Comments for sursumcorda.salemsattic.com/post/getting-things-done

Comment #2069

2010-08-19T13:51:04Z

I'll admit it: I'm tied to the computer. If I'm going to be away from home for any length of time, it comes with me. I would guess that 90% of the work I do involves the computer one way or another. I like computers, and naturally any organizational system I implement will be computer-based.

Or not. Actually, except for an online calendar, which I use so others can collaborate—and e-mail, of course—I've been doing my GTD work offline. Paper. Physical inbox, file folders, and sticky notes. It may be crazy, but I felt the need for a physical system exactly because I do so much else on the computer.

I also disregarded, in part, the author's advice to make everything convenient to hand. I see the importance of having things easily available and visible, but much as I'm tempted to put everything within reach, I've put some things a little further away—though still visible—just to get myself up out of the chair more frequently.

Comment #2068

2010-08-10T23:09:16Z

I'm beginning to get excited about this. Gradually, the years of accumulation of projects and everyday tasks and chaos are coalescing into something that might, just might, get on the right track for getting done. I still think the book is poorly written, but the ideas are beginning to make sense as I attempt to implement them—thanks to Janet having done much of the leg-, er, brain-work already, and holding my hand through the process.

Comment #2067

2010-08-04T22:36:21Z

I'm finally to the beginning stage of implementation! The "inbox" is a vital tool in the GTD system, and I came screeching up against the frustration that my desk was so crowded there simply wasn't room for an inbox. Nor to do any work not directly involving the computer. Psychologically, I had to deal with that before I could think about anything else.

Now, finally, after much heavy thinking and heavy lifting—pulling a muscle in my arm—I have a space I can work with. It's not perfect, but that's okay; success in GTD, as in many things, is an iterative process. But I couldn't go anywhere feeling so claustrophobic.

I still don't have an inbox, though. I'm temporarily using a banker's file box, as in the initial stage you need something much bigger than you will need later.

Ganbarimasu!

Comment #2066

2010-08-03T13:09:17Z

Congratulations! (And thanks for the inspiration; I need all I can get as I face things here....)

Comment #2065

2010-08-03T12:26:51Z

Just from reading Janet's review, I implemented "what's the next action?" to my overflowing physical inbox. (Prompted by Jonathan's, "mom, your inbox is overflowing!")

It worked great! There had been stuff in there for months, sitting around because I didn't know what to do with it. One thing was a paper item, reminding me of a potential Christmas present for Jon. So then all I had to do was write down the info on my "present" list in my planner, and the paper went away! Why didn't I think of that before? Well, when the option wasn't "put the paper back in my inbox and think about it later" I could actually think of the correct action.