Planning projects with GTD
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 9:28 am
When I first started GTD, I had my to-do list open on my second monitor in the office and that was it. The app I used for it (and eventually uninstalled, but more on that later) didn't even work on my smartphone. When I left the office in the afternoon, I left my to-do list too.
And then?
Even though I tried to think as little about work as possible at home, I occasionally had creative ideas. I told myself I would remember them by the time I got back to the office, but inevitably I forgot most of them over the next 16 hours. Or I was so focused on remembering the idea that I barely enjoyed the evening.
This example clearly shows why Allen places such a high value on writing down all ideas. But for me, there's more to it than that: You can't control when an idea will come to you. The perfect holiday gift for my boyfriend came new zealand telegram data to mind during a staff meeting, and at 2 a.m. before a holiday, I spontaneously came up with a project that would bring Capterra $13 million.
Trying to apply Getting Things Done to my work life alone was a mistake. Now it's a part of my whole life, and I'm both happier and more productive than I used to be.
2. Plan your plans.
One of the biggest mistakes many people make when first starting out with GTD is not breaking their tasks down into small enough “next steps.” I did exactly that wrong in the beginning.
And then?
Even though I tried to think as little about work as possible at home, I occasionally had creative ideas. I told myself I would remember them by the time I got back to the office, but inevitably I forgot most of them over the next 16 hours. Or I was so focused on remembering the idea that I barely enjoyed the evening.
This example clearly shows why Allen places such a high value on writing down all ideas. But for me, there's more to it than that: You can't control when an idea will come to you. The perfect holiday gift for my boyfriend came new zealand telegram data to mind during a staff meeting, and at 2 a.m. before a holiday, I spontaneously came up with a project that would bring Capterra $13 million.
Trying to apply Getting Things Done to my work life alone was a mistake. Now it's a part of my whole life, and I'm both happier and more productive than I used to be.
2. Plan your plans.
One of the biggest mistakes many people make when first starting out with GTD is not breaking their tasks down into small enough “next steps.” I did exactly that wrong in the beginning.