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Getting Things Done (Part 3 of 3): The Endgame

Remember to remember

By Kimberly H. SmithPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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This is part 3 of a series based on productivity processes in David Allen’s book "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity." The previous 2 parts of this series, Mastering Workflow and Next Actions and Reviewing Your Process give you many tools for creating a successful, clutter-free work environment. This article will explore the outcome that you are seeking, The Endgame.

“There is an inverse relationship between things on your mind and those things getting done.” - David Allen

To recap...

"We COLLECT things that command our attention; PROCESS what they mean and what to do about them; and ORGANIZE the results, which we REVIEW as options for what we choose to DO," writes Allen. Those are the five stages of mastering workflow.

The workflow diagram above shows how we should process all items that we collect. A piece of paper, an e-mail, a voice mail, a package, etc. Everything that we receive.

Collect, process, and organize all of your inbox items. Afterward, they should all be placed in one of the seven main groupings represented on the outer ring of the diagram above as described in Mastering Workflow and Next Actions.

  1. Trash
  2. Someday/Maybe
  3. Projects & Project Plans
  4. Reference
  5. Waiting For
  6. Calendar
  7. Next Actions

Then, be sure to do a daily and/or weekly review as described in Reviewing Your Process for your main groupings and new inbox items.

What's Next?

All of the tools that we need to get things done have been laid out in this series. But what happens when you get in a rut, get behind, feel overwhelmed? We've all been there.

Making the Best Action Choices

According to Allen, people make their action choices based on the following criteria, in order:

  1. Context
  2. Time available
  3. Energy available
  4. Priority

Context: What can you possibly do where you are right now with the tools that you have?

Time available: If you have an appointment in ten minutes, you will more than likely choose an action that is different from one if you had a couple of hours to spare. If that is the case, choose short action items that can be crossed off your list during this small window of time. Use your time wisely even if it's short. You will be amazed at how many things you can accomplish in just a few minutes.

Energy available: When I'm in a low energy state, I pull paper and articles from my Read & Review pile which is in my Waiting For bin. Or I do next action steps that I know don't require a lot of effort. My high energy state is shortly after I wake up in the morning or right after a power nap. That's when I go for the things that I have put off constantly, items that are my least favorite, or items that require a lot of thinking. When is your low energy state? High energy state?

Priority: "It is impossible to feel good about your choices unless you are clear about what your work really is," writes Allen. When you feel like everything is a priority, review your calendar. Ask yourself what has to be done today and what are the consequences of not doing your next action items. Which items deserve low, medium, and high priority?

"Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them." - David Allen

Over 2 million people have been introduced to the Getting Things Done concept also known as GTD® created by David Allen. With his help, they have discovered the power of clearing their mind, sharpening their focus, and accomplishing more with ease and elegance.

You can learn more about the GTD® concept and continuous learning tools from Allen at gettingthingsdone.com.

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About the Creator

Kimberly H. Smith

Published author, copywriter, and transcription editor. Louisiana native with B.A. in Theatre from LSU. Wife and mother currently in the KC area writing a wide range of articles for freelance networks.

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