What's the next action

Deafening silence

01 03 05 - 19:43 - Bookmark this post

What happened? Why is it so quiet here? I don’t know. I haven’t put anything on for the last 14 days. That’s not nice to my readers. But the truth is: I am looking for a format for this weblog. And at the same time I am struggling with GTD and the implementation. Yes, still…I don’t know what it is, but every time when I think to myself “This weekend is going to be THE weekend to REALLY get going”, something happens. Most of the time I find something else to do. Like rearranging books or changing the desktop on my PC. You know what I’m talking about right? Yeah, it’s procrastination-a-gogo over here. I’ve listened to the tapes, read the books but somehow, something is stopping me. I think it’s two issues:
1. Extreme situation at work. I am currently involved in some major projects (The Big One) and quite some other at work. This makes me feel really stressed and still not really able to get going. You know, the Inbox is empty, but the tasklist is full. And still I have the idea I am missing something. Result: stress! Extra result: procrastination.
I can so relate to Ricky’s stories about the GTD Fast CD’s. It feels like I’m reading my own stories…
2. A new house. Another pretty big change in my life. We are moving to another city in a new house. Lots of stuff to do, lists to make, things to arrange. Makes me a bit stressfull too. Especially since my girlfriend can’t really help that much because she is looking for a job most of the times.

So what to do? I don’t know right now. I really really appreciate all your support and comments. But I feel like I first need some calmness and ease in my life. It’s a whirlwind right now and trying to make big changes in how I deal with it at the same time just doesn’t cut it for me.
Ah hell, that’s how I feel right now. Maybe when I think about it, read some chapters, just get some “Zen” in here, things might look better for me.

sigh…

I understand completely how you feel. I have been giving “GTD” a try for about a year now, but can’t say that I feel comfortable with it yet either. I find myself slowly going back to my Franklin-Covey Planner, where I truly felt like I was able to plan and take charge of what I was doing (to a point). This is not much help for you now, but you are not alone.
George Mixon - 02 03 05 - 02:36

If the point of GTD to help you rid yourself of the self-imposed stress, isn’t it odd to wait to be stress free to get started with GTD? Isn’t the process you’re putting off offering to provide you the very thing you wish you had the most?

Before, I was unable to SLEEP because my mind raced of all the things I needed to take care of. Now, if I start to feel myself doubting my control, I have a nice tasklist and calendar to resassure me. I only keep a single next action list with shorthand codes for context and project:
work {FB06} test build on min. spec.
work {FB06} fix strategy screen skill points
home {4SALE} repair hallway sheetrock
home {COP} bag up clothes for donation
...etc…

If things linger on my list too long, I evaluate if it really needs to be done within a certain time frame and either move it to my calendar or put it back in the “someday” list. I’m juggling and completing far more things than I ever have. Then again, I’m not saying I have it all figured out either!

I have to say, I thought it was going to take me 2 full days to go through the initial collection and processing steps after reading the book. It really only took me a couple of 3 hour sessions to get it done. Perhaps I don’t have as much crap as a wealthy Fortune 500 CEO? I certainly don’t feel like I missed anything. If you’re moving, that’s an excellent opportunity to collect and process.

Here’s a good article on “Overcoming Procrastination”: http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/ove..
Paul - 02 03 05 - 02:58

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