My Early GTD Insights

[roakleyca]

I do have some positives from my GTD system, but here I will focus on the negatives:

First, I might as well list my tools:
- pad of paper in back pocket at all times for capture
- Outlook complete with GTD Add-in of course. Just tell me what to buy Mr. Allen......
- Blackberry complete with NextAction (which really does help!)
- Missing tools? Someone to make my life/project/action decisions for me........isn't that what we're all really looking for here?

1. I would rather "do" a task even if it is going to take me 5 or 10 minutes than enter it into my "system".

2. I tend to be attracted to more "simple" tasks and "projects" since they are easier to define, track, complete, and remove in my GTD system. I guess that hasn't changed from my pre-GTD self.

3. As my lists get longer and longer, I become numb and number (yes, there is a reference to dumb and dumber in there). I also start to duplicate things - like I can't remember if I've already inputed a certain task/project into the appropriate place so later I'll see it twice. Yes, I know I need to do more weekly reviews....shesh!

4. Right now, I feel much more anxiety about my 'stuff' then I ever did before GTD --- out of sight out of mind and ignorance is bliss are principles I am really starting to think are underrated....so is irresponsibility.

5. I have also been "doing" less since I got into (I wouldn't use the term started) GTD about 2.5 months ago. I read GTD blogs and posts like it's porn. And I read DA's GTD book over and over to the point that I have not read a non-GTD book for months. And I used to love reading fiction!!! I am convinced that there is no greater procrastinating tool like reading about other people being productive!!! You get the feeling of getting things done vicariously through other people - without actually getting things done yourself! Long live 43 Folders.

6. I realize that most of my stuff on my lists are things I don't really want to do. This again, should not come as a surprise since I have known for a while that my job and I don't really jive. If there is something I enjoy doing --- I usually just do it instead of adding it to a list.

7. All I need is one more (tool, software, way of thinking, blog article, hour, dollar) and I'll be in the grove. Is it too much to ask to just enjoy being happy with where I am now??? Of course not.

8. Despite all of the above - I LOVE GTD! How is that possible???

Have a great weekend all.

Ryan