Hello, Everyone!
I love your question/concern,
@OCDMike82, because the implementation of GTD has been really challenging for me. I would really love to see examples that walk through how people do this step by step.
Of course, it would probably be very different for each person. I think that is a main GTD learning: that there is no "right" way to do GTD. Even so, I appreciate clear examples from experienced GTD people about whatever works for them, step by step.
A few minutes ago, I noticed that it had snuck into my awareness that I am feeling uncomfortable. Oh, now that I think about it, I notice that it is about my desk. I do not have enough space with this small desk. I have nowhere to put all the things I need to have on my desk, or nearby, and my desk is small. It is like a balancing act to get things I need in front of me and get other things out of the way.
I was suddenly without a desk when a family member retrieved their table, which I had been using while injured. Since having a surface to work on is essential, I then bought a small folding table/desk It is a nice small folding table, but I realize now that it is too small for me (43" x 19.7"), although it does provide the solid surface I needed. Here's a link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWN7H7TS?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
It has now come to my attention that I am feeling uncomfortable, so from what I have learned in GTD, I need to take that seriously and work out how I can be more comfortable, since that is an open loop and is bothering me. Although in a way it seems trivial, since there are so many other huge things to attend to, it interferes with quite a lot of what I need to get done on a daily basis, and that affects the quality of my life, so I think it matters.
That is as far as I have gone yet, having only just now realized this, and I really don't know what to do about it for good reasons related to my situation due to my injuries. Here is what I have worked out as an example of what I think needs to be done to get this new thing that has my attention into my GTD system (which in full disclosure, I do not yet have operational).
PROCESSING - CAPTURE
1. I notice something that is not the way I want it to be
I feel uncomfortable because of my small desk size and inefficient office setup
2. I capture this into one of my capture tools (I put a post-it note on my desk)
3. I process this into my GTD system.
When would I do that? Probably at my next Weekly (or other interval) Review
PROCESSING - CLARIFY
1. What is it?
I feel uncomfortable about my lack of desk space and difficult accessing supplies and tools.
2. Is this actionable?
Yes. Something needs to be done about it
3. Will take less than two minutes?
No. It will take more time. This means it needs to be deferred to later.
4. Will this be delegated to someone else, or is it mine to do?
This is mine to do, since I have no one to delegate it to.
5. What is the Next Action? This is the very next small, observable, physical
action that needs to be done: Using a blank sheet of copy paper and a
pencil, draw a mind map to clarify the problem. Use colors for emphasis.
6. Is only one single action involved, or is more than one single action involved?
More than one single action will be needed. This action is part of a Project
7. What is my (wildly successful) desired outcome for this Project?
I am delighted to feel so relaxed in my office now that my desk is spacious,
my desk chair is very comfortable, and I can easily access whatever I need.
PROCESSING -ORGANIZE
A. The Next Action
1. This action item is not a date- or time-sensitive event or reminder/tickler, so it does
not go on the Calendar (unless it involves time-blocking, to be determined later).
2. This action item is not waiting for anything, so it does not go on the Waiting For list.
3. This action item does not involve any other people, so it does not go on an Agenda.
4. This action item is therefore being deferred to Next Actions list. I have no Contexts yet,
but for those who do, the Context in which to place the item needs to be determined.
B. The Project
1. Add the Project to the Projects list. Include the Project Number (if any), the Project Name
(if any), and the Desired Outcome. (Envisioning a wildly successful outcome is believed to
be an important means of achieving that desired outcome).
2. Make a Project folder for the Project, and label the folder with the Project number (if any)
and the Project name (if any). This is where anything related to the Project will be located.
(This might also be called a Project Support folder.)
3. Make a Project page for the Project folder. Include the Project Number, Project Name,
and Desired Outcome of the Project. Add the Next Action to the Project's Action Steps.
4. File the Project page in the Project folder. File the Project folder under Active Projects.
ENGAGE
1. Consult the Next Actions List and choose intuitively (this comes with practice) which action
to engage with in view of the context available, the time available, one's current energy level,
and the priority of the item, relative to all commitments available to choose from right now.
OR
2. Block out the desired/available amount of time on the calendar to work on this Next Action,
either once or more, and perhaps regularly.
REVIEW/REFLECT
1. At the Weekly Review (or perhaps even more frequently) review and reflect on this Project.
Determine its status, check off any Next Actions completed, and if all Next Actions for this
Project have been completed, add another new Next Action to move the Project forward.
I wrote this to practice applying what I've been learning about GTD. I think it is a good idea (at least until it becomes second nature) to have a Standard Operating Procedure for GTD, which could be one of those checklists we hear about so much. I think it probably takes a lot of daily practice to really integrate the knowledge of GTD into the trusted GTD system we want.
Warmly,
Emily
