What is work that shows up?

[TesTeq]

Sure, I know for example that during lambing a certain percentage of the sheep will need assistance. So I plan not to leave the farm then and do prep things like stocking up with food and coffee before the lambalanch starts. I know that we will have storms and need to work on ditches, so I can prepare a list of phone numbers to call when there is an emergency. What I can't plan for is exactly when these things will occur.

You can have the same level disaster preparedness for "close encounters of the third kind" with your boss.

Have a pad and a pen for taking notes ready and your GTD Projects and Next Actions lists at hand.

[cwoodgold]

Is it possible to plan unplannable, unexpected workbthat shows up?

Sure. For example, I have a couple of physical inboxes that I usually keep empty.
They're for more urgent work that might come up from time to time.

David Allen says the art of personal productivity is a martial art. I consider that
to be a metaphor. In any case, he says it's because you need to be ready for
surprises. Martial arts experts may be ready at all times, being aware of the
distances and positions between themselves and other people during ordinary
times when no fight is going on, so they can avoid being in a vulnerable position
if a fight starts.

[CJSullivan]

Sure, I know for example that during lambing a certain percentage of the sheep will need assistance. So I plan not to leave the farm then and do prep things like stocking up with food and coffee before the lambalanch starts. I know that we will have storms and need to work on ditches, so I can prepare a list of phone numbers to call when there is an emergency. What I can't plan for is exactly when these things will occur.

This is eerily reminiscent of being an executive assistant! On any given day, a certain percentage of my "sheep" will need assistance. I have a list of phone numbers to call when there is an emergency. And I don't always know exactly when crises will occur! I now have a new model for executive assistants: shepherd!