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Help My GTD Setup!

Well, I've been using GTD for quite sometime now and I've kind of figured out what is best for me, though. I need some help with some of the stuff though. For example, I don't know what do with certain projects I want to do. Some of the current projects I want to do is getting my room organized, selling some of my belongings on E-Bay and such. These are 2 of my projects that I don't know what to do with. Does anyone have any suggestions for planning a project? I've tried backpack, but I don't like that and I am currently using GNotebook but I've been looking for something better.

Tools I currently use:

  • Remember the Milk
  • Joe's Goals
  • Google Calendar
  • MoneyTrackin
  • Netvibes (feeds and GTD integration)

I was also wondering if I should carry something physical around with me besides a PDA or something since I don't have the money for one. I was thinking about carrying around a small notebook but I don't know what kind I should get and such.

Help me, please!

D.M.


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jasonechols's picture

Hey, Dustin. You may need...

Hey, Dustin.

You may need to get simple with your approach to these two projects. You may need to do nothing more than sit down with paper and pen (or pencil if you prefer), and break that sucker down.

For example, for cleaning the room, I would think of what actions can be broken out to make this big task look like several smaller parts. Let me explain by using the 5S method.

When cleaning an area, it is a good thing to remember the 5S approach.

  • Sort (organize the items in a manner that make sense)
  • Simplify (create a simple system of organization)
  • Sweep (separate out things you do not need or have not used in a long time)
  • Standardize (set a standard for how you want the room to look)
  • Self-discipline (discipline yourself to properly maintain your new system)
It sounds like you are already thinking about the sweeping part since your other project is to sell some of these items on Ebay. So the first NA for your second project actually sounds like it will be completing the first.

What part of Alabama are you from?

dmclaughlin's picture

Hey, Dustin. You may need...

jasonechols;9632 wrote:
Hey, Dustin.

You may need to get simple with your approach to these two projects. You may need to do nothing more than sit down with paper and pen (or pencil if you prefer), and break that sucker down.

For example, for cleaning the room, I would think of what actions can be broken out to make this big task look like several smaller parts. Let me explain by using the 5S method.

When cleaning an area, it is a good thing to remember the 5S approach.

  • Sort (organize the items in a manner that make sense)
  • Simplify (create a simple system of organization)
  • Sweep (separate out things you do not need or have not used in a long time)
  • Standardize (set a standard for how you want the room to look)
  • Self-discipline (discipline yourself to properly maintain your new system)
It sounds like you are already thinking about the sweeping part since your other project is to sell some of these items on Ebay. So the first NA for your second project actually sounds like it will be completing the first.

What part of Alabama are you from?

Thanks for the help. I am from around Anniston, AL. I talked to your friend, Michael earlier on AIM, he was a bunch of help as well. Thanks for the advice.

ops30's picture

Definitely in agreement w/Jason's advice...simplify. Addition

Definitely in agreement w/Jason's advice...simplify.

Additionally, I would review the GTD book on project planning. The natural planning model that Mr. Allen describes sound like what you need.

Start with a clean notebook & pen. Then form a visualization of what you want the end result to look like, then work backward from the outcome, step by step, to where you are at this point in time. Write out everything that comes to mind.

Once you feel you've got everything, look over and see if there is anything you can edit out. Once you've finished you have planned the project. Those steps you recorded are your next actions to complete the project.

Place those NAs contextually into your system and go knock 'em out.

noodle's picture

... I was thinking about...

dmclaughlin;9631 wrote:
... I was thinking about carrying around a small notebook but I don't know what kind I should get and such.

Lots of people swear by Moleskines.

I like to use the voice recorder on my cellphone.

dmclaughlin's picture

I've updated my GTD setup...

I've updated my GTD setup a little.

I use Netvibes as my GTD "Dashboard", if you will. In my netvibes, I have my 30Boxes calendar, my Joe's Goals, my Remember the Milk, and my Google Reader (for my GTD/personaldev/productivity feeds) and last but not least MoneyTrackin' (my money tracker)

This has proved mose useful because I can access all of my GTD needs on one webpage and I have also organized my room to be way more organized and I have 3 shelves on my desk now that I use for just throwing slips of paper (with reminders on them) into and I am working on making myself a cool piggy bank.

I also use a mini-notebook to organize my projects and my thoughts.

sxyshandy's picture

Interesting use of Netvibes

I just fell into using Netvibes more often as, as you refer, my Dashboard. I’ll take a look at those Joe’s Goals and Money Trackin as well so thanks for the tip DM.

dannielo's picture

New GTD application

All are great tools, and you can consider also http://www.gtdagenda.com

About dmclaughlin

 
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