Newby questions

[Solyanov2011]

1. My schedule is quite packed with meetings because I'm in sales. I used to block time daily for doing. I thought that I would like to try and use free time slots for doing next actions from my lists. I mainly have calls so it's quite easy to make them while going from meeting to meeting. The only problem would be with @Computer actions that require some quite space like an office or something. Any ideas?

2. I can do all day long: calls, computer, meetings. Finish one action, start the next. And so on till the day ends. Without any rest. The only problem here is I feel tired and have headaches by the end of the day. I don't feel when I need to have rest. I used to smoke and used that as a rest period. Quit a few years ago so have no 'natural' rest periods now. Any recommendation on how to setup a rest period and should I have rest during work hours?

3. My actions mostly fall under @Calls and @Computer. I also have a lot of "think about" next actions. Think about St Valentine's day present for my wife, think about birthday present for my wife, think about what to do next for project ABC etc. Which context should it fall under?

 

[Oogiem]

Quit a few years ago so have no 'natural' rest periods now. Any recommendation on how to setup a rest period and should I have rest during work hours?

First off congratulations! As to how why not get a large water bottle and fill it with plain water? Try to drink 8 ounces an hour and you'll be forced to the bathroom for some natural breaks.

 

[Solyanov2011]

Nice suggestion to use mother nature to remind of rest periods!

Any other brave ideas?

 

[mcogilvie]

3. My actions mostly fall under @Calls and @Computer. I also have a lot of "think about" next actions. Think about St Valentine's day present for my wife, think about birthday present for my wife, think about what to do next for project ABC etc. Which context should it fall under?

I find "think about" and "decide" to be two very bad verbs for starting next actions because they're so internal, with no visible next action. Try things like "list ideas for birthday present" and "review ABC project materials for next action" and find what works for you. The particular examples could be @anywhere or @computer.

 

[Myriam]

@brainstorm

I have a @brainstorm context, meaning I can do it anywhere, as long as I have pen & paper with me to capture the results... I like to work from the @brainstorm-list when I'm on the train

I also have @development. Same kind of thing, but I use it when I want to make a first draft of something (for example a new training I'm setting up).

Myriam

 

[mthar1]

Just a few quick thoughts...

1. My schedule is quite packed with meetings because I'm in sales. I used to block time daily for doing. I thought that I would like to try and use free time slots for doing next actions from my lists. I mainly have calls so it's quite easy to make them while going from meeting to meeting. The only problem would be with @Computer actions that require some quite space like an office or something. Any ideas?

If you already have a habit of blocking out time for doing work, then keep doing that. It's a good habit to make sure you have time for work in between meetings. The difference you will notice with GTD is that you can block time for doing without the need to decide beforehand what work you want to do.

2. I can do all day long: calls, computer, meetings. Finish one action, start the next. And so on till the day ends. Without any rest. The only problem here is I feel tired and have headaches by the end of the day. I don't feel when I need to have rest. I used to smoke and used that as a rest period. Quit a few years ago so have no 'natural' rest periods now. Any recommendation on how to setup a rest period and should I have rest during work hours?

A cheap kitchen timer or anything that can remind you to take a short break should work. If you can set an alarm for every hour that will remind you that you have the option of taking a break. Also, making an effort to take a proper lunch break every day when possible is something that has helped me.

3. My actions mostly fall under @Calls and @Computer. I also have a lot of "think about" next actions. Think about St Valentine's day present for my wife, think about birthday present for my wife, think about what to do next for project ABC etc. Which context should it fall under?

I think that thinking about the Next Action as the very next, visible physical action, is helpful. In that perspective, "think about" is not a suggested phrasing as it is not something visible. Can you visualize yourself doing the "thinking"? If so, what will you see yourself doing? And: What is the intended result of your "thinking about X". I find that, for me, in many cases, "think about" really means "talk to Y about X", "mindmap X", "look up this and that about X" etc.

"Think about" also sounds like it could mean that you actually are not really sure about what your Next Action is. Maybe reviewing your project with the Natural Planning Model could give you some further hints as to what your Next Action is.

 

[egallagher2k]

"Think about" also sounds like it could mean that you actually are not really sure about what your Next Action is. Maybe reviewing your project with the Natural Planning Model could give you some further hints as to what your Next Action is."

Bingo!