How To Implement GTD
Congrats on starting your GTD setup. Everyone's evolution of their GTD system problem comes along a bit differently. Here was my experience and how I suggest to my friends to roll it out.
1. Get all the setup pieces in place. Inboxes, calendar, reference filing, etc because if all of your components are not in place, things will get stuck in your system.
2. Get everything collected as best you can. While you won't collect it all by any means, get all the physical and digital stuff collected in one place. Digital stuff is easier to collect.
3. Get all the urgent stuff in a pile for immediate atttention and create a place for backlogged material and start with clean inboxes. Work on your backlog a bit at a time, slowly putting it in your system.
4. Focus on the front end of your system first. Make sure you are capturing stuff in your capture tool. Make sure your inboxes are in position to collect everything. Make sure you run everything through them.
5. My email account was the first thing I mastered, then my calendar and tickler, then my paper.
6. Once your runway actions are clear, then focus on your projects lists. In the meantime, set up a "projects inbox" for later review. You'll find your projects list will be clearer and clearer once your runway actions start clearing up. Then you can sort through your projects inbox and decide if it is a current project or should go on your someday maybe list.
The book is fantastic, keep reading it. I read it over and over. Master one area at time, work at your own pace, keep it get getting better. It took me a couple of years to master my system. When you find the "holy grail" of empty inboxes, it's a super great feeling.
Good luck!
