What's the next action

GTD is like learning how to walk

10 04 07 - 22:32 - Bookmark this post

This weekend, I received a link to an articleon Everyfing.com which gives some pretty good critique on the GTD system. It is a very good article and some of the points he makes resonate with me. Especially when he talks about how the book is written and how the chapters are set up. I agree, it could be shorter on some points. I do disagree with him on the implementation and use of the system. I get asked often about a sort of managementsummary of the system since people don't have the time to actually read it and implement the system. I had the same problem. untill I started to read and started to think about it.

You can compare setting up your GTD system as learning how to walk. I have a baby daughter so I know I'm gonna see this happen real soon with her. When you see a young child learning something new, it always goes with errors, falling, learning, wondering, trying again. When I watch how my daughter first discovered her own feet when she was 3 months old. It was pure joy. She didn't understand those parts of her body and it took some time for her to connect. But you see how she learns. She tries new things. Like rolling over. She fails, cries, gets angry. And then tries again.Untill she gets the hang of it. The smile on her face and in her eyes (and her parents') is the best thing in the world.

Same thing with GTD. It is hard. You will fail. You will fall of the bandwagon. I did. I still do. But you must know what lies ahead. If you just get the slightest sense of victory, try to keep that in mind. Try to keep that as a successfull outcome. And when you fail again, know that you can try it again. Just as you learned how to walk or sit or eat. And then try again.

This post was influenced by a column from Danny Bader on the Davidco.com website.

Hi,

Thanks for the mention. You are right here – I was more dissatisfied with the way the book was written than with the whole GTD conception. I understand that mastering such heavy system as GTD requires time. However, I’ve tried several ways to get my things done and found that there are no perfect system.

I’ve read many blogs on GTD, including yours. And I figured out one thing – many people use GTD in their own way. I guess the term “gtd” know became a synonim to “productivity system” or “personal organization system” because there’s nothing such popular around as GTD. And that’s the reason to occasionally read blogs on gtd even if you don’t symphatesize with the GTD methodology. Because you get insights and ideas on productivity systems from different people.

By the way I’m “he”, not “she”.
Karolis - 11 04 07 - 22:44

Hi Karolis, thanks for your comment and clarification. And apologies for the gender-mishap, don’t know where it came from but it’s fixed!
You do made me wonder if there also blogs about “7 habits” or other systems…time for some googling…
Frank Meeuwsen - 11 04 07 - 22:59

As you mention “7 habits of highly effective people” I remember that I also have this book in my shelve. I’ve tried to read it several times, but it just didn’t engage me. As far as I remember, “7 habits” is more about life purpose, personal values, goals and similar stuff. Or I haven’t found an actual organization system described in that book. If you’re intrested in personal developement, goal-setting, etc there’s a great blog stevepavlina.com focusing on such subjects.
Karolis - 11 04 07 - 23:13

Your post gave me an idea for a blog post. Thank you.
Shaine Mata - 13 04 07 - 04:35