What is the best part about doing GTD?

[Chas29]

What is the best part about doing GTD? Is it the enhanced productivity that gets accomplished? Is it the sometimes newfound ability to stay calm when faced with numerous hard choices? Or is it something else?

What is the best part?

Chas29

[Almost Done]

I posted this question about 3 pages ago ("What is your Holy GRail of GTD?") and got some great answers. Here is what I still stand by today:

My Holy Grail of GTD is reflecting time. If I can get the Weekly Review done and still have time to actually think about the work I have to do/most want to do I am happy. Since I started GTD this Jan, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of creative and courageous ideas I have had for 2012. This week I have an hour planned to reflect on a recent event I completed (thank you notes, incidental receipts to submit, lessons learned, next time do this, etc). I scheduled that during my WR, instead of reflecting during the WR.

But do check out that thread titled Holy Grail to hear more.

[TesTeq]

Mind like water is the ultimate result of GTD.

In karate there is an image that's used to define the position of perfect readiness: "mind like water." Just like water in a pond, your mind should be at peace most of the time. And it should only react when something is thrown into it. Imagine throwing a pebble into a still pond. How does the water respond? Water reacts exactly in proportion to the object thrown into it - with a big splash for a big rock, or a little ripple for a small pebble. And when the reaction is over, it goes back to a state of peace/calm. It doesn't overreact or underreact. Anything that causes you to overreact or underreact can control you, and often does. Responding inappropriately to your e-mail, your staff, your projects, your unread magazines, your thoughts about what you need to do, your children, or your boss will lead to less effective results than you'd like. Most people give either more or less attention to things than they deserve, simply because they don't operate with a "mind like water."

[vbampton]

It's being able to sleep all night without waking up worried about something.

It's being able to walk through the house without thinking "oh, I must..."

It's being able to relax in the garden without being overwhelmed by all the projects waiting to be done.

It's being able to focus on the task in hand without worrying about all the other things that aren't getting done.

[Chas29]

Good responses all, thanks. And I read your Holy Grail thread AD, thanks for pointing it out. I like this one:

It's being able to relax in the garden without being overwhelmed by all the projects waiting to be done.

Thanks again for the answers.

Chas29

[rightbrain]

its easier not to do things and feel good about it..thanks to david allen

. earlier i used to procastinate and worry, now i just procastinate.....

and only the most hi priority work gets done and it gets my 100 percent attention. the quality change in my output has been amazing and beyond my expectation. i recommend the gtd system to even my enemies.......so atleast we have a lavel playing field..its only then that the fun begins.

[cfoley]

The part I enjoy the most is when things get done without any effort on my part. On Sunday, I topped up the oil in my car while going about my usual Sunday routine. I used to put off checking my oil for months, let alone topping it up. It used to nag at me and I'd always have more important or urgent things to attend to. There are lots of small things that just flow better in my life because I can mop up the little things (buying oil) while I'm taking care of the bigger things (buying weekly groceries).

[Chas29]

The part I enjoy the most is when things get done without any effort on my part. On Sunday, I topped up the oil in my car while going about my usual Sunday routine. I used to put off checking my oil for months, let alone topping it up. It used to nag at me and I'd always have more important or urgent things to attend to. There are lots of small things that just flow better in my life because I can mop up the little things (buying oil) while I'm taking care of the bigger things (buying weekly groceries).

I like that [last sentence]. Thanks!

Chas29

[cwoodgold]

I like that [last sentence]. Thanks!

Chas29

Yes! When I started GTD there were things that bothered me over and over again every day, as in "Oh, yeah, that, I'll have to fix that when I have time". Such as bicycle maintenance. (I don't drive a car.) After doing GTD for a couple of months, I was surprised that I wasn't encountering frustrations like that. Things were already done. I was almost complaining, "No fair -- I have nothing to complain about now!" as if I was all ready to express frustration, out of habit, but there was nothing to express frustration about. There are still things that aren't done, but they're things that I've decided I don't have the time and energy to do in the near future, so I'm calm about them.

[Zoltan]

For me, the best part about GTD is the state of Mind Like Water. This involves the power of being fully present to what is, and responding appropriately without overreacting or underreacting. This is an incredibly powerful state.

A few days ago in one of my seminars, I shared this quote from Bruce Lee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIX3p-1tOik

Be water, my friends.