David Allen Company Updates

60 en-us David Allen Company Updates Featuring company news, blogs, articles, and podcasts designed to help you win at the game of work and business of life. http://www.davidco.com/master_rss.php ℗ & © 1969 The David Allen Company Winning At The Game Of Work And Business Of Life David Allen & Company Podcasts on productivity and Getting Things Done®. The David Allen Company info@davidco.com no Podcast: Danny Bader - Taking Time to Think info@davidco.com (David Allen) --> Coach and Senior Presenter Danny Bader shares the value of the public GTD classes. When is the last time you had a day to think about how you think? Click here to listen now or click here to download. (mp3, 01:46). For access to all previous podcasts, check out our complete podcast feed.

Related Links:

info@davidco.com (David Allen) http://www.davidco.com/podcasts/play/40.html http://www.davidco.com/audio/DavidonGoals.mp3 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:31:01 PST 4:25 Member Exclusive: Tracking Delegation Just curious - how many of you track most or all of the things you delegate on your "Waiting For" list? I feel that I need to do so, for fear of something slipping through the cracks if I don't. The rule I've been using is, if it's something I care about happening, then I need to track it.

]]> connect@davidco.com (David Allen) http://www.davidco.com/connect/forum_view.php?t=10930 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:01:04 PDT forum GTD Getting Things Done Productivity http://www.davidco.com/connect/forum_view.php?t=10930 GTD Connect Member Exclusive: Need Help With Basics - Outlook GTD Add-in I am a new GTD wannabe. I need help with two questions I have - basics of setting up my system nad then how to do it in Outlook 2007 GTD Add-in. The confusion arose becasue I heard in a webminar that call pete will not be a next action, if you have to call Fred first before you could call Pete. ...

]]> connect@davidco.com (David Allen) http://www.davidco.com/connect/forum_view.php?t=10928 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:25:22 PDT forum GTD Getting Things Done Productivity http://www.davidco.com/connect/forum_view.php?t=10928 GTD Connect Member Exclusive: David Allen On Twitter Plum blossoms explode, disregarding what I think. Am I the dummy?

]]> connect@davidco.com (David Allen) http://twitter.com/gtdguy/statuses/10547087962 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:55:56 PDT twitter GTD Getting Things Done Productivity http://twitter.com/gtdguy/statuses/10547087962 GTD Connect GTD Times: Diving back into the GTD pool I want to share this wonderful email I received from Gerald today. Not only because he shares about GTD Connect (which of course we think is terrific!)--but he shares a common experience I think some people have in trying to implement GTD. Some people try GTD, put it (kick it) aside, then come back to give it another go and it just pops for them. If that's you, give it another go. You may find you have fresh eyes and a deeper understanding to make it work for you. And if it's not for you, that's OK too (although I doubt you're even reading GTD Times if that's the case.) I want you know that since I have returned to GTD (over 2 months now), I have joined GTD Connect and listened to 38 podcasts out of the 145 from Connect that I have downloaded to my iPhone. I cannot begin to tell you how much they have helped and inspired me. Hearing you, David, Meg and others patiently go over and over the concepts, pitfalls, suggestions, etc. have helped more than anything. I not only feel like I have an intellectual grasp of the concepts, but I feel part of a support group that will be there with me over the long haul. I actually feel a personal connection with you, David and Meg especially. Plus, I am hearing it....really hearing it....if you know what I mean..... :-) The first time I got into GTD was a couple of years ago. I did not sign up for Connect. I didn't do weekly reviews. I did not use all the support available. I ended up with lots of un-reviewed lists and everything back in my head along with all the chaos. When I surrendered a couple of months ago, it was a deep surrender. I am definitely "ALL IN." GTD Connect holds the world's largest library of GTD podcasts, documents and articles. Note: Podcasts are only an option for monthly or annual members (not free trial participants. But the free trial will allow you to watch or listen to them on the site.)

which of course we think is terrific!)--but he shares a common experience I think some people have in trying to implement GTD. Some people try GTD, put it (kick it) aside, then come back to give it another go and it just pops for them. If that's you, give it another go. You may find you have fresh eyes and a deeper understanding to make it work for you. And if it's not for you, that's OK too (although I doubt you're even reading GTD Times if that's the case.)

I want you know that since I have returned to GTD (over 2 months now), I have joined GTD Connect and listened to 38 podcasts out of the 145 from Connect that I have downloaded to my iPhone. I cannot begin to tell you how much they have helped and inspired me. Hearing you, David, Meg and others patiently go over and over the concepts, pitfalls, suggestions, etc. have helped more than anything. I not only feel like I have an intellectual grasp of the concepts, but I feel part of a support group that will be there with me over the long haul. I actually feel a personal connection with you, David and Meg especially. Plus, I am hearing it....really hearing it....if you know what I mean..... :-) The first time I got into GTD was a couple of years ago. I did not sign up for Connect. I didn't do weekly reviews. I did not use all the support available. I ended up with lots of un-reviewed lists and everything back in my head along with all the chaos. When I surrendered a couple of months ago, it was a deep surrender. I am definitely "ALL IN."

GTD Connect holds the world's largest library of GTD podcasts, documents and articles. Note: Podcasts are only an option for monthly or annual members (not free trial participants. But the free trial will allow you to watch or listen to them on the site.)

]]> info@davidco.com (The David Allen Company) http://www.gtdtimes.com/2010/03/15/diving-back-into-the-gtd-pool Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:09:10 PDT GTD Getting Things Done David Allen http://www.gtdtimes.com/2010/03/15/diving-back-into-the-gtd-pool GTD Times GTD Times: David Allen's travel checklist I suggest that people build into their personal systems whatever checklists might prevent things from glitching on the back end, assuming they are reviewed appropriately. A great example, for people who travel, is the "travel checklist"--everything that you might ever want to take with you anywhere. Doesn't mean you have to pack it! Just that you want to consider the option so you don't miss something. People often jokingly ask for mine to start with, to save them some time, so... here it is. (I suggest you copy and paste into your word processor, and customize it for yourself. If you have a boat, go fishing regularly, or have other special kinds of trips, you might want a separate checklist for those. I used to additionally have a "take to boat" checklist, when I was sailing regularly.) David Allen's Travel Checklist UNDERWEAR SOCKS SUITS TIES DRESS SHIRTS SLACKS CASUAL PANTS BELTS DRESS SHOES JEANS SPORT BELT SNEAKERS T-SHIRTS TOILETRY KIT HAIR DRYER GLASSES SUNGLASSES ALARM CLOCK UMBRELLA BOTTLED WATER GLOVES OVERCOAT CUFFLINKS RUNNING SHORTS RUNNING SHIRTS RUNNING SHOES RUNNING SUIT RUNNING GLOVES EAR MUFFS BATHING SUIT SWIM GOGGLES MOCCASINS SANDALS SWEATERS JACKETS SCARVES SLIPPERS SHORTS SUN LOTION BUG SPRAY STATIC SPRAY TOTE BAG IRON STEAMER SHOE RUBBERS HANDKERCHIEFS TENNIS BALL NECK & BACK SUPPORTS CLOTHES BAG CLOTHESPINS COMPUTER AC CHARGER CORD DC POWER CORD DICTATION GEAR HANDHELD CHARGER IR KIT for POWERPOINT CELL PHONE PHONE BATTERIES PHONE CHARGER BATTERIES - AAs & AAAs EARPHONES BRIEFCASE PACK KEYS TICKETS CLIENT INFO CITY INFO UPGRADE CERTIFICATES MAPS MISC. READING OVERHEADS MARKER PENS BUSINESS CARDS PROMO MATERIALS WRITING PAD MODULE PADS (xtra?) ENVELOPES PETTY CASH ENVELOPE IN-TRAY COACHING SUPPLIES (LABELER, LAMINATES) AIRLINE CARDS/UPGRADES CAMERA - 35mm/Pocket FILM BINOCULARS HANDLED? PRINT OFF THE WEB PHONE SILENCED WEATHER CHECKED CAR RENTAL CAR P/U ARRANGED COMPUTER BACKED UP LOTUS NOTES REPLICATED HANDHELD SYNCED TICKLER FILE FORWARDED SPRINKLERS CASH International PASSPORT ADAPTERS FOREIGN LANGUAGE BOOK

Doesn't mean you have to pack it! Just that you want to consider the option so you don't miss something. People often jokingly ask for mine to start with, to save them some time, so... here it is. (I suggest you copy and paste into your word processor, and customize it for yourself. If you have a boat, go fishing regularly, or have other special kinds of trips, you might want a separate checklist for those. I used to additionally have a "take to boat" checklist, when I was sailing regularly.) David Allen's Travel Checklist UNDERWEAR SOCKS SUITS TIES DRESS SHIRTS SLACKS CASUAL PANTS BELTS DRESS SHOES JEANS SPORT BELT SNEAKERS T-SHIRTS TOILETRY KIT HAIR DRYER GLASSES SUNGLASSES ALARM CLOCK UMBRELLA BOTTLED WATER GLOVES OVERCOAT CUFFLINKS RUNNING SHORTS RUNNING SHIRTS RUNNING SHOES RUNNING SUIT RUNNING GLOVES EAR MUFFS BATHING SUIT SWIM GOGGLES MOCCASINS SANDALS SWEATERS JACKETS SCARVES SLIPPERS SHORTS SUN LOTION BUG SPRAY STATIC SPRAY TOTE BAG IRON STEAMER SHOE RUBBERS HANDKERCHIEFS TENNIS BALL NECK & BACK SUPPORTS CLOTHES BAG CLOTHESPINS COMPUTER AC CHARGER CORD DC POWER CORD DICTATION GEAR HANDHELD CHARGER IR KIT for POWERPOINT CELL PHONE PHONE BATTERIES PHONE CHARGER BATTERIES - AAs & AAAs EARPHONES BRIEFCASE PACK KEYS TICKETS CLIENT INFO CITY INFO UPGRADE CERTIFICATES MAPS MISC. READING OVERHEADS MARKER PENS BUSINESS CARDS PROMO MATERIALS WRITING PAD MODULE PADS (xtra?) ENVELOPES PETTY CASH ENVELOPE IN-TRAY COACHING SUPPLIES (LABELER, LAMINATES) AIRLINE CARDS/UPGRADES CAMERA - 35mm/Pocket FILM BINOCULARS HANDLED? PRINT OFF THE WEB PHONE SILENCED WEATHER CHECKED CAR RENTAL CAR P/U ARRANGED COMPUTER BACKED UP LOTUS NOTES REPLICATED HANDHELD SYNCED TICKLER FILE FORWARDED SPRINKLERS CASH International PASSPORT ADAPTERS FOREIGN LANGUAGE BOOK

]]> info@davidco.com (The David Allen Company) http://www.gtdtimes.com/2010/03/14/david-allens-travel-checklist Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:00:20 PDT GTD Getting Things Done David Allen http://www.gtdtimes.com/2010/03/14/david-allens-travel-checklist GTD Times GTD Times: Inbox Creep A community contribution by Meghan Wilker. Join Meghan and Coach Kelly Forrister on the upcoming Webinar for GTD Connect Members--"Productive Use of Social Media." When Google unveiled Buzz a few weeks ago (and Wave a couple of months before that), it got me to thinking about how the emergence of each new technology often means an associated emergence of a new inbox. These new inboxes now can sometimes creep up without us noticing right away. For example, when I got an iPhone in 2007, texting suddenly became a major new source of input. Don't get me wrong: I'm a self-professed "Geek Girl" -- it's not like I didn't have a phone capable of texting before 2007. I did. But, it was rather clunky and I didn't use it often. Most people I knew didn't use it much (I'm a Gen Xer, so we don't text as profusely as those Gen Y youngins do). Once I got an iPhone, texting was suddenly dead simple. Once my PARENTS got iPhones...good night. Suddenly I was getting texts from my Baby Boomer dad ("Hi, honey!" "Did you get that?" "Is this working?") As part of one's GTD Weekly review, it can be useful to also monitor the landscape for new collection areas that may have cropped up. Because I work in the internet technology realm, I need to do this more often than others (like, every few weeks). For muggles, quarterly or even annually may be enough. Below is a list of new collection areas to watch out for. In an upcoming Connect webinar I'll share some of my strategies for dealing with them, and talk about some inboxes I'm struggling with right now. Digital Inboxes - Email - Text Messages - Instant Messages - Blog Comments: your own blog, blogs you contribute to, or posts you are monitoring - Twitter: people you are following, @replies, direct messages - Yammer: Yammer is a private version of Twitter, often used inside companies. (My company is experimenting with this right now.) - Social Bookmarking: e.g. Delicious - RSS Feeds - LinkedIn: Updates, Answers, Group discussions - Facebook: Friends you are following, Comments, Messages - Discussion Boards and Forums - Google Wave: My brain is melting... - Google Buzz: My head has exploded. Goal My goal is to have as many collection areas as I need, but no more. Strategies My strategy is to aggregate as many inputs into my email inbox as possible. I do this for a few reasons: 1. it simplifies processing and tracking because I'm already in the habit of checking and emptying that inbox regularly (I aim for Inbox 0 once a day) and 2. budgers piss me off. Budgers One of my issues with all these new inboxes cropping up is that it reminds me of standing in a long line at a store when the phone rings. How the store handles the call says a lot. If they deal with the call while everyone else waits, it makes you think -- damn, I wish I could have called. I'd be at the front of this line! If they put them on hold, and deal with them as if they *were* in line -- it somehow feels better. More fair. My attention is the same way. Every one of the inboxes I listed above is constantly jostling with the others to get my attention. Each one thinks they're more important than the others. They all try to budge in front of the others in line. All the time. When someone instant messages me, I have to get back to them this instant, right?! Wrong. I try to be careful about who and what I allow to budge in line for my attention. Letting some things budge isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is a bad thing if I'm allowing myself to get distracted by stuff that I don't want to be distracted by. If I'm letting my brain be led around on a leash that I'm not controlling, how do I know it falls in line with any of my own projects and goals? It's basically a "You kids get off my lawn!!!" approach. Approach Aggregating everything into email is not for everyone; I have co-workers who think I'm insane. But, I don't want to have to remember to go to 10 different places to see if there's anything I need to deal with. I like launching Mail and knowing that 90% of what I need to deal with is represented there. For some people, this would be crazy-making, but I've gotten used to receiving massive amounts of email so it doesn't stress me out anymore. I've also gotten good at processing email very, very quickly. In my experience, this is not so much about learning keyboard shortcuts or being a fast reader as it is about making decisions quickly. Over time, I've practiced how to decide what to do about things in my inboxes very quickly. I've added a question to the very end of my weekly review. I don't look at it every week, but every so often I do: "Are there any new sources of input that have cropped up? Any new "inboxes"? How are you handling and managing those inputs?" Meghan Wilker is a regular community contributor to GTD Times. She's also been featured in David Allen's In Conversation series on GTD Connect, spotlighting some of the most fascinating people in our network of GTD'ers around the world.

A community contribution by Meghan Wilker. Join Meghan and Coach Kelly Forrister on the upcoming Webinar for GTD Connect Members--"Productive Use of Social Media." When Google unveiled Buzz a few weeks ago (and Wave a couple of months before that), it got me to thinking about how the emergence of each new technology often means an associated emergence of a new inbox. These new inboxes now can sometimes creep up without us noticing right away. For example, when I got an iPhone in 2007, texting suddenly became a major new source of input. Don't get me wrong: I'm a self-professed "Geek Girl" -- it's not like I didn't have a phone capable of texting before 2007. I did. But, it was rather clunky and I didn't use it often. Most people I knew didn't use it much (I'm a Gen Xer, so we don't text as profusely as those Gen Y youngins do). Once I got an iPhone, texting was suddenly dead simple. Once my PARENTS got iPhones...good night. Suddenly I was getting texts from my Baby Boomer dad ("Hi, honey!" "Did you get that?" "Is this working?") As part of one's GTD Weekly review, it can be useful to also monitor the landscape for new collection areas that may have cropped up. Because I work in the internet technology realm, I need to do this more often than others (like, every few weeks). For muggles, quarterly or even annually may be enough. Below is a list of new collection areas to watch out for. In an upcoming Connect webinar I'll share some of my strategies for dealing with them, and talk about some inboxes I'm struggling with right now. Digital Inboxes - Email - Text Messages - Instant Messages - Blog Comments: your own blog, blogs you contribute to, or posts you are monitoring - Twitter: people you are following, @replies, direct messages - Yammer: Yammer is a private version of Twitter, often used inside companies. (My company is experimenting with this right now.) - Social Bookmarking: e.g. Delicious - RSS Feeds - LinkedIn: Updates, Answers, Group discussions - Facebook: Friends you are following, Comments, Messages - Discussion Boards and Forums - Google Wave: My brain is melting... - Google Buzz: My head has exploded. Goal My goal is to have as many collection areas as I need, but no more. Strategies My strategy is to aggregate as many inputs into my email inbox as possible. I do this for a few reasons: 1. it simplifies processing and tracking because I'm already in the habit of checking and emptying that inbox regularly (I aim for Inbox 0 once a day) and 2. budgers piss me off. Budgers One of my issues with all these new inboxes cropping up is that it reminds me of standing in a long line at a store when the phone rings. How the store handles the call says a lot. If they deal with the call while everyone else waits, it makes you think -- damn, I wish I could have called. I'd be at the front of this line! If they put them on hold, and deal with them as if they *were* in line -- it somehow feels better. More fair. My attention is the same way. Every one of the inboxes I listed above is constantly jostling with the others to get my attention. Each one thinks they're more important than the others. They all try to budge in front of the others in line. All the time. When someone instant messages me, I have to get back to them this instant, right?! Wrong. I try to be careful about who and what I allow to budge in line for my attention. Letting some things budge isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is a bad thing if I'm allowing myself to get distracted by stuff that I don't want to be distracted by. If I'm letting my brain be led around on a leash that I'm not controlling, how do I know it falls in line with any of my own projects and goals? It's basically a "You kids get off my lawn!!!" approach. Approach Aggregating everything into email is not for everyone; I have co-workers who think I'm insane. But, I don't want to have to remember to go to 10 different places to see if there's anything I need to deal with. I like launching Mail and knowing that 90% of what I need to deal with is represented there. For some people, this would be crazy-making, but I've gotten used to receiving massive amounts of email so it doesn't stress me out anymore. I've also gotten good at processing email very, very quickly. In my experience, this is not so much about learning keyboard shortcuts or being a fast reader as it is about making decisions quickly. Over time, I've practiced how to decide what to do about things in my inboxes very quickly. I've added a question to the very end of my weekly review. I don't look at it every week, but every so often I do: "Are there any new sources of input that have cropped up? Any new "inboxes"? How are you handling and managing those inputs?" Meghan Wilker is a regular community contributor to GTD Times. She's also been featured in David Allen's In Conversation series on GTD Connect, spotlighting some of the most fascinating people in our network of GTD'ers around the world.

]]> info@davidco.com (The David Allen Company) http://www.gtdtimes.com/2010/03/12/inbox-creep Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:58:30 PST GTD Getting Things Done David Allen http://www.gtdtimes.com/2010/03/12/inbox-creep GTD Times