Getting Things Done

"The reason most organizing systems haven't work for most people is that they haven't yet transformed all the stuff they're trying to organize. As long as it's stuff it's not controllable"

... everything that has your attention.

For this, you can use

1. Paper-tray: Where you will keep all the new information documents (hard copy).
2. Personal NoteBook: This is for your own personal ideas which you can write it down.
3. Note-taking app: You also can use any note-taking app like - google keep, EverNote, notion, OneNote, etc.

Just keep a note of everything that may be important for you later on. Don't just keep it in your mind.

"Your mind is for having Ideas not (for) holding them."

... what needs to be done.

Now question the ideas/ Information -- Is it actionable?

If Yes -

Can it be done in 2 minutes or less? - yes - just do it now! If No - Put it in Next Action List.

If No -

• Discard it.
• Keep it as a reference.

"It does not take much strength to do things but it requires a great of strength to decide what to do."

... information so that you can find it later.

1. Next Action List: Two ways - Delegate it (someone may be better for this task) or Defer it (Do it later).
2. Project List: For all similar types of tasks create a project list.
3. Calendar: Put the time-specific urgent tasks.
4. Waiting For list: Like something you are waiting for (like - for a medical report or someone's reply)
5. Someday Maybe List: These things you want to do if you have some time (like - reading books etc.)
6. Reference material & Project Support material: keep it organized.

"Capability and willingness to instantly make a checklist, accessible and used when needed, is a core component of high-performance self-management."

... and prioritize your work.

• Daily Review: Prioritise your tasks from the next action list and put it in your calendar. Use reference and other lists as needed.
• Weekly Review: First empty your inbox. Then review your calendar and update your next action list, calendar, and possibly someday maybe list.

Try to stick with the weekly review routine for this you can give yourself some rewards for that.

... in the right activity.

Engage in the work keeping the following things in mind -

1. Context: Is that task is capable of doing in this environment?
2. Time availability: Is there enough time to do this task?
3. Energy availability: As the day progresses your energy and focus diminises. So is there enough energy left to do that task?
4. Priority: Which task needs to be done now?

The threefold model for evaluating daily work -

1. Defining Your work
2. Doing predefined work
3. Doing work as it showing up

The first two are the basics of GTD but "sometimes things come up that just can't wait" for those we just need to use our experience to take that.

From '7 habits of Highly effective people' -

1. Important & Urgent- Crisis Management
2. Important & Non-urgent - High leverage activities.
3. Not-Important & Urgent: Interuptions
4. Not-Important & Not-Urgent: Time wasters.

We should always try to shorten the time of the 1st quadrant and use more time in the 2nd quadrant activities.

"Ultimately and always you must trust your intuition. There are many things you can do, however, that can enhance that trust."