Question: Have you used the GTD method? Is it worth the effort and overhead?

teamsteem (74) · 8 years ago (edited)

But wow! Even thought I've never heard about that before, This seems so powerful. I mean, I can see it work without never having using it. I'll sure try to make the best use of this method! Thank you!

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2 votes

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

You're welcome! I guess I have to try it too, but I just have the feeling that trying isn't enough to experience the real benefit, but one should implement the method properly.

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rznag (61) · 8 years ago (edited)

Yes. Read it, really good for inspiration.
Partially. I modified them to match my specific requirements.
Yes, it works. Putting things on list is the best you can do. Really helps you to keep your brain free for important things instead of remembering things you shouldn` t forget.
Yes, it` s worth it.

What i can recommend is zendone.com for implementing the whole gtd flow.
Can be linked with evernote and google calendar which you use for collecting everything and then organize it later in zendone.

GTD helped me to organize my daily life even better than i did it before. I always had lists but if you don` t work with them regularly things are easily forgotten. You have to make this whole flow a new habit, but then you will be for sure more productive.
Also if you do it on a daily basis i would say it removes overhead instead of adding it because you don` t have to waste your thoughts and time at things several times.
Either you work tasks off directly if it can be done in less than 3minutes or you put it on a list from where you will pick it up at a later time.

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3 votes

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago (edited)

You have to make this whole flow a new habit, but then you will be for sure more productive.

This answered my question really well, because I don't really believe in "just trying". So many people here confirm it's efficacy, so I will just have to start doing it. I already started to read the book.

Thanks for the reply and for the suggestion! I will have a look at it. I like your clear answers, and check out your blog.

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rznag (61) · 8 years ago

Glad it helped you. I` m sure you will learn something good while reading it. As someone stated lots is common sense but there are also some ideas which let you rethink certain flows in your life. Even if you don` t implement it 1:1 like described it helps to improve daily life management.

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senseiteekay (66) · 8 years ago

I do this every day. I have a diary where I place everything in order to forget about them until the day it needs to be done. I have to-do lists that I fill out regularly and cross out regularly. I also write down any info like books or music that I want to download in the future, along with things I want to purchase in the future. I've only been doing this for the last year and it's honestly helped me turn my life around. I used to be an unorganized stoner. Now I'm a business man!

Haven't read the book so I'm unsure what GTD means exactly. I'll write it down on my books to read list ;)

3 votes

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

Turn your life around? That sounds quite incredible! I just love it when someone finds some simple philosophy and puts it into practice.
Thanks for your comment!

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igorterleg (36) · 8 years ago

Yes
For a time
Not really
No

Any method of organizing tasks will probably be better than not organizing at all, but a simple to do list will do. If you do the tasks. If not, no method will help anyway. Other than that, all these GTD, ZTD and others seem just a way to sell books ;)

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

Thanks! I'm glad to get also some disconforming information! Without it you can't make balanced decisions.

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auxon (49) · 8 years ago

Yes. It was good, convincing.
I tried. I made up a file system as the book suggested, and started using it after organizing my office at the time.
I found that a lack of software to help me manage the actions was a problem. It was still the early days and they didn't have an app for my phone at the time. I tried to get my GF to go along with it, but she wasn't into it. Because of these reasons, it just died off. So, it didn't work for long.
I think it is worth reading anyways. Maybe you'll have better luck implementing the ideas in your life.

Good luck!

pompe72 (63) · 8 years ago (edited)

The way you wrote this seems like your giving instructions to a computer.
Are you also trying to give birth to AI?

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

If you ask clear questions you get clear answers :-)

3 votes

pompe72 (63) · 8 years ago

You are right. Also my question wasn't very clear. I should refrase like this.
Are you helping AI become self-aware?
The infrastructure is in place, the algo's are running and connections are being made. We are just waiting for singularity.

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markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

At least not consciously!

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pompe72 (63) · 8 years ago

That's the whole point. You and I are just sub routines of AI, a neuron in human terms.
This dialog between you and me is a connection between the neurons, a sharing of information, in other words "a thought".
Individually neurons are not conscience of what they are doing, but together they are. And just like them, we are not aware of what we are actually doing, that's, creating a "thought" for AI. When these "thoughts" reach critical mass, AI will have a conscience.

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inkha (55) · 8 years ago

We are goal oriented creatures I think, Writing anything down like this gives it more power. It's there, it's real. It's not just in the fleeting thoughts of your mind. This almost certainly has a positive impact on the likelihood of you completing the task at hand.

fishborne (57) · 8 years ago

No
No
Possibly
Possibly

I use pomodoro technique and eisenhower_box for productivity.
Pomodoro is easy to use and highly effective.
You'll work mostly half of the time because it focuses your attention pretty well.

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

Eisenhower box? Never heard of it. I will have a look.

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belkins (54) · 8 years ago

Yes, but i'm recommend classic Stephen R. Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
How i'm think its better :)

2 votes

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

Thank you very much! I will certainly read it.

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belkins (54) · 8 years ago

your welcome :)

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cliro (47) · 8 years ago

In my experience the "moving planned tasks and projects out" of your mind works very well and is easy to learn. But breaking everything into actionable pieces is time consuming and at least for me it always ended in spending to much time planning instead of just doing it, for god's sake!

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

That's exaxtly the aspect I'm afraid of. I will try it however 🙂. Thanks for the input!

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fevr (35) · 8 years ago

I don't use all of the methods, but one takeaway for me has been the Next Action principle. Sometimes you'll find yourself constantly thinking about one task you have to, but it seems too big/complicated to get started.

It really helps to make a (mental) note of the absolute first thing you could do to further the task, even if it's highly trivial. The Next Action for the task "Write thesis" could be as simple as "Google X to find a potentially interesting topic". Once you do that, you can mentally file it away and stop thinking about it (it really works), and when you want to get started on it the hurdle of actually starting is minimal.

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2 votes

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

Thanks! It sounds like it works for you. This is enough for me to buy the book and read it. I wish I had more voting power to up-vote your answer. Highly appreciated!

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acec (50) · 8 years ago

You don't have to read a book just to use some common sense practices organizing tasks. And yes, the method works.

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igorterleg (36) · 8 years ago (edited)

Or does it? I mean, is it really better compared to a simple to do list, not to doing nothing. I tried it but decided it wasn't worth it.

markopaasila (65) · 8 years ago

Thanks!
I know that's true, but I also have the experience of books making me think about the topic from all possible angles and many times, which makes the lessons and the philosophy stick very well. The same can't be said about typical life-hack articles. I just wish I could immediately implement all the life hacks I have read about in short articles. I would be hugely successful by now :-)

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dumpa (31) · 8 years ago

I have read the book (and many more). It is worth reading but I think the methods get over-complicated. If you want to get productive read How to be a productivity ninja by Graham Allcot. Also Rework is a very nice book . At the end you have to develop your own method. Don't follow methods follow principles.

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