hPDA and Notebook for GTD

[cornell]

OK, I think you're asking how to structure a paper-based GTD system. No problem. Like any system, it's four things: A Calendar, and three lists: Actions, Projects, and Waiting For. (This comes from the "Yes" branch of Allen's workflow diagram.) When starting, I don't recommend breaking actions into separate contexts - save that for if and when your actions get too complicated and need categorization.

I carry a DayTimer planner with a calendar section and a tabbed section. Tabs: Capture, Actions, Waiting For, and Projects. That's it, and it's all in one place. The address section is a bonus. Of course the same set-up works for a digital tool...

Hope that helps.

[Brent]

Write the Actions wherever it makes sense to you. A few examples:

On a whiteboard at your desk
In a computer file
On 3x5 cards that you carry with you
In a notebook that you carry with you
In a notebook at your desk
On a PDA
On a phone

[petdr]

I have a hPDA with the following sections:

@Work
@Errands
@Calls
@Home

and a notebook w/ tabs for:

Work To-Do
Personal To-Do
and Calls

I got things under the appropriate columns and go forth...should I be doing something different?

I don't have a Projects/Next Actions list...

Thanks in advance

JJSOmaha,
Why do you have both a hPDA and a notebook? Your sections are the same in both. I assume within your "To-Do Work" tab, you have Work Next Actions similar to your @Work in your hPDA?

If you need to separate your work and personal Next Actions, you can modify your @Calls to @Calls-wk and @Calls-pers etc... I find it easier to lump all @Calls together. But your situation may be different.

If you need to have both the hPDA (for portability) and the notebook with tabs, change the labels so they both reflect the same thing.

You can still keep your notebook tabs except drop the "To-Do" as it confuses people
So you have TWO main sections: WORK and PERSONAL
Within those two sections, you have your context tabs: @Calls (again, you can add -wk or -pers if needed), @Errands ... etc.

You would then note your Next Actions in the appropriate section/tab.

As for your hPDA, have the same context as the above. At the end of the day or as time permits, transfer your Next Action from the index cards to the appropriate are of the notebook. Or you can hole-punch the cards and add it directly to the notebook (maybe a Circa sysem is to your liking?)

Have a section in the front of your notebook and hPDA for collection, where you jot down anything and everything that comes to you during the day. You can review and add them to the appropriate sections later (process).

There's also Project List and other things you can add but seems like you just need to start with straightening your hPDA and notebook first.

I don't know how familiar you are with GTD, so ask if questions.

[ggoldman]

I like to have one thing, with everything in it. So I would go to either the hPDA or the notebook and use blanks, ie notecards or notepads for capture tools. I try to keep it simple. So I would either use the hPDA and keep blamk notecards for capture, or the notebook which I assume has some blank paper for capture.