Hi everyone,
I'm seeking advice from more experienced GTD practitioners out there. As a knowledge worker, I often struggle with the traditional paradigm of simply "cranking widgets." Let's say I have a big, scary project project like "Write the Constanza report." Breaking it down into manageable next actions is essential, so after some natural project planning I determine that my immediate next action is "Read the summary of the Pensky report".
However, this is where I encounter difficulties. I simply can't mindlessly do next actions. My brain needs a clear purpose for each action, and the widget-cranking mindset doesn't work for me. I want to understand why I'm reading the Pensky report summary. I've attempted to provide context or connect it to the larger project, but unfortunately, this often backfires. It immediately reminds me of the overwhelming nature of the project, leading to demotivation and procrastination.
So my question is: How can I strike a balance between giving my next actions enough context and purpose without overwhelming myself with the magnitude of the entire project? Is this even a GTD-specific challenge, or should I focus on improving my attitude and mindset?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate any advice you can offer!
Best regards,
I'm seeking advice from more experienced GTD practitioners out there. As a knowledge worker, I often struggle with the traditional paradigm of simply "cranking widgets." Let's say I have a big, scary project project like "Write the Constanza report." Breaking it down into manageable next actions is essential, so after some natural project planning I determine that my immediate next action is "Read the summary of the Pensky report".
However, this is where I encounter difficulties. I simply can't mindlessly do next actions. My brain needs a clear purpose for each action, and the widget-cranking mindset doesn't work for me. I want to understand why I'm reading the Pensky report summary. I've attempted to provide context or connect it to the larger project, but unfortunately, this often backfires. It immediately reminds me of the overwhelming nature of the project, leading to demotivation and procrastination.
So my question is: How can I strike a balance between giving my next actions enough context and purpose without overwhelming myself with the magnitude of the entire project? Is this even a GTD-specific challenge, or should I focus on improving my attitude and mindset?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate any advice you can offer!
Best regards,