October 18, 2010

GTD Control & Perspective, David Allen speaking at The Do Lectures

Note: I love GTD and David Allen, but check out the video still of him up close and personal with a big PLAY arrow on his nose. Woops.

Got stuff pulling on your psyche that is preventing you from getting anything done?

5 Things to Gain Control

Capture things not under control, not on cruise control (collect stuff); aka Cognitive distribution. The mind is for having ideas, not holding them. Is it really something you want to do something about?
Clarify exactly what that thing is and why you have your attention on it? Are you going to do anything about that thing? Yes or No. What is the final outcome? What are the actions to kick starting it?
Organize the results of those questions into a system that you will engage with on a regular basis.
Reflect on a regular basis (through weekly and daily reviews) on the commitments you have captured and clarified.
Engage with your system on a regular basis and take action to get things done.

How do I then decide what's the right thing to do out of all that?

5 Things to Gain Perspective

purpose/principles .... Ultimate intentionality
vision ... What would my purpose successfully fulfilled look like in the world? 5 years out?
goals ... What do you need to accomplish within the next 11 months? 18 months? 14 months?
responsibilities .. What are the 4-7 areas that you are required to maintain at a certain level or standard? What are the hats required to wear in the organization? At home?
projects ... What are the things you can accomplish within 1 year that requires more than one step to complete?
actions ... What I now have to do? Send an email. Make a call. Write a proposal.

"There's an inverse relationship between the amount something is on your mind and how much it's getting done.'

"If you don't pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, than it will take more of your attention than it deserves."

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