Ready for Anything Book

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Steve Wynn

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Being reasonably new to GTD is it worth getting a copy of The Ready for Anything Book by David Allen? Does it complement or expand on the GTD book?

I don't want to read it now if there is a chance it may throw what I have recently learned into confusion. But if it clarifies any of the existing points within the GTD book then I think it would be worth getting a copy just to double check I am on the right track.

Steve
 
Steve Wynn said:
Being reasonably new to GTD is it worth getting a copy of The Ready for Anything Book by David Allen? Does it complement or expand on the GTD book?

Steve
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I would say complementary. If you are having trouble with implementation and use Outlook or something similar, I would suggest the $10 Outlook whitepaper as a concrete guide. The now hard-to-get GTD Fast CD's are also very good in understanding how GTD works. The RFA book does not deal so much with implementation details, and each of the 52 chapters can be read separately. I have found the CD version of RFA very good to listen to in the car. Different parts really resonate with my own experiences at different times.
 
RFA is an inspirational GTD commentary.

RFA is for me an inspirational GTD commentary. GTD book is sufficient to setup basic GTD system. And I tell you that the core methodology consists of just three elements:
- define and make a list of the projects and their successful outcomes;
- define and make a list of the next action(s) for each active project (not for Someday/Maybes);
- DO THE WEEKLY REVIEW WEEKLY!
The easy to use reference system is very helpful too.
 
I have found RFA to be extremely helpful. Because of the way it is set up, I can dip into it quickly and receive a shot of motivation or specific instruction at the very moment it is needed.
 
I think Ready For Anything is a wonderful inspiration once you've got to grips with GTD basics. GTD requires discipline to maintain, and if you're like me you'll have setbacks along the way. My advice would be to concentrate on getting your GTD system up and running first. Once you're up and running, Ready For Anything should help you stay on track (or get back on track if you sometimes let your system slip). I like to read a random chapter of Ready For Anything each day if I can, and even though I've read it several times before, something inspiring or motivating nearly always jumps out at me.

Whatever you do, remember the Weekly Review is critical to success.
 
I found Ready for Anything to be fantastic. It's philosophical but covers many additional problems that may be encountered. Definitely complimentary to Getting things Done, but not to be overlooked.

I own the audio of "Ready for Anything" and play each CD periodically. Very good car listening.
 
Personally, I like the format. There are 52 little chapters - one for each week? (Clever, David! Very clever!). I do it as part of my weekly review.

In fact, there is a Yahoo Group that is doing just that - kind of a support group for those just getting going right through true GTD Junkies. We're doing a chapter a week. It's a small commitment, and very rewarding.
 
Sounds like it would be a good idea to buy the book even if I didn't use it straight away. Thanks for the comments.

Steve
 
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