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Getting Things Done Update

Last Updated November 13, 2007 by Matt 4 Comments

It’s been almost a month since I’ve started Getting Things Done (GTD). I must say, the results haven’t been mind-blowing, because I wasn’t too horribly disorganized, but there are a few things that are great:

  • My mind stays empty. I use the GTD system to get stuff out of my mind and into my GTD system. I use Remember the Milk to keep track of my next actions, projects, and other lists.
  • I don’t forget to do things. Every now and then, when someone would ask me to do something or send them an email about something, I would tell them “If you don’t hear from me in a few days, email me a reminder because I might have forgotten.” Now, when someone asks me to do something, I write it down, put it in the inbox, and it gets done.
  • I am using my calendar. This is a great thing. I have an old fashioned paper calendar that I take with me to home and the office. I use it for work and personal things. I can look at it and know when I am or am not available.
  • My desk stays clean. I only work on one thing at a time, and when I am finished with that one thing I put it up. I leave every night and arrive every morning to a clean desk. If you click on the photo below, you will be taken to a flickr page that describes how I have my workspace set up. Just mouse-over different elements in the picture and a description will pop-up.

My desk

However, I have discovered that GTD doesn’t do your work for you. Your next action list gets longer, and there are still things to do (even things you don’t want to do!). You still have to force yourself to do the things that you have to do. But overall, I am liking using the system. I’ve got more fine-tuning to do, and I want to implement it fully at home, but I just haven’t gotten around to it, yet.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: GTD, Getting Things Done

About Matt

Matt Cleaver has written since 2004 on youth ministry, theology, and the church. His blog was ranked by Youth Specialties as a Top 20 Youth Ministry Blog. Click here for Matt's list of the Best Youth Ministry Books.

Comments

  1. Brit Windel says

    November 13, 2007 at 9:09 am

    that flicker note is sickining i’ll have you know

    Reply
  2. Sadie Perkins says

    November 13, 2007 at 12:18 pm

    I don’t know how the GTD plan would work for me. This is how it would play out in the Perkins’ home.
    Rusty: Ok Sadie, remember, things that take less than two minutes to complete, you do them. Got it?
    Sadie: Got it.
    Rusty: (looks around at all the two minute tasks in the house) See you later
    Sadie: Yep
    -Later that evening-
    Rusty: Umm, hi? What did you do today?
    Sadie: (stting on the couch) Well I sat down to make a list of all the things that take less than two mintues to do, and the list was so big that I realized that I would be spending my entire day doing countless two minute tasks and that kind of defeats the purpose. Then I needed a break so I sat here and before I knew it I ate a dozen cookies.
    Rusty: (punches self in face)

    Reply
  3. Brit Windel says

    November 13, 2007 at 4:15 pm

    hhahahahahaha

    Reply
  4. Sadie says

    November 14, 2007 at 11:06 am

    I have my own category on your sidebar! You are awesome Matt!!
    I’m thinking about trying to get Donald Miller to let me interview him for my foundations class. It was Rusty’s idea and the brilliance of it almost made my head explode.

    Reply

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