About month or more ago, Jay told me about the Getting Things Done book and had me listen to David Allen on the 43 folders podcast. At the time, reading another book on organization ranked up there with doing my own root canal work. I did listen to the podcast with David on, well, because Jay suggested it and that is how he and I work. I decided not to take it further and read the book because I happen to be the most organize person I know. This is no joke; I have indexes for my filing system. I have intricate folder systems on my computer that even have a thumb scanner so I can lock some folders. Because I thought I was a master organizer the book was never bought.
Since then Jay has implemented some of the Getting Things Done system into our Internet business mastery business and I found it very useful. I figured I would just glean the info off Jay and see if it had any place in my current organizational extravaganza. A week ago Jay said he was going to completely follow the GTD system and to do so he needed 2 full days where he wouldn’t be available as he put the system into practice. Two whole days of organization seemed a bit much, but I was still under the idea that the book was simple a system to organize your stuff. Boy was I wrong.
Jay then talked a bit about how the system worked and about doing a mind dump to get out all the thoughts in his head so that you can be more productive. This is where I started to take notice as I have trained myself to be able to think of 10 things at once as well has holding vast “to do” lists in my head all while whistling the catchy opening music from the Penn Radio Podcast. I thought I was just smart because I could do all this, though I was feeling more and more overwhelmed as I added project after project to my business life.
The fact that Jay wanted to dedicate 2 days to GTD and what he said about being able to be more focused and productive because of certain techniques finally made me go out and buy the book. I read it on Saturday and was so fascinated by what it taught I dedicated my 2 days to it on Sunday and Monday of this week.
2 days ended up 3 and some change as I realized how counter productive my way of thinking was. I had problems focusing on the given project I was working on and I was constantly doing multiple projects at the same time, making it much harder to get anything done.
The biggest thing was learning how to empty my mental RAM. I realized my thinking and ability to enjoy my life were severely retarded by always having my mental RAM be working at 120%. Overclocked at all times to say the least. I was so used to the feeling of overwhelm that I didn’t even realize that was the panicked state I was in the majority of the time.
It took me HOURS and HOURS of writing just to get all the info I carry around with me at all times. I actually felt like I was in a new world when I was finished. I was able to enjoy regular activities like I hadn’t in a long time. Just playing a game with my daughters was so fulfilling instead of my normal experience of hoping it would go quickly because I had so many things I had to get finished, or started, or whatever. I feel like I went through some sort of self help seminar rather then the structured, step by step system that teaches the art of stress-free productivity!
When it comes to business I can safely say that I have done more today then I did all of last week, because of what I learned from Getting Things Done! I am so thankful I was able to see through my own ego and just read the book. Okay, before I start sounding like an infomercial I’ll end there…
The 3 Pillars of Designing Your Ultimate Internet Lifestyle
Audio eBook... to discover innovative new ways to
live the lifestyle you've always wanted!
Voicemail Line: 877-877-7507
Great show. I’ve been fortunate to be in a position where I could listen to all of the shows, one after the other, this week. Lots of great info and also a sense that I have the same map as you, you just got started earlier. Which in great because your show allows me to make some pretty good leaps in my thinking. So I’m intrigued by the redirect to a hyphenated url, I couldn’t find on the site, what kind or redirect is it? Is it at the root level? I vote for a show more indepth on email, auto responders and basically a part two to the first take on the subject. Another question is about crafting landing pages and specifically about length does all of that text, on and on really work and why?
Cheers,
Geoff
Reply
I went out today about bought the print and audio version of GTD. I’ve scheduled myself to have it read by next weekend and blocked Saturday and Sunday to implement at my office. I’m curious if anyone has downloaded the Outlook add-in to compliment your implementation? How does it work for you?
Reply
Hey Jason,
I didn’t do the outlook add on though I know Jay was thinking about going outlook 2007 and then adding it. I use Mindjet Mind Maps for all my implementation. Mindjet has alerts that on the main desktop so you don’t have to have the software open to see an alert. I missed many alerts with outlook because I try to only look at and sort my email once or twice a day, so any alerts that would have come up in the middle of the day I would have missed.
Reply
Geoff,
Thanks for the kind words about the show. Jay has it on the list to make a video tutorial on redirects where he is planning to show and discuss that info.
As for lenght of text on a landing page… If my landing page is a sales letter, I start long text, but I test everything I can. I will a/b split test every aspect of a site from words in the headline to color of the background. Testing is my best advise.
Reply
I’ve not yet tried the Outlook plug-in for GTD. I have seen quite a few posts where people indicated they liked it. I am about to start using the trial version of Outlook 2007 which seems to have many GTD-friendly features. I’ll let you know how that goes.
The GTD plugin is not yet 2007 compatible. It also seems like with the new 2007 features, it might not be needed. Anyone else had any experience with it?
Reply
Sterling: Are you using the Mindjet MindManager Pro or Basic? And is this different from the free FreeMind that you and J profiled in an earlier episode? I notice that Mindjet is not cheap. Is it that much better than FreeMind? Thanks!
Reply
Jason,
I am using Mindjet Pro as is Jay. There are MANY differences beween the two products in both usability and option. I use Mindjet for all project, personal and business. In many ways it is one of the most important software program I have. I do all my GTD stuff on it as well. I think Mindjet has a free trial period on the software so you can check it out and see if it would be worth it for you.
Reply
Hi guys,
Excellent podcast. I wanted to recommend the “GTD Fast” seminar that Dave Allen produced with the book. It is a booklet+8 CD’s (published by Nathingale-Conan) that goes in depth on many issues on implementation on the GTD system.
I know that it could be a bit difficult to obtain this days, but I heard there are some copies on public libraries of the east coast.
Cheers,
Patricio
Reply