsel at a $24 billion company in Texas.

[Eutychus]

I am an insurance agent. Working on the start up of a small agency. First time in a long time I have not had full time staff. Wish I had learned this stuff (GTD) 30 years ago.

[whitepants]

am a psychologist :D

[Zippy]

I maximise the learning potential of the future citizens of the nation.

(A science teacher and part-time bovine excretia spreader!)

[Barrance]

I am a Content Consultant. www.theitcontractor.co.uk

[ArtPal]

I'm an architect in Portugal, coordinating the urban planning dept. on a firm (greetings to my colleague that posted before). It means lots of interruptions, working 9/10+ hours a day, and lots of things to follow through: technical related, costumer and financial management... I'm trying to keep up with EVERYTHING (including family - I have two small kids), but the time does not expand, so I've started the implementation of GTD in the last two months as a way of making my life easier (I'm starting to remember more things now...).

[Scribner]

I'm a physician, just getting started with GTD. I'm currently in the phase "read the first third of the book GTD for the fourth time". I have signed up for a seminar next month and joined GTD Connect, so maybe I'll get something started!

[nick_ross]

Market Researcher - specialising in Healthcare

[slange64]

I specialize in 3D animation for the medical education arena and in broadcast design.

[MikeC]

I am a lowly accountant. CPA

And scared of the Dreaded Pirate Roberts

[Suelin23]

Studied as a chemical engineer, currently working as a Process Planner for a sewage treatment plant.

[lswartzen]

President of small liberal arts university

[Kourosh]

Author, psychiatrist, and musician - not necessarily in that order.

[rideon]

President of small liberal arts university

Hey Loren - fun to see someone else from Harrisonburg! Katherine

[pinkmouse]

Practice Manager of a veterinary hospital. GTD helps keep me sane! It allows me to maintain some feeling of control in an often chaotic environment. Thank you D.A.!

[PaulK]

Programme Manager in online retail

[hikerpa]

Respiratory Therapist

[arviescoot]

I'm a Business manager,and a Professional Teacher.

[mhm802]

Director of Development (fundraising) for regional art museum.

Really interesting to read about everyone's occupations/professions....