GTD and impact on mental health... negative?

[christophe.portier]

I've been practicing the GTD method for several years now, and my professional life greatly benefits from it: efficient, reliable for my colleagues, able to prioritize in often chaotic contexts, I now only function through this wonderful methodology.

On the other hand, I've been sleeping poorly for several months.
And I'm starting to wonder about this angle of the GTD method that might be causing these insomnias: all day long, my brain is on the lookout for any thought to capture and record, as soon as I have a free moment my inbox to (perpetually) process or my well-organized lists make me want to do everything except take a break because I know I'll be efficient.
In short my days run at 100 km/h, too fast to sleep well the following night, largely thanks to the GTD method, and I wonder to what extent my nature is the cause of this... or the method.

Have you experienced such a phase as well?

Thanks for your feedbacks & help!

 

[mcogilvie]

This is only an opinion, but I believe neither your nature nor GTD is likely the cause of your issue. It sounds like you are managing a very busy work life, which of course GtTD can help with. However, the purpose of GTD is not to make you more efficient; it is to help you be more effective in living the life you want across all the different horizons of your life. GTD helps with both control and perspective, but control without perspective leads to micromanaging your life and can lead to burnout. Reading David Allen’s book Making It All Work would probably be helpful to you. Since the 1960’s businesses have tended to idolize efficiency, and it’s easy to get swept up in the idea that efficiency is the supreme goal. Once you know that isn’t true, your life will be better.