Comments on: The Irony of Trying to Read Getting Things Done http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/ Personal Finance, Writing, and Blogging Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:05:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Russ http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1377 Russ Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:46:26 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1377 I just returned the book myself without finishing the whole thing but I did get further than you did. The beginning was very slow and difficult to understand how it works. However, once you get into the expanded chapters on each of the steps I think it becomes a much better book. I have started writing done everything and collecting in one place like he suggests and am thinking about how I can rearrange my den/office. However, I will have to wait to get the book again (I'm on the list again at the library) before I go all the way with it. I just returned the book myself without finishing the whole thing but I did get further than you did. The beginning was very slow and difficult to understand how it works. However, once you get into the expanded chapters on each of the steps I think it becomes a much better book. I have started writing done everything and collecting in one place like he suggests and am thinking about how I can rearrange my den/office. However, I will have to wait to get the book again (I’m on the list again at the library) before I go all the way with it.

]]> By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Getting Things Done — What I’ve Learned http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1317 The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Getting Things Done — What I’ve Learned Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:05:24 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1317 [...] mentioned last week that I tried reading Getting Things Done, the productivity book that is so popular, but [...] [...] mentioned last week that I tried reading Getting Things Done, the productivity book that is so popular, but [...]

]]> By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Carnival of Improving Life http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1279 The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Carnival of Improving Life Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:32:21 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1279 [...] the 13th (my favorite number!) edition of the Carnival of Improving Life over at Improved Life. My article about trying to read Getting Things Done is mentioned, so that’s always [...] [...] the 13th (my favorite number!) edition of the Carnival of Improving Life over at Improved Life. My article about trying to read Getting Things Done is mentioned, so that’s always [...]

]]> By: ImprovedLife http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1261 ImprovedLife Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:33:22 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1261 Like many other people, I went through the book and found that not all of the methods fit 'me', but what I could take from it (a list of next actions being one of them), has dramatically changed my organizational skills. I think with anything book like this, you have to read through and pick out the points that make sense for you life. Sometimes the whole system might fit perfectly, but other times you can only fit a bit. I would recommend reading both GTD and 7 Habits. I have based my personal 'system' off of these two books. What works for me may not work for you, but what it has done, is changed my life. Hope this helps! Like many other people, I went through the book and found that not all of the methods fit ‘me’, but what I could take from it (a list of next actions being one of them), has dramatically changed my organizational skills. I think with anything book like this, you have to read through and pick out the points that make sense for you life. Sometimes the whole system might fit perfectly, but other times you can only fit a bit. I would recommend reading both GTD and 7 Habits. I have based my personal ’system’ off of these two books. What works for me may not work for you, but what it has done, is changed my life.

Hope this helps!

]]> By: Bob http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1233 Bob Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:22:15 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1233 I suppose I am one of the cultish followers! The significant thing about next actions is that they should be actual things that need to be done. Imagine that you are giving instructions to a ten-year old. Your example was to “Schedule Physical with Dr.” So the next action is to "Telephone Dr X on 1234 5678 to schedule a physical” This means that whenever you have a couple of minutes you can do this step. However stressed you are you can do this step. However tired you are you can do this step. OK so I admit that I have exagerated a bit but the point is that there is no thinking involved in doing the next step, just do it. That is the difference between a "next action" and a "to do." Generally "next actions" do not need to go into diaries, so you are free to decide what to do next from your lists. I suppose I am one of the cultish followers! The significant thing about next actions is that they should be actual things that need to be done. Imagine that you are giving instructions to a ten-year old. Your example was to “Schedule Physical with Dr.” So the next action is to “Telephone Dr X on 1234 5678 to schedule a physical” This means that whenever you have a couple of minutes you can do this step. However stressed you are you can do this step. However tired you are you can do this step. OK so I admit that I have exagerated a bit but the point is that there is no thinking involved in doing the next step, just do it. That is the difference between a “next action” and a “to do.” Generally “next actions” do not need to go into diaries, so you are free to decide what to do next from your lists.

]]> By: Mick http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1231 Mick Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:59:55 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1231 I'm writing in support of the GTD system. I'm not one of the cultish follwers, for sure. I've found that this, like any other program (diet, financial management plan, etc.) can be taken out as far as your heart desires... There are computer programs, books about the book, audio support programs, blogs, message boards, you name it... I'm one of those people who needed organizational direction, and this concept of putting the concept to rest absolutely worked for me. I'm constantly juggling multiple projects and planning things for home, work, church, and extra-curricular activities... I'm also one who generally despises lists. Certainly, I did not take GTD and adopt it fully and literally...but the folder system and the concept of writing and prioritizing has been spot-on for me. I feel like there's another "me" helping me now... I’m writing in support of the GTD system. I’m not one of the cultish follwers, for sure. I’ve found that this, like any other program (diet, financial management plan, etc.) can be taken out as far as your heart desires… There are computer programs, books about the book, audio support programs, blogs, message boards, you name it… I’m one of those people who needed organizational direction, and this concept of putting the concept to rest absolutely worked for me. I’m constantly juggling multiple projects and planning things for home, work, church, and extra-curricular activities… I’m also one who generally despises lists. Certainly, I did not take GTD and adopt it fully and literally…but the folder system and the concept of writing and prioritizing has been spot-on for me. I feel like there’s another “me” helping me now…

]]> By: Walt http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1229 Walt Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:17:42 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1229 Good time management would be to listen to the audio version of the book, which you can do while doing other things. Good time management would be to listen to the audio version of the book, which you can do while doing other things.

]]> By: Carrie http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1217 Carrie Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:32:17 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1217 I've had the same problem with GTD. There seems to be an almost cult-like following to the GTD system, although it's principles are kind of, well... common sense? I'm struggling geting through it (second renewal, still sitting on my bedside table.) Good luck and thanks for the tips so far. I’ve had the same problem with GTD. There seems to be an almost cult-like following to the GTD system, although it’s principles are kind of, well… common sense?

I’m struggling geting through it (second renewal, still sitting on my bedside table.) Good luck and thanks for the tips so far.

]]> By: BCS http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1216 BCS Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:23:05 +0000 http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2008/06/05/the-irony-of-trying-to-read-getting-things-done/#comment-1216 I thought that I was the only person having this same problem. I picked up the book a little while back, and I've barely made any progress on the book. I do agree with you, though. There are quite a few good points in the first few pages. Some of them have even been integrated into my life already. I thought that I was the only person having this same problem. I picked up the book a little while back, and I’ve barely made any progress on the book. I do agree with you, though. There are quite a few good points in the first few pages. Some of them have even been integrated into my life already.

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