Very interesting post. I understand completely even though I find my self falling on the opposite side of the planning line. I often have entries in my "Projects" list that are by all rights longer, complex, daunting projects with no pages for planning and support materials. I feel like I'm not getting enough out of my head and am doing too much "in-mind" mapping. For your example I may just have a next action that says "Trash". This may be OK for trash duty but I also have a line on my Projects list that says "Taxes". No plan, or list of actions, just a pile of papers still in envelopes, and one next action "get tax software".

Reading your post, getting a view of the other side of that line, helps me get an idea of the "right balance" of planning and doing. Mabie we can meet in the middle and actually get stuff done.

CRuss, I agree with you in that some projects require planning whereas others do not. My point was to be able to differentiate between the two. It's impossible to quantify the question of how much planning is enough because this varies from person to person. For me, I found that I was planning too much and, as a result, spent less time doing. You're right - there needs to be a balance, which is something I didn't have. It's not that I'm now planning less, but the planning I'm doing is less formal.

Ultimately, it comes down to reaching your own comfort level, so YMMV. I'm glad you liked the post.

Stew,

Thanks for the post. Enjoyed reading it.

It took me a while to realize that GTD lists are markers, reminders. To get everything out of one's mind means writing just enough down to trigger the right actions/thoughts. That's why I think DA emphasizes a master project list more than project plans. I can trust myself to think of the next step when the time comes.

That said, I generally try to write down anything I think I'll forget--any essential actions and/or information. So my project support (for bigger projects) consists of reminders of crucial items, including deadlines.

Thanks, mdl! You've hit the nail on the head! And in many fewer words than I. :)