Some good advice for those searching for the perfect tool

I would agree. It's game over when my ego gloms onto the latest shiny tool, and pretends that it's now being productive because the "system has been transferred over". Effective GTD practice still takes some focused effort, which the recalcitrant 8 year old inside me still resists here and there - that formed its own version of logic and reason.

All that said, I'm actually having success with integrating my GTD Trusted System within Evernote -- has all the basic and complex features I need.
 
I agree, too.

I believe I usually have a skeptic attitude to most new things. I tend to assume they are quite useless, and I usually find them to actually be quite useless in those few cases that I even bother to investigate.

But on occasion I actually do find some approach that I like, and a tool for it, and when I mention that to others I find that I get bombarded with insinuations that I have fallen for some cheap or evil ploy - the most common way this is phrased is "simpler is better", "less is more" etc.

Sometimes, albeit perhaps rarely, more is actually more, and also better ;-)
 
Yes, I agree. It's easy to waste time looking for a new productivity app. I've been there.

That said, if the tool you are using is actually slowing you down by creating too much friction, it's worth considering an alternative. In my experience the better alternative can often be something that is more simple to use, e.g. fewer fields, fewer features, etc. The more complex systems often require more time to use and can cause you to set up a complex system that gets in your way.
 
Once you select your tool the way you use it will change over time. I've used OmniFocus for a while now and I feel like it's a guitar that constantly needs "tuning". It's both a weekly review need as well as how you structure or tweak your lists.
 
PeterW said:
That said, if the tool you are using is actually slowing you down by creating too much friction, it's worth considering an alternative.
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I agree. But I think too many people who participate in these forums think the choice of tool is a life-or-death decision. The tool you choose won't make-or-break your GTD practice. Diligence is the key.
 
Mark Jantzen said:
I've used OmniFocus for a while now and I feel like it's a guitar that constantly needs "tuning".
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Really? My GTD setup has remained static for over a year now and I like it that way. It leaves me free to think about my work rather than worrying about how to manage my lists.
 
bcmyers2112 said:
I saw this link posted on the Evernote forum by someone who goes by the handle "chirmer" (and I think I've seen that handle here too). I think it's good advice.
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I don't agree with this statement:

Tanner Christensen said:
As writer and Google developer Mark Pilgrim explains in this interview with The Setup, the tool doesn’t matter as much as the work you want to do with it, so focus on the work:
I’m a three-time (soon to be four-time) published author. When aspiring authors learn this, they invariably ask what word processor I use…Whatever. Picking the right text editor will not make you a better writer. Writing will make you a better writer. Writing, and editing, and publishing, and listening — really listening — to what people say about your writing.​
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My book writing productivity increased tenfold after switching from Mac/Ulysses to Microsoft Windows/Microsoft Word. Why? Because Mac/Ulysses spell checker for Polish language is a toy in comparison with Microsoft's tools.
 
TesTeq said:
I don't agree with this statement:

My book writing productivity increased tenfold after switching from Mac/Ulysses to Microsoft Windows/Microsoft Word. Why? Because Mac/Ulysses spell checker for Polish language is a toy in comparison with Microsoft's tools.
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I don't think replacing one of many acceptable text editors with the world's best-known word processor qualifies as an unending search for the perfect tool. Especially if it happens to better support your native language better. Of course, you might think Word is Perfect ;) , but many would disagree.
 
bcmyers2112 said:
Really? My GTD setup has remained static for over a year now and I like it that way. It leaves me free to think about my work rather than worrying about how to manage my lists.
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I totally agree. It is liberating not having to weigh options. Oh, I have been tempted to change....but so far I am sticking with what seems to be working for me.
 
mcogilvie said:
I don't think replacing one of many acceptable text editors with the world's best-known word processor qualifies as an unending search for the perfect tool.
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I agree. It wasn't "an unending search for the perfect tool". ;-)

mcogilvie said:
Especially if it happens to better support your native language better. Of course, you might think Word is Perfect ;) , but many would disagree.
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I really wanted to write my book using my iMac. But gave up.
 
I generally agree with this article with a caveat. If a tool isn't working for you and you are missing deadlines or losing things (leaks in your boat) then it's important to examine if the tools you are using are the problem OR if the problem lies with you. I completely agree though that some people use the idea of searching for the perfect tool as a form of procrastination. This is a big reason why I practiced GTD on paper for a while before entertaining the idea of looking for any digital tools. I wanted to make sure I had the concepts down and wasn't relying on any tool to "save me".

Thanks for sharing! This was a good article!
 
bcmyers2112 said:
I saw this link posted on the Evernote forum by someone who goes by the handle "chirmer" (and I think I've seen that handle here too). I think it's good advice.

http://99u.com/workbook/41375/searching-for-the-perfect-tool-for-the-job-is-a-waste-of-time
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Hey, thanks for the hat tip! This article really helped me realize that my never-ending search for the perfect tool was never going to lead to the perfect tool, happiness, or productivity. Obviously, you need a tool that does in fact work (like a writing tool that doesn't botch your language), but when you're deciding how an app handles due dates, or what color choices are available for tags... IMHO you're off the deep end and have a long, rough swim back to shore ahead of you.
 
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