The new GTD System Kit

[SaddleSC]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has ordered or listened to the new GTD System audio program. It includes six CD's worth of presumably newly recorded content, a copy of the GTD book, Quick Reference cards and a free month of GTD Connect. $79 seems like a great price.

I have been involved with GTD for about seven years and have read the original book on numerous occasions. I am a former Connect member and am constantly refining my system. I am wondering if anyone with significant GTD experience has found value in this new system as a refresher/review?

Any insight/opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Barb]

Product

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has ordered or listened to the new GTD System audio program. It includes six CD's worth of presumably newly recorded content, a copy of the GTD book, Quick Reference cards and a free month of GTD Connect. $79 seems like a great price.

I have been involved with GTD for about seven years and have read the original book on numerous occasions. I am a former Connect member and am constantly refining my system. I am wondering if anyone with significant GTD experience has found value in this new system as a refresher/review?

Any insight/opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I have ordered it, but not yet received it. I've been GTD-ing since the beginning almost, have used telecoaching, read all the books, and a Connect member for about 2 years. I hope I qualify as having "significant GTD experience".

I'll be posting a review of the product on the Connect site. Since you are no longer a member, though, jog my memory and I'll try to do it in the public forum too.

I'm not selling Connect, but I do feel compelled to tell you there have been VERY significant changes in the past couple of months. Kelly Forrister is in charge of the content, the coaches are weighing in more often, they've introduced webinars...it is SO much more valuable than it was before. Where I once thought about cancelling regularly, I have to say I wouldn't dream of it now.

Sales pitch over I just know that former Connect members have no idea of how much it has changed.

 

[SaddleSC]

Thanks

Thank you for your input. I look forward to reading your full review. If I decide to order the System, I will be able to check out all the improvements to GTD Connect. I was a member during the first month it was offered and felt that it left a lot to be desired for the $$. Hopefully it has more fully lived up to its potential.

Anyone else order the System?

 

[mackiest]

I was a member during the first month it was offered and felt that it left a lot to be desired for the $$. Hopefully it has more fully lived up to its potential.

Anyone else order the System?

If you're thinking of ordering it with the idea of downloading the audio and video files that have been posted since you were last a member, keep in mind that such downloads are not allowed with the trial membership.

I'm also curious to hear opinions on the audio program, especially from people who already know GTD fairly well.

 

[lolajl]

I'm not selling Connect, but I do feel compelled to tell you there have been VERY significant changes in the past couple of months. Kelly Forrister is in charge of the content, the coaches are weighing in more often, they've introduced webinars...it is SO much more valuable than it was before. Where I once thought about cancelling regularly, I have to say I wouldn't dream of it now.

Yep . . . just as soon as I get a job that gives me enough disposable salary to pay for a Connect membership, I'll definitely be signing up for it. Had a look at the material available during my free trial and found quite a few that I would benefit from. The audio content won't be useful to me, because of my hearing loss. But the printed material - definitely, and would like to see more (a lot more of these) in the future.

 

[SaddleSC]

Anyone . . . Anyone

Surely by now, someone has received their GTD System kit. Any initial impressions, insights or reviews to share?

I am still trying to figure out if this system has enough value to offer someone that has read the book (several times) and already owns the laminated summary cards. I am very familiar with the material and consider myself a "brown belt."

Any insight you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Barb]

Just got it

Surely by now, someone has received their GTD System kit. Any initial impressions, insights or reviews to share?

I am still trying to figure out if this system has enough value to offer someone that has read the book (several times) and already owns the laminated summary cards. I am very familiar with the material and consider myself a "brown belt."

Any insight you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I ordered it the first day it was available and it just now came. I too have the system cards and have read the book AND have much of the other audio content (in addition to being a long-time Connect member).

Look at it this way: You get a free month of Connect (WAY more value in that than you might have found previously), you get CDs. I really bought it just for the CDs---if I get just a few nuggets (I've been assured there is new material so I can't miss), it will have only cost me 41.93 (there's shipping involved so you have to calculate that in). Factor in that you can surprise a friend or co-worker with a great book and/or the laminated cards...bonus points.

If you DON'T find it valuable once you get it, there is a 30-day money back guarantee.

 

[Barb]

So far

I've only had time to listen to 2 of the CDs--Critical Success Factors-- but I'm leaving town in a few days and just wanted to drop a little info:

If you're fairly new or brand new to GTD: This product is definitely for you. It is much easier to understand than reading the book might be because there are stories to explain various points. Also, from what I can see, the 3-cd set called "Three Days to Clarity" is a quick start to the system.

If you read the book and implemented without a seminar or any other materials: Regardless of how long you've been GTD-ing, you WILL get value from each and every CD.

If you've been using GTD 5 years or more, have used multiple tools to learn: This is the category that I fall into. I've got every audio program, have read all the books multiple times, have had telecoaching with Meg, and I'm a long-time Connect member. I bought it just for "nuggets" of information..something new, something old said in a different way, something to jog some new ideas. It was worth the money to me.

I hope this helps.

 

[tm_meier]

I've been doing GTD since the first book came out, I've done the GTDFast CD seminar, and I've read Making it All Work. My wife knows nothing about GTD, but has expressed an interest in learning. Would the GTD System kit be a good place for her to start. I figured I could listen along and help coach her in getting her system set up. Thanks!

 

[Barb]

Yes yes yes!

I've been doing GTD since the first book came out, I've done the GTDFast CD seminar, and I've read Making it All Work. My wife knows nothing about GTD, but has expressed an interest in learning. Would the GTD System kit be a good place for her to start. I figured I could listen along and help coach her in getting her system set up. Thanks!

The new GTD system would probably be the most non-threatening way for a person to learn, with the exception of probably the seminar. I have GTD Fast too and it's great...but lengthy, as you know.

I plan to slip the new cds into my non-GTD husband's car! It would be far easier to learn from the new system than just from reading the book.

Be sure she hops onto GTD Connect with the free 30-day trial. There's lots of video, getting started info, etc. there these days!

 

[SaddleSC]

Slow Order Fulfillment?

I appreciate the reviews posted thus far and am excited that veterans have found value in the new program.

My only complaint is the painfully slow order fulfillment. Perhaps I am just accustomed to companies shipping next day, especially when I pay for "Expedited Shipping", but I ordered on Thursday, first thing in the morning, and my order has still not been processed or shipped.

Hey David . . . Please add "Ship Expedited Orders in a Timely Manner" to the @Happy Customers context of your Next Actions List!

PS, I will post my reviews and initial impressions after receiving the materials.

 

[Barb]

3rd party

I appreciate the reviews posted thus far and am excited that veterans have found value in the new program.

My only complaint is the painfully slow order fulfillment. Perhaps I am just accustomed to companies shipping next day, especially when I pay for "Expedited Shipping", but I ordered on Thursday, first thing in the morning, and my order has still not been processed or shipped.

Hey David . . . Please add "Ship Expedited Orders in a Timely Manner" to the @Happy Customers context of your Next Actions List!

PS, I will post my reviews and initial impressions after receiving the materials.

Yes, it did take awhile. I figured out early on this was coming from a 3rd party shipper...Davidco stuff always ships very quickly.

Meantime, I've finished ALL the cds now. They were excellent. I highly recommend them, no matter where you are in your GTD journey.

 

[JD-on-GTD]

Is there a "best" order in which to go through these materials?

I read GTD 2-3 times over the last few years, tried to implement it more times than I can count, and it just never stuck. I am determined to implement it fully, both because the book makes so much sense and because I feel it is my last hope for gaining some peace of mind.

Anyway, I just got my new GTD System package, and am already having trouble processing this through my in basket and determining my "next action." Is there a best way for me to go though the materials? Read the book again first? Or start with CDs and, if so, which set to start with?

Or is this pretty much mix & match?

(See, it's this type of anxiety that keeps me from getting things done!)

 

[Barb]

woah....don't stress!

I read GTD 2-3 times over the last few years, tried to implement it more times than I can count, and it just never stuck. I am determined to implement it fully, both because the book makes so much sense and because I feel it is my last hope for gaining some peace of mind.

Anyway, I just got my new GTD System package, and am already having trouble processing this through my in basket and determining my "next action." Is there a best way for me to go though the materials? Read the book again first? Or start with CDs and, if so, which set to start with?

Or is this pretty much mix & match?

(See, it's this type of anxiety that keeps me from getting things done!)

OK, don't let this ADD to the stress in your life. It will likely take you quite some time to implement GTD fully...it takes EVERYONE time to do that...focus on just one aspect and make a start.

That being said, listen first to the 3 cds "3 days to clarity" to decide what will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Then go back to the book and read about it. Many people find that setting up their context lists works well to begin with. Don't worry about all the "old" stuff...just start processing new stuff as it comes in. Incorporate the older things as you can. Even if you implement one thing per month, you WILL get there! And for heaven's sake don't spend a bunch of time trying to find the "perfect system"!

And remember...It's a PROCESS. Keep us posted!

 

[JD-on-GTD]

Trying to do everything at once

Thanks for the tips, Barb. Funny you put "add" in caps, because I do have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). One of the reasons I need a system and tend to stress out.

I have to get used to the idea that I can't process my entire backlog in a weekend. I keep thinking that if I just try the right system, not only should I know in a day or two everything that I have to do, but I should actually have it all done two or three days later! (Where do I get these crazy notions?) And every second that goes by without me reaching that goal, my anxiety level increases.

Anyway, thanks for your response, I'm a little calmer now!

 

[Barb]

Saw myself there for a minute

Thanks for the tips, Barb. Funny you put "add" in caps, because I do have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). One of the reasons I need a system and tend to stress out.

I have to get used to the idea that I can't process my entire backlog in a weekend. I keep thinking that if I just try the right system, not only should I know in a day or two everything that I have to do, but I should actually have it all done two or three days later! (Where do I get these crazy notions?) And every second that goes by without me reaching that goal, my anxiety level increases.

Anyway, thanks for your response, I'm a little calmer now!

I have a real tendancy toward "all or nothing" so I hear you! Even one small change will make you feel better. Once you do that, trying doing a Mindsweep (that's described on one of the cds).

I read the book and it wasn't until I got GTD Fast that I was able to really implement it. The new system will help you a lot, but since you've already read the book more than once, just use it for reference. You KNOW the stuff...you just need to be reminded.

Have fun!

 

[Oogiem]

Backlogs take years

I have to get used to the idea that I can't process my entire backlog in a weekend.

Hang in there, if it's any comfort at all when I felt like I got everything into my system I realized that I had projects that had been in work for over 35 years! Some of my existing active projects won't be completed in my lifetime and many of mine take months or years to finish. I even have single next actions that can take years to do. It's not at all unusual to have so much that it takes a long time to get a handle on it.

The key thing about GTD is that you now know what you've got out there, can work on things in a concise and concrete way and can see actual progress on the things that matter to you.

I also found that if I could focus on a single context for a while and knock off the smaller actions within that context I made room for the big ideas and projects related to that area.

My contexts are different than most though. Work and home are the same place so what context I am in depends more on weather and availability of help.