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Do you find it difficult to complete tasks on time? And, are you always putting off tasks until the last minute?
If you’ve answered yes to one of these questions, then the GTD method is for you!
The GTD method, also known as the Getting Things Done method was introduced by David Allen in his book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.
Being in a work environment filled with tasks, requests and unpredictable events can be difficult to manage. Distractions or interruptions from devices or colleagues are obstacles that make you put off tasks and adjust your agenda. This is why it is important to manage your time efficiently.
So, how can you manage time and priorities more efficiently to increase your productivity and free your mind?
By following the 5 simple steps of the GTD method explained in this article!
The GTD method, also known as the Getting Things Done method is a time management and productivity system introduced by David Allen in 2001.
By using this method, you will be able to:
In his book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, David Allen explains the fundamental steps of getting things done efficiently.
The GTD method helps to get things done by :
☝️ However, you should keep in mind that: to get the most out of the GTD method, you will need discipline and you must keep following the key steps in the long term.
On a daily basis, you must be able to schedule urgent tasks and unforeseen events into your schedule. And, constantly review the prioritization of tasks so that you don't get overwhelmed, thus optimizing your work processing as well as omnifocusing on more important tasks.
The getting things done GTD method is designed to manage workflows by following five steps:
Here is a simple explanation of the GTD method:
© mfyz
Write, record, or gather any and everything that has your attention into a collection tool.
This includes:
The goal is to write down worrying elements to free yourself from them. The Inbox of the GTD method fulfills this role.
You can write down these elements on:
Similar to a device in sleep mode, these background tasks use energy from your brain that you will need to use when completing important tasks.
This step consists of defining the nature of each task or idea:
❌ If the answer is no :
✅ If the answer is yes:
If you’ve answered YES to all these questions, then you should complete the task immediately. If you’ve answered NO to them, then you should continue to the next step.
💡Here are some rules that you should remember :
Now, it's time to organize and prioritize the tasks that could not be completed in less than two minutes. In other words, here is how you can sort and prioritize these tasks into your action plan.
Some tasks are scheduled, some are now completed, and new tasks have appeared on your list.
It's important to check in regularly: every day, once a week, at the beginning or end of the week... it depends on each person. Why should you review actions?
Do you feel lost in your tasks and projects? Are you confused about where you are and how to deal with new ideas without falling behind?
👉 Take the time to review your tasks to prioritize them and move forward serenely.
Your tasks are prioritized and planned: now it’s time for action! It's time to carry out these tasks according to the schedule you planned. Always keep an eye on your to-do list so you know which tasks to complete according to the time and energy you have available.
In what order should you organize the tasks?
👉 Do you not have enough time to deal with an urgent task?
Then, you should repeat this method from step 1. Assess how urgent this task is, the time needed to complete it and whether or not you can delegate or postpone it by planning it later. Procrastination can be a good thing!
And keep in mind: you have the right to say no! The level of urgency of this task is relative and varies from person to person. And, the success behind the Getting Things Done method depends on your ability to respect order and task management. If you feel that a task is not as urgent as you are told it is, it is up to you to choose how and when to deal with it... or what other tasks to postpone to deal with it.
Trello is an online task management and project management system designed for businesses of all types and sizes. With Trello, you can create visual maps to organize tasks according to projects and progress.
© Trello
The strengths of Trello include:
Asana is a work management software that helps teams coordinate and manage their work, tasks, and projects.
Asana will help your business work more efficiently by making sure that every team member is up-to-date on all tasks, projects, processes.
© Asana
You can also use Asana to manage your to-do lists for days, weeks, or months (in a "My Tasks" view).
The strengths of Asana include:
Evernote is a handy tool for creating notes, to help you remember everything you might forget. You can create GTD-type lists and organize, prioritize and classify them into projects, and even share them.
© Evernote
The strengths of Evernote include:
The GTD method helps you improve your organization skills, accomplish your tasks one by one, and getting things done while having the satisfaction of crossing them off your to-do list.
You will free your mind and see your projects move forward. Are you ready to use this method and get things done?
*GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of The David Allen Company.