Is your workload overwhelming? Does it just keep mounting up while your stress levels reach fever pitch? In Getting Things Done David Allen teaches you how to keep a clear head, relax and organise your thoughts while implementing the methods that he has introduced at organisations like Microsoft, Lockheed and the US Department of Justice: Learn the 'do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it' principle to empty your in-tray. Handle e-mail, paperwork and unexpected demands in a system of self-management. Plan and progress projects. Reasses goals and stay focused. Apply the two minute rule when deciding what to do now and what to defer. Overcome feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. With clear and specific methods and advice, David Allen's tried and trusted formula for business efficiency could transform the way you operate and your experience of work.
Getting Things Done: How to achieve stress-free productivity
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With first-chapter allusions to martial arts, "flow", "mind like water", and other concepts borrowed from the East (and usually mangled), you'd almost think this self-helper from David Allen should have been called Zen and the Art of Schedule Maintenance.
Not quite. Yes, Getting Things Done offers a complete system for downloading all those free-floating gotta-dos clogging your brain into a sophisticated framework of files and action lists--all purportedly to free your mind to focus on whatever you're working on. However, it still operates from the decidedly Western notion that if we could just get really, really organised, we could turn ourselves into 24/7 productivity machines. (To wit, Allen, whom the New Economy bible Fast Company has dubbed "the personal productivity guru", suggests that instead of meditating on crouching tigers and hidden dragons while you wait for a plane, you should unsheathe that high-tech sabre known as the mobile phone and attack that list of calls you need to return.)
As whole-life-organising systems go, Allen's is pretty good, even fun and therapeutic. It starts with the exhortation to take every unaccounted-for scrap of paper in your workstation that you can't junk. The next step is to write down every unaccounted-for gotta-do cramming your head onto its own scrap of paper. Finally, throw the whole stew into a giant "in-basket".
That's where the processing and prioritising begin; in Allen's system, it get a little convoluted at times, rife as it is with fancy terms, subterms, and sub-subterms for even the simplest concepts. Thank goodness the spine of his system is captured on a straightforward, one-page flowchart that you can pin over your desk and repeatedly consult without having to refer back to the book. That alone is worth the purchase price. Also of value is Allen's ingenious Two-Minute Rule: if there's anything you absolutely must do that you can do right now in two minutes or less, then do it now, thus freeing up your time and mind tenfold over the long term. It's common sense advice so obvious that most of us completely overlook it, much to our detriment. Allen excels at dispensing such wisdom in this useful, if somewhat belaboured, self-improver aimed at everyone from CEOs to football mums (who, we all know, are more organised than most CEOs to start with). --Timothy Murphy --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
Productivity guru David Allen shows how to organise a busy life, overcome bad habits and still be able to function calmly and effectively (WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY)
With first-chapter allusions to martial arts, "flow", "mind like water", and other concepts borrowed from the East (and usually mangled), you'd almost think this self-helper from David Allen should have been called Zen and the Art of Schedule Maintenance (As whole-life-organising systems go, Allen's is pretty good, even fun and therapeutic. It starts with the exhortation to take every unaccounted-for scrap of paper in your workstation that you can't junk. The next step is to write down every unaccounted-fo)
That's where the processing and prioritising begin; in Allen's system, it get a little convoluted at times, rife as it is with fancy terms, subterms, and sub-subterms for even the simplest concepts. Thank goodness the spine of his system is captured on a straightforward, one-page flowchart that you can pin over your desk and repeatedly consult without having to refer back to the book. That alone is worth the purchase price. Also of value is Allen's ingenious Two-Minute Rule: if there's anything you absolutely must do that you can do right now in two minutes or less, then do it now, thus freeing up your time and mind tenfold over the long term. It's common sense advice so obvious that most of us completely overlook it, much to our detriment. Allen excels at dispensing such wisdom in this useful, if somewhat belaboured, self-improver aimed at everyone from CEOs to football mums (who, we all know, are more organised than most CEOs to start with). (Timothy Murphy , AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW)
With first-chapter allusions to martial arts, "flow", "mind like water", and other concepts borrowed from the East (and usually mangled), you'd almost think this self-helper from David Allen should have been called Zen and the Art of Schedule Maintenance (As whole-life-organising systems go, Allen's is pretty good, even fun and therapeutic. It starts with the exhortation to take every unaccounted-for scrap of paper in your workstation that you can't junk. The next step is to write down every unaccounted-fo)
That's where the processing and prioritising begin; in Allen's system, it get a little convoluted at times, rife as it is with fancy terms, subterms, and sub-subterms for even the simplest concepts. Thank goodness the spine of his system is captured on a straightforward, one-page flowchart that you can pin over your desk and repeatedly consult without having to refer back to the book. That alone is worth the purchase price. Also of value is Allen's ingenious Two-Minute Rule: if there's anything you absolutely must do that you can do right now in two minutes or less, then do it now, thus freeing up your time and mind tenfold over the long term. It's common sense advice so obvious that most of us completely overlook it, much to our detriment. Allen excels at dispensing such wisdom in this useful, if somewhat belaboured, self-improver aimed at everyone from CEOs to football mums (who, we all know, are more organised than most CEOs to start with). (Timothy Murphy , AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
182 of 188 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a life-changing book. I was drowning in paper, felt constantly anxious about things I wasn't getting done, was missing deadlines, finding it hard to keep on top of my various commitments and projects. I thought I was just a disorganized person; this book has changed everything for me. I now have a clear idea of my commitments, an easy-access and reliable filing system, a simple way of capturing all my necessary actions, an empty inbox, and freer weekends. I should add that I have always been very cynical about these kinds of books and in fact I still am: I have looked at several other books on 'personal organization' and find them (a) ludicrous, pumped-up, pop-psychology books full of jargon and power phrases but signifying nothing, or (b) obsessed with making you a more productive little unit at work. This book is about making you a happier person - and makes it clear that the result of his simple techniques might be that you actually do less, by realising how your schedule works and refusing to take too much on. I can't recommend it enough.
67 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First off, I'll start by saying: "Don't hesitate, JUST BUY IT!!"
This is one of the best investments you'll ever make. I've read "Getting Things Done", got hooked, then proceeded to read D.Allen's other book "Ready for Anything" as well as source and listen to the CDs "Getting Things Done fast". I can honestly say that this book and the whole "GTD" way of thinking has changed my life.
Before this book, I was a procrastinator who was almost always late for deadlines and often unreliable with commitments. I read a variety of books on time-management, productivity and procrastination-motivation, but none as influential as this.
I have been using GTD for about 2yrs now, I am highly organized, productive, with all my commitments outlined in an organized and trusted system - nothing slips through the cracks any more. I've set everything up in Outlook, have my categories such as @home, @computer, @out etc and just keep ticking away Next Actions and completing projects. I synchronize everything with my smartphone (HTC S620) and have the whole system (calendar, tasks, contacts, notes) portable with me wherever I go. My inbox remains empty and all my emails are correctly processed. Finally, I've introduced the habit of the Weekly Review and now look forward to blocking the outside world, once a week, to take stock and reorganize myself and prepare for the week ahead.
Since I got this book, besides being productive and organized, I find myself meeting all deadlines and feeling much less stressed.
Like I said, JUST DO IT and buy the book! What you'll get is one of the best and most practical books on personal productivity!!!
This is one of the best investments you'll ever make. I've read "Getting Things Done", got hooked, then proceeded to read D.Allen's other book "Ready for Anything" as well as source and listen to the CDs "Getting Things Done fast". I can honestly say that this book and the whole "GTD" way of thinking has changed my life.
Before this book, I was a procrastinator who was almost always late for deadlines and often unreliable with commitments. I read a variety of books on time-management, productivity and procrastination-motivation, but none as influential as this.
I have been using GTD for about 2yrs now, I am highly organized, productive, with all my commitments outlined in an organized and trusted system - nothing slips through the cracks any more. I've set everything up in Outlook, have my categories such as @home, @computer, @out etc and just keep ticking away Next Actions and completing projects. I synchronize everything with my smartphone (HTC S620) and have the whole system (calendar, tasks, contacts, notes) portable with me wherever I go. My inbox remains empty and all my emails are correctly processed. Finally, I've introduced the habit of the Weekly Review and now look forward to blocking the outside world, once a week, to take stock and reorganize myself and prepare for the week ahead.
Since I got this book, besides being productive and organized, I find myself meeting all deadlines and feeling much less stressed.
Like I said, JUST DO IT and buy the book! What you'll get is one of the best and most practical books on personal productivity!!!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Unlike a generation of self-help gurus that preceded him, David Allen does not promise the stars in the heavens above for those that follow his method or his teaching, but simply offers a tool kit to increase productivity. The GTD method requires a big frontloaded commitment to set the 'full' system up -Allen often spends days with clients getting it up and running- and introduces a number of almost-gimmicky components (the 'tickler' file; the use of the labeller) which are innovative, and in a way, beguiling.
One of the problems with the system is that the 'wow, that's neat' factor can lead to an almost fetishistic devotion to the intricacies that leads people to focus on being 'meta-productive' instead of actually being productive (if you are prone to procrastination in the first place then you should be very wary of the 'bright and shiny' aspects of GTD that so many people get hung up on). Certainly, Allen himself offers no psychological solution for the problem of procrastination; during a podcast with Melvin Mann over at 43 Folders, the best Allen can come up with is, once you are 'clear' and have all your various folders and lists set up with 'next actions', if you aren't going to do what you really should be doing, you'll still have a a variety of productive things to get on with whilst you avoid your primary task. Which is, of course, no solution at all.
Nonetheless, it seems a bit unfair to Allen to criticise him for not offering advice on something -the psychology of motivation and procrastination- that he never said he was an expert in. (A book that dovetails nicely with GTD, that does offer a detailed social psychological analysis of this, is Switch ).... Read more ›
One of the problems with the system is that the 'wow, that's neat' factor can lead to an almost fetishistic devotion to the intricacies that leads people to focus on being 'meta-productive' instead of actually being productive (if you are prone to procrastination in the first place then you should be very wary of the 'bright and shiny' aspects of GTD that so many people get hung up on). Certainly, Allen himself offers no psychological solution for the problem of procrastination; during a podcast with Melvin Mann over at 43 Folders, the best Allen can come up with is, once you are 'clear' and have all your various folders and lists set up with 'next actions', if you aren't going to do what you really should be doing, you'll still have a a variety of productive things to get on with whilst you avoid your primary task. Which is, of course, no solution at all.
Nonetheless, it seems a bit unfair to Allen to criticise him for not offering advice on something -the psychology of motivation and procrastination- that he never said he was an expert in. (A book that dovetails nicely with GTD, that does offer a detailed social psychological analysis of this, is Switch ).... Read more ›
67 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Do you ever feel stressed because you have so many different things you need/want to do? Do you forget appointments or waste time looking in piles of paper for that one important note that you made? If you like me are disorganized and never seem on top of things this is the book for you. I love reading self improvement books. In fact I get a lot of stick from my husband about my reading habits along the lines of 'Why don't you stop reading books about improving your life and start living.' 'Getting Things Done' is the first such book to get me into action mode and start working on all those projects I've put off for so long. No longer do I feel my life is out of control; no longer do I feel overwhelmed by all the 'stuff' I've taken on board.
If you want to get organized but don't know where to start Dave Allen's book will give you the tools to 'Get Things Done.' The book recommends a set of principles, habits and a filing system which encompasses everything that you want to do from the mundane 'I must get new tyres for the car' to the important major project at work. If you have a hectic lifestyle this system will remind you that your library books need renewing or that the car is due for its MOT as well as that you need to write the first draft of a report for work or you want to email a friend to ask if they would like to go to a concert. You can concentrate on making that phone call or writing that report without worrying about all those other things that you need/want to get done. His system even finds room for long term 'dreams' which are not possible at the moment such as learning a second language, writing a book or travelling to China.... Read more ›
If you want to get organized but don't know where to start Dave Allen's book will give you the tools to 'Get Things Done.' The book recommends a set of principles, habits and a filing system which encompasses everything that you want to do from the mundane 'I must get new tyres for the car' to the important major project at work. If you have a hectic lifestyle this system will remind you that your library books need renewing or that the car is due for its MOT as well as that you need to write the first draft of a report for work or you want to email a friend to ask if they would like to go to a concert. You can concentrate on making that phone call or writing that report without worrying about all those other things that you need/want to get done. His system even finds room for long term 'dreams' which are not possible at the moment such as learning a second language, writing a book or travelling to China.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
so boring
The order arrived fairly quick. So no faults there, but the audio book itself is so incredibly boring, I need to pull myself together to get through disc 2. Read more
Published 7 days ago by customer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
Allen takes a collection of very simple concepts and puts them together to form a larger system which he calls "GTD". Read more
Published 16 days ago by Prockers
5.0 out of 5 stars
It is really helping me become way more productive
I choose this rating because it is the best of the best in productivity advice. I like how it points out the necessity of being organised in order to be more productive. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Miss Abbott
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful book
This has been really helpful in that it has motivated me to tidy up my in box, manage it more effectively and focus better on managing projects
Published 29 days ago by Michaela Stevenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sound consolidation of Time-Planning Methods
David's approach to improving productivity is not to throw all the balls in the air and give us a new approach. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rob Appleby
2.0 out of 5 stars
It took almost 2 years to get to reviewing this purchase. What does...
If you took out all the anecdotes, reminiscences and stories about times that Allen helped some overwhelmed executive, and just included the actual techniques, this book would be... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ann O'Nymus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Useful information, easy to implement ideas
I found this book really helpful. It's easy to read as it is very well structured. The ideas are easy to implement and after just a few days, my mind feels clearer and everything... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Phoebe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful
I've read this book a few times now, and each time I implement the advice given I become more productive.
Published 1 month ago by Claud Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
It works!
This has been around for a while now but it took me some time to truly embrace the principles. I had read around the subject, without ever actually reading the original book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr L D Toomey
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you follow the advice in this book, it will improve your...
It's not easy to follow, in that you have to change bad habits formed but with the hep of this book it is possible to dramatically change your life, in an organisational sense.
Published 1 month ago by VickyB
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