how to apply GTD if there are no projects??

[ezichko]

Hi:

I have used GTD in the past for myself and some other people with great results. Life changing experience.

The thing is that i now have a friend who is into deep lethargy and doesnt want to do anything or have projects etc.

What to do in this case?

Thanks

 

[kewms]

Suggest your friend seek treatment for clinical depression. If the person using the system has no interest in moving things forward, no system will work.

Given the DA definition of projects -- any goal requiring more than one NA -- it is difficult to see how they can be eliminated altogether, and why you would want to. Even doing the laundry (sort, wash, dry, fold) and cooking dinner (find recipe, acquire ingredients, cook) are projects in GTD terms, even if many GTD users don't treat them as such.

With that said, actions are the fundamental unit of GTD, and you could certainly apply the methodology to actions alone. The result would be something resembling a classic To Do list, and would have to be ruthlessly examined for projects in disguise (buy groceries = make list + go to store, for instance), but it could be done.

Katherine

 

[ezichko]

i found people that agreed that the system is nice but are too lethargic and depressed about life in general so they actually DONT want to follow any system or start it but in 2 days they get discouraged and go back to the old stress system.

 

[mackeff]

a friend who is into deep lethargy

While I'm not a doctor or psychologist, and having only your description to go on, as a layperson I'd agree with Katherine that perhaps your friend needs something more/other than the GTD system: Google for info on clinical depression symptoms and see if that might fit your friend.

If it's depression, s/he hasn't the internal resources to take on anything else.

Even if clinical depression isn't the problem [and there may be any number of other situational or personality variables in action], the person in question has to WANT to embark on GTD or any other new behaviour. You can be a positive role model and encourage, or [negatively, and not recommended] bribe, nag or pressure someone to do something . . . but if s/he doesn't WANT & CHOOSE that something, there won't be the good results you're hoping for.

Frustrating? Yes.

 

[mcogilvie]

Hi:
The thing is that i now have a friend who is into deep lethargy and doesnt want to do anything or have projects etc.

What to do in this case?
Thanks

I agree that evaluation for depression is obviously necessary. However, there is good evidence that simply taking sequences of small actions can help overcome depression. You may be able to help your friend by encouraging/demanding that small steps be taken, w/o going into the whole GTD thing.

 

[Brent]

GTD starts at a low level, then works up to a higher-level clarification of goals/ideals/etc. You may want to try the opposite approach, by asking your friend what s/he would love to do one day, then helping him or her to break that down into smaller steps. Once you've both identified some low-level steps, you can start encouraging your friend to organize those steps using GTD.