Getting Things Done - GTD, David Allen

Contributor: Kyle Smeby

While I respect the meat-and-potatoes simplicity of the title of this book, if I were asked to come up with a catchier title, I would call it, "Zen and the Art of Productivity." Because while it provides an amazing arsenal of tips and techniques to maximize your time and effectiveness (that lives up to all the hype surrounding this book) it also manages to do so in a spiritually enlightened way.

Here are some excerpts you might enjoy:

Page 168.

"If you haven't already done it, I recommend that you create a "Someday/Maybe" list in whatever organizing system you've chosen… You'll probably discover that simply having the list and starting to fill it out will cause you to come up with all kinds of creative ideas… You may also be surprised to find that some of the things you write on the list will actually come to pass, almost without your making any conscious effort to make them happen. If you acknowledge the power of the imagination to foster changes in perception and performance, it's easy to see how having a "Someday/Maybe" list out in front of your conscious mind could potentially add many wonderful adventures to your life and work."

Accompanying Quotes:

"Someday/Maybe's are not throwaway items. They may be some of the most interesting and creative things you'll ever get involved with." --David Allen

Footnote on Page 191.

Surrendering to your inner awareness, ... and its intelligence and practicality in the worlds you live in, is the higher ground. Trusting yourself and the source of your intelligence is a more elegant version of freedom and personal productivity.

Page 201-202.

"There is magic in being in the present in your life. I'm always amazed at the power of clear observation simply about what's going on, what's true… Getting things done, and feeling good about it, means being willing to recognize, acknowledge, and appropriately manage all the things that have your consciousness engaged. Mastering the art of stress-free productivity requires it."

Accompanying Quotes:

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it." --Buddha

"The best place to succeed is where you are with what you have." --Charles Schwab

David Allen has taken a holistic approach to productivity. Not just focused on business, or your current frustrations, he challenges you to look at your entire life and consider where you want it to go. Then he gives you the tools to break those goals down into manageable actions that will help make the journey to get there a lot more pleasant.

If you've ever felt like you could be doing more with your time, if you spend more time deciding what to do next than the time it takes to do it, if certain projects just never seem to get done and you are finally ready to do what it takes to change that; this book may be able to show you the way out. The author admits you will always have a some stressful days and your schedule will always fill beyond your capacity to complete it, but if you are willing to put some effort into maintaining a system to organize your life, you will see that capacity expand by an order of magnitude and you can leave behind the guilt and frustration caused by the ineffective use of your precious time.