The GTD (Getting Things Done) time management strategy is an all-in-one system of lists and calendars for both work and personal life. The GTD technique was invented by David Allen, author of "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity," released in 2001.
- Collect everything that has your attention
- Write down all tasks, ideas, and commitments
- Use inbox (physical or digital) as collection point
- Get everything out of your head
- Process what each item means
- Decide if it's actionable
- Determine the next action required
- If not actionable, trash, incubate, or file as reference
- Put items in appropriate categories
- Create context-based lists (e.g., @home, @office, @calls)
- Set up project lists
- Maintain calendar for time-specific items
- Create tickler file for future items
- Review your system regularly
- Daily: Review calendar and next actions
- Weekly: Comprehensive review of all lists, projects, and commitments
- Ensure system is current and complete
- Choose what to do based on:
- Context (where you are)
- Time available
- Energy available
- Priority
- Trust your system to work
- Keep your mind clear
- Externalize all commitments
- Respond appropriately to inputs
- Maintain calm focus
- If something takes less than 2 minutes, do it now
- Don't defer quick actions
- Prevents small tasks from cluttering system
- Always define the very next physical action
- No vague tasks
- Make actions concrete and doable
- Example: Not "Website" but "Email John for website mockup"
GTD works well combined with:
- Timeboxing: Determine how long to work on GTD tasks
- Time Blocking: Block time for GTD processing and reviews
- Pomodoro: Use Pomodoros for executing tasks from GTD lists
Advanced time-boxing methods like Pomodoro can be used in conjunction with a GTD system.
Popular apps implementing GTD:
- Todoist
- Things 3
- OmniFocus
- Notion
- Asana
- ClickUp
- Paper-based systems also work well
- Reduces mental stress
- Frees mind from tracking commitments
- Improves focus on current task
- Decreases anxiety about forgotten items
- Helps you catalog and organize upcoming work
- External tool handles tracking
- No longer mentally keeping track of to-dos
- Trust system allows better engagement
- Ensures nothing falls through cracks
- Comprehensive system for all life areas
- Both work and personal commitments
- Everything in one trusted system
- Clear visibility of all commitments
- Knowledge workers
- Professionals with many commitments
- Anyone feeling overwhelmed by tasks
- People who forget important items
- Those seeking stress-free productivity
- Anyone managing complex projects
The cornerstone of GTD:
- Review all projects and active lists
- Review next 2 weeks on calendar
- Review waiting-for list
- Review project plans and support materials
- Capture new items
- Get current, clear, creative, and confident
- @home: Tasks only possible at home
- @office: Tasks requiring office
- @computer: Computer-based tasks
- @calls: Phone calls to make
- @errands: Things to do while out
- @waiting: Waiting for others
- @someday: Ideas for the future
- Start with a complete capture session
- Don't get hung up on perfect tools
- Keep it simple initially
- Commit to weekly reviews
- Trust the process
- Give it at least 2 months before judging effectiveness
The methodology itself is free. The book "Getting Things Done" is available for purchase. Various apps implementing GTD range from free to paid subscriptions.