Learning GTD

I recently watched this video about 'Getting Things Done' by David Allen, I found it really inspiring and though I should share my note with the world.

These are my notes:

 It's very easy to get off the GTD wagon, it's just as simple to get back on that again.

The much smarter way would be to think about each time you again start doing would certainly be a duplicate event.

Most of the time, when we are stressed out and we decide to take some time out and write things down we start to feel more in-control of the situation. This is the result of what is called as "distributive cognizance".  

Why does GTD work ?

• Potential Meaning overload
• Alot of your competitive edge is how you deal with surprises, personal or professionally.
• Mind like water-Perfectly appropriate response to and engagement with, whatever is present.
• Your ability to perform any work efficiently and effectively is directly connected to you ability to concentrate. Your ability to concentrate is directly related to your ability to eliminate distractions.
• Most of the distractions comes from 'mismanaged commitments'.
• The mind is limited in it's ability to manage commitments, because it is handicapped in it's ability to remember and remind.
• Until your brain trusts that their is a better system, it won't let go of that job and won't stop worrying.
• There is an inverse proportion between the amount of something that is on your mind and the amount it is getting things done.
• The reason why the brain is contently getting distracted by different things that has to be done is that the brain is trying to be the reminder system, at which it is not very good at.
• If you don't give your attention to what has your attention and it will take more attention from you than it deserves.

How Does GTD help in Self-management ?

• In order to get things of your mind, you must know that:

1. You have captured, clarified and organized all your commitments at all horizons.
2. You will engage with as often as you need to.

• Your ability to refocus on the right things at the right time in the right horizon is the master key of knowledge work athletics.

• The two aspects of self-management:

1. Control: Conscious focused engagement, aware of all options at any one time and place.
2. Perspective: aligned and clear about decisions, direction and priorities.

• The Matrix of Self-management:     

GTD Models

• Mastering Workflow:  The five keys to gaining control.

1. Collect - Anything task that have life longer than the thought. The stuff that you need to collect meaning about.
2. Process- Clarify the task, what kinds of action has to be done for the task.
3. Organize-   Task should be organized to right time.
4. Review- Keep coming back to the system to make sure that you are doing the right task at the right time.
5. Do

• Horizon of focus (Perspective)

50,000 ft - Purpose, Principles

40,000 ft - Vision

30,000 ft - Goals

20,000 ft - Areas of interest/ responsibility

10,000 ft - Projects

Runway - Next actions

Bottom up approach in finding the different perspectives.