Praise be for GTD

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dbobfish

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First of all - suberb forum, and some suberb posts too.

I've been hanging on the sideline for a week or two now, just reading and soaking up all the good information and learning from the experiences of those of you who really seem to have this system really well worked out.

What I'd love to hear though is some real good experiences - what GTD has really done for you.

It'd be good to hear from everyone who has a real success they can say was made all the more possible through the use of the GTD system.

If you could give GTD one moment of praise for something it's helped you to achieve - what would it be?
 
GTD means never forgetting

My biggest general success with GTD is adopting the collection habit. Collecting things as they come to me means not having to worry about remembering anything until "later" when I can do something about it. My collection habit works well enough that my wife asks me to write things down do they won't be forgotten.

In terms of particular successes, I had multiple stalled projects that got moving when I started doing GTD because of the focus on the next action. Instead of thinking about the projects as single items, GTD helped me identify the smaller parts that needed to be done so I could focus on them instead. By identifying next actions in advance, I don't have to re-think projects over and over to find out what needs to be done next.

(I started with GTD over a year ago, so I don't remember which projects those were -- they're done now.)
 
One thing that I will say for GTD is that when I'm using it, I don't have as many (emails, junk mails, brochures, etc) piled up because "I don't have time now, but I'd like to get to it...eventually". GTD forces me to decide on each and every item that comes through email or across my desk.

I find that I have to deal with things as they come in. If I get one email at the top of my list that I haven't processed, the rest of the list backs up. For some reason, all it takes is one item in my inbox either email or physical to back up the entire program until I deal with it.

I also like, again when I'm following GTD, the collection process. I have a bad habit of trying to do something, get an idea, and follow that idea for several hours. Most ideas lead to other rabbit trails and sooner or later the entire day is gone and I didn't do what I was supposed to do. If I keep a pad of paper near my computer, I can stop for a second, jot down my idea, and get back to work. I do this with each idea and then I process them later. This way I don't get sidetracked as easily.
 
Doh!

Thanks emuelle1

"If I keep a pad of paper near my computer, I can stop for a second, jot down my idea, and get back to work. I do this with each idea and then I process them later. This way I don't get sidetracked as easily."

That's a great idea. Just having a 'doh' moment - you know - one of those moments where you think 'I knew that - I read about that idea years ago - why am I not using it?!'
 
deep changes

dbobfish said:
What I'd love to hear though is some real good experiences - what GTD has really done for you.
Click to expand...
I've had a ton of changes as a result, including:

o curing my insomnia,
o starting Tae Kwon Do after 20 years,
o losing 15 pounds,
o starting a blog , and
o fixing a severe back problem

Generally, I'm happier, able to do much more than before, but with less stress. On top of that, I'm sincerely grateful to David Allen for introducing me to the field of personal productivity. I'm now switching careers!
 
Implementing GTD made it possible for me to leave a job that made me miserable for one that I love. My favorite overall benefit has been learning "next action" thinking.
 
GTD has helped me move out of a stale job, start doing the consulting work I've always wanted to do, and helped me get my applications in to law school. If I'm admitted, I'm sure it will help me tremendously as a student as well. The two biggest helps to me have been the collection habit and the two minute rule. I'm still shocked at what can get done in two minutes.
 
Feeling inspired...

Can't help feeling that little extra inspiration from you all - some good experiences here - life changing even.
 
GTD helped a lot with my sleep problems. I don't chew all night on half-resolved open loops any more.
 
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