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Getting Things Done

The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

By David Allen

(214)

| Paperback | 9780142000281

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Book Description

Amazon.com
With first-chapter allusions to martial arts, "flow," "mind like water," and other concepts borrowed from the East (and usually mangled), you'd almost think this self-helper from David Allen should have been called Zen and the Art of Schedule Maintenance.
Not quite. Yes, Getting Things Done offers a complete system for downloading all those free-floating gotta-do's clogging your brain into a sophisticated framework of files and action lists--all purportedly to free your mind to focus on whatever you're working on. However, it still operates from the decidedly Western notion that if we could just get really, really organized, we could turn ourselves into 24/7 productivity machines. (To wit, Allen, whom the New Economy bible Fast Company has dubbed "the personal productivity guru," suggests that instead of meditating on crouching tigers and hidden dragons while you wait for a plane, you should unsheathe that high-tech saber known as the cell phone and attack that list of calls you need to return.)

As whole-life-organizing systems go, Allen's is pretty good, even fun and therapeutic. It starts with the exhortation to take every unaccounted-for scrap of paper in your workstation that you can't junk, The next step is to write down every unaccounted-for gotta-do cramming your head onto its own scrap of paper. Finally, throw the whole stew into a giant "in-basket"

That's where the processing and prioritizing begin; in Allen's system, it get a little convoluted at times, rife as it is with fancy terms, subterms, and sub-subterms for even the simplest concepts. Thank goodness the spine of his system is captured on a straightforward, one-page flowchart that you can pin over your desk and repeatedly consult without having to refer back to the book. That alone is worth the purchase price. Also of value is Allen's ingenious Two-Minute Rule: if there's anything you absolutely must do that you can do right now in two minutes or less, then do it now, thus freeing up your time and mind tenfold over the long term. It's commonsense advice so obvious that most of us completely overlook it, much to our detriment; Allen excels at dispensing such wisdom in this useful, if somewhat belabored, self-improver aimed at everyone from CEOs to soccer moms (who we all know are more organized than most CEOs to start with). --Timothy Murphy --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
Productivity trainer and consultant David Allen offers a crash course in basic time management and personal organization. While Allen's reading is a little stiff, his enthusiasm for the topic and his passion for systems comes across loud and clear. Allen's message is concise: Organize yourself to free your mind for greater pursuits. And this simple production makes that daunting task seem possible. It's a quick glimpse at setting goals, clearing clutter, and staying focused. Allen's reading, although one dimensional, suits the nature of the topic, making this worth the time for the effort it will save down the road. H.L.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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14 Reviews

5 people find this helpful

I read many books on effectiveness and efficiency, but most of them talk about theory with little practical method. When I read this book. Alas! Here it is, a book teaching how to organize your stuff so you won't feel a mess again.
"Getting Things Done" is a system that requires you to keep tr ... (continue)

I read many books on effectiveness and efficiency, but most of them talk about theory with little practical method. When I read this book. Alas! Here it is, a book teaching how to organize your stuff so you won't feel a mess again.
"Getting Things Done" is a system that requires you to keep track of all your works, things and promise to others. So that you won't have to deal with things that "blow up". This book also provide good planning and review method.
This is a book everyone should read in order to be more productive.

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Chit said on Jul 7, 2007 | Add your feedback

2 people find this helpful

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This book worked for me. That's all I can say. A self-help book that actually worked.

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jclarey said on Mar 28, 2007 | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

The most practical one so far

I'm not a big fans of the "Prioritization" theory... Mood DOES affect my concentration and efficiency. It's difficult to judge which measure is better and my belief is to pick the one which is most suitable to ourselves. That's why I found this book was a bit outstanding from other time management b ... (continue)

I'm not a big fans of the "Prioritization" theory... Mood DOES affect my concentration and efficiency. It's difficult to judge which measure is better and my belief is to pick the one which is most suitable to ourselves. That's why I found this book was a bit outstanding from other time management books.

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Richard Yeung said on Jul 31, 2007 | Add your feedback

Read and keep as resource

Many great principles of task management. Practical and easy to apply. Biggest contribution is in the concept that anything that is stored only in our head is taking up "RAM" and stressing us out. Even wishful "someday" projects should be tracked outside of our head in a place that our subconscious ... (continue)

Many great principles of task management. Practical and easy to apply. Biggest contribution is in the concept that anything that is stored only in our head is taking up "RAM" and stressing us out. Even wishful "someday" projects should be tracked outside of our head in a place that our subconscious knows we will see and get back to. When we know we have everything captured in one system that is reliable, our mind relaxes and we have more energy and creativity. The "next action" concept verses a traditional task list is also helpful in boosting productivity. "Jason's Birthday" is never going to get done, but "decide on gift for Jason", or "brainstorm part ideas" will. The book is longer than it needs to be, particularly towards the end. Still a must read for anyone struggling with productivity

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Brandon Current said on Aug 19, 2011 | Add your feedback

Some good tips: the difference between things to do and actions to take is essential in this method. I am not sure about the paper file system, but I loved the comparison of the mind and the RAM, i.e. you need to keep in mind only things you can work out immediately otherwise you will be overloaded ... (continue)

Some good tips: the difference between things to do and actions to take is essential in this method. I am not sure about the paper file system, but I loved the comparison of the mind and the RAM, i.e. you need to keep in mind only things you can work out immediately otherwise you will be overloaded and stuck.

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Barbara ABP said on Sep 23, 2010 | 1 feedback

Great book. Finally got around to finishing it up last night and will now continue down the path to GTD freedom.

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John Bowersox said on Jul 7, 2010 | Add your feedback