New User....not at the relaxed stage yet!

I just implemented the GTD system into Outlook and have a few questions...thanks in advance for your help

1) I find that I am constantly going to the Next Action lists and completing actions which may not be the highest priority. Part of the reason I do this is that I am procrastinating in tackling the harder actions. How do I avoid this and go right to the highest priority action?

2) Also, in the same vein how often do I look at the @ACTION folder for actionable e-mails.

3) Finally, my job is one where I am free to come up with ideas/do research, etc so I am often faced with large blocks of free time. It is during these periods that I am checking NA's, working on NA's which aren't priorities, etc.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

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Originally Posted by stockman

1) I find that I am constantly going to the Next Action lists and completing actions which may not be the highest priority. Part of the reason I do this is that I am procrastinating in tackling the harder actions. How do I avoid this and go right to the highest priority action?

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First of all, it is not always bad thing that you are doing not the highest priority Next Actions (remember the four-criteria model for choosing actions in the moment). Also make sure your next actions really describe some phisical activity you need to do in a very clear way with all required details (so you don't have to rethink them every time you read them).
Another trick I used for myself (and we know that it's all about tricks) is for some complex things I create a really simple 5-10 mins next action just to start working on a project. Once I start it is not that hard to continue working on it. It just "start" part I usually have most of the resistance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stockman

1) I find that I am constantly going to the Next Action lists and completing actions which may not be the highest priority. Part of the reason I do this is that I am procrastinating in tackling the harder actions. How do I avoid this and go right to the highest priority action?

2) Also, in the same vein how often do I look at the @ACTION folder for actionable e-mails.

3) Finally, my job is one where I am free to come up with ideas/do research, etc so I am often faced with large blocks of free time. It is during these periods that I am checking NA's, working on NA's which aren't priorities, etc.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

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