Nothing substitutes for carefully reading the book all the way through at least once. I like the audiobook, but if you’re serious about giving GTD a go, I’d read the dead-tree-version then keep it nearby — you’ll be referring to it a lot in the next few weeks.

Second, I think that, as much as you can manage, you need to firewall time to do your setup and initial collection/processing. That seems nuts when you’re already crazy-busy, but ask anyone who’s found the time; it’s really worth it.

Got the book yesterday, the easy part, now the firewall part. Thanks Mark

I’ve found it a bit daunting too.

A good starting place for me was doing the ‘inbox zero’ http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/25/merlins-inbox-zero-talk

my email was out of control, so I have two scary ‘dump’ files of old to-be-sorted emails, but at least the problem isn’t continuing to grow. I’ve also switched to Entourage (which I assume is similar to Outlook), since much of my email is linked to some sort of writing or computer based project, to see how that goes for keeping it all connected.

When an email to do with a project I’m working on (a set of online tutorials) arrived, I created a project associated with it, and a deadline on the calendar. I had’t used the calendar before… so next time I get a social event arrive, I’ll create a calendar event with reminder, and file the email in archive. So I think the GTD system is sort of growing organically as each new type of information arrives in my inbox.

I piled every bit of paper I could find into a couple of emptied desk drawers - the single collection point - and started ploughing through them. From there it started to become clear what I needed to do next, as I had to take an action on each item.

You can download my GTD Quickstart Guide. It’s a Quicktime movie that lays out the GTD process as a set of 10 habits a person has to learn how to juggle. It takes about 5-10 minutes to get through, but it’s a nice way of thinking about learning GTD. It’s a tutorial for the GTD program I designed for the mac, but the principles apply regardless of what program or platform a person uses. Just click on the “Just the RSD Movie” link to download the tutorial.

Also, check out Scott Moehring’s Advanced GTD Workflow. One piece of paper with the entire workflow all laid out very nicely. It’s free from David Allen’s site at the link above.

I ended up buying the audiobook and listened to it. After listening, I went out and bought the paper version - and I’m glad I did. Merlin is right, you WILL be referring to it on an ongoing basis as you get GTD going. I feel you’ll always absorb things better when reading versus listening, and that is most certainly the case with GTD.

I still have it close by, and the audio version and both 43 Folders and David Allen podcasts are staples on my iPod Touch.

Every comment so far is right. Firewall time and set up. I just have one little bit of advice to add for you.

Be patient. GTD is a process and whatever system you set up for yourself in the beginning will likely change several times before you really feel like you’ve got it. And then, after you’ve used that system for a while, you’ll change it again and get even more benefit out of it. Lather, rinse and repeat for a few years.

Just don’t get discouraged if the heavens don’t open up with a choir of angels right away. Once you do a month’s worth of weekly reviews, you’ll understand just how much your perspective can change, and how much more change is still in store for you.

Oh, and be sure to firewall review time too.

Good luck!

One of David Allen’s basic points is that you need to track your commitments in order to managed them effectively and to limit the stress for all the incomplete commitments. The first thing you’ll do, after reading the GTD book, is over-commit and explode yourself, a very natural thing because David can bring out the enthusiasm in all of us. I suggest that you start out with a limit to the number of NAs and Projects that you keep on you lists and overemphasize the use of the Someday/Maybe/Not-likely/Wishlist list, and my recommendation is that you limit the NAs to 50 and Projects to 10, and that you force almost every possible commitment to land on the Someday/Maybe list before migrating to the real one - it’s kind of like impulse purchases versus planned purchased - the planned ones are best. Track commitments. Stay simple.

Be well. Dr. Marty