Getting things done (GTD), the action management system
for maximizing your personal productivity
Getting things done is an action management system that improves personal productivity and, at the same time, it has the effect of reducing the stress created by information overload. An agitated life in which everything seems to go on quickly, causing a continuous feeling of overwhelming, can be transformed through this method into a pleasantly relaxed and perfectly balanced life.
The method was launched in 2001 with the book Getting things done: the art of stress-free productivity by David Alen (born December 28, 1945), a productivity consultant widely recognized as an expert on personal and organizational productivity.
Later in 2015, a Revised edition was published, which also addresses contemporary issues that affect our productivity, such as the to-do list activities that we never get to do, multi-tasking or emails.
We collect things that command our attention; process what they mean and what to do with them; and organize the results, which we review as options for what we choose to do
This stage involves collecting all that is relevant as an activity, regardless of the importance or urgency. For example, personal ideas, emails, reports, agenda items, phone calls. It can be done through collection tools like email, trays, folders, notebook)
In this stage, it analyzes what it means to be able to be classified in a certain category of activities. These categories are actions, decision points, external memories. The decision is made based on the fact that it requires an immediate sequence of processing, delayed processing or follow-up processes.
It means taking each of the captured things and classifying them in an external memory or taking the corresponding action. This action is performed based on the answers to the questions:
If yes, then decide what is the next physical action:
If yes, then store it in the Projects list
If not then do it immediately
If no, eliminate it
If yes store it in Someday / maybe list
If no then delegate-it
This involves the daily review of your list of Calendar and Next actions, as well as a weekly review of all your files. This step is essential because it will help you to keep the collection places clean and in order.
This step is the one where a decision is made about which action to perform. The method proposes 3 possible strategies:
Do work as it shows up by considering in order the following factors:You can perform activities stress free and you can turn your work into a continuous source of satisfaction.
That's exactly what you get if you set up the Getting things done (GTD) action management system.
Very effective for maximizing your personal productivity has proven to be the use of PlanArty a time management solution that provides you with a multitude of features, tools and techniques specially designed for this purpose.
