How to really get started getting things done.
The gang over at the Cranking Widgets Blog (my new idols, BTW) have put the harsh light of reality on the GTD concept, and it’s not all bad.
The problem is not with the tools, they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to do - the bidding of their master (that’s you). Seriously folks, this stuff can be done with a couple boxes of super-cheap folders, a pantload of blank paper and a low-tech calendar.
Seriously. I have to admit, I’m a combination of both ‘the fiddler’ and ‘the copycat’. Basically I fiddle with cats… I mean I fiddle with setups I’ve copied from others. Which explains why it’s never felt right to me.
What I need is a system that is easy, portable and adaptable. Somthing that I can alter to fit my needs and wants. A single use notebook just doesn’t cut it. I really really don’t like the idea of various and seperate ideas being written down all jumbled on a single page. For example, I have a page in one notebook that contains source material for a story idea, ingredients for a recipe, TODO list and notes on a game I’m working on. All that on a single page!!! No wonder I can’t find anything when I need to!!!
The other option that I’ve been trying recently is several small notebooks, one for each ’subject matter’. Yea, that’s not gonna work. What the hell was I thinking? Games, Stories (1 for each subject or 1 for all?), Software projects, house projects, TODO list, etc… My pockets aren’t that big!
The basic premise of the GTD system is to use something that is quick and easy to store notes, ideas and lists, but do it is such a way that your brain trusts you will remember and use so that it always burdened by the weight of remembering everything, which (in theory) allows you to be more creative and flexible. Obviously that isn’t going to happen with multiple books since remembering and finding the appropriate book for whatever idea/thought/list you have to capture takes too much time. Going all digital and virtual isn’t 100% either since you can’t always carry a computer/phone with you everywhere or you don’t always have the ability to get and use software (expensive).
So my search goes on for, not the ultimate ’silver bullet’ solution, but for a solution that works for me and allows me to be more and more productive and creative.
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Comments
I’ve gone through the email system, the single list system, the various pieces of software and even my phone (which like and idiot I gave up and replaced with the iPhone. stupid, stupid, stupid) and none have worked. I’ve been fairly successful with jotting my ideas and thoughts done in my notebook, it’s just a PITA to try to find anything at the moment.
ugh.
I found this statement interesting:
I think this might be part of the reason people have such a hard time settling into a particular tool or set of tools. As much as the implement needs to make sense for its user, I think there’s far too little emphasis placed on the need for changes in habit. In other words, there’s something to be said for adopting a completely new set of tools - some that aren’t currently employed elsewhere, for other reasons. This is why an email-based GTD system would *never* work for me - I’ve been using email for a long time, long before I ever heard of GTD. So, trying to “repurpose” my email habits and tools for an altogether different purpose would ultimately prove counterproductive for both email *and* GTD.
Having droned on about that, I think you’d find that paper- or notebook-based GTD setups really are as extensible and flexible as you need them to be. As I said, it’s just a matter of teaching yourself to look at your lists regularly, and firing away at whichever item is appropriate for the time/situation.
Anyway, best of luck in your search - please do let me know if I can be of any assistance.
And thanks for the link and kind words, I appreciate it :)