Don't have the same thought twice

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Ashok Atluri

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DA says you should not have the same thought twice unless you want to have it and it makes you feel happy. I have found this rule very helpful in my capture phase. Esp. after I became keenly aware (like I had sent my clock for repair and the second time I saw the blank space on the wall I noted it down [first time it slipped, obviously, showing how far I am from black belt] and got it done the next day.

Just sharing this as a helpful suggestion for anyone who is not yet perfect in the capture phase.

Ashok
 
If the same thought returns to you from time to time unexpectedly it is a clear indication of the open loop in your mind. Write it down as soon as possible and put it in the inbox of your trusted system. Then when the thought will return next time you will not feel the stress because you will know it is safe in your GTD system.
TesTeq
 
Returning thought == open loop.

If the same thought returns to you from time to time unexpectedly it is a clear indication of the open loop in your mind. Write it down as soon as possible and put it in the inbox of your trusted system. Then when the thought will return next time you will not feel the stress because you will know it is safe in your GTD system.
TesTeq
 
Re: Don't have the same thought twice

Ashok Atluri said:
DA says you should not have the same thought twice unless you want to have it and it makes you feel happy. I have found this rule very helpful in my capture phase. Esp. after I became keenly aware (like I had sent my clock for repair and the second time I saw the blank space on the wall I noted it down [first time it slipped, obviously, showing how far I am from black belt] and got it done the next day.
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Hi Ashok,
what did you note down?
Did you note something like "getting clock back" in "waiting for"?

BTW i think its quite normal to have the same thought everytime you are reminded by the same external attraction.

Yours
Alexander
 
Alex,

Actually, I had it entered in @Agendas. I had given the task to someone in my office. Could bring it up the next time I saw him.

Ashok
 
If I remember correctly, David said that there should be no "need" to ever have the same thought twice unless you want to. I might have a thought after I have already captured it, but I quickly realize that I don't "need" to have that particular thought again, so I can put it out of my mind and focus on something that I enjoy.
 
The exact quote

Rick,

The exact quote is "There is no reason ever to have the same thought twice, unless you like having that thought." Page 22-GTD

Ashok
 
OK, we're probably just splitting hairs over semantics here, but I think that "no reason" and "no need" are essentially the samy concept. We can't always help what knocks on the door of our minds, but we can help what we invite in for tea and crumpets. If I already captured an item and it knocks on the door again, I just tell it to go away. :o) I make the decision no to dwell on it.
 
I agree that "should not have the same thought twice" implies that we can have control on the source of our thoughts which is very difficult. What is important is if the same thought occurs again are we bothered by it. I get your point and agree with you.

Ashok[/quote]
 
To me, "not having the same thought twice unless you want to have it" is almost the essense of GTD. In fact, when I went to the seminar, it was almost the first thing DA said in his intro...he called it one his main goals.

One of the best benefits of GTD is quieting that internal chatter (a friend of mine calls it "movie credits that keep repeating"...a list that shows up in your mind and keeps rolling though over and over - especially annoying when it happens at 2:00 a.m.), and using your mind in more productive. value added ways...."thinking about your work rather than of your work" to quote the book. I think it all comes down to using your mind as a tool more effectively.

Over time, I've developed a real discomfort when I notice a thought that is repeating. I find it distracting and annoying. I want to get it caputred as soon as I can so I can move on mentally. This is where having the capture tools you need becomes important.
 
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