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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

New GTDer: A wall is there

Okay.
I've read the book.
I've read most of the archives at Lifehacker and 43folders.
I've reorganized my references.
I've tossed my office, and put everything relevant in my inbox.
I've done my mindsweep (though I'm certain I've missed things).
I've defined discrete distinct next actions for things.
Projects have been planned vertically.
I've put it all in an external system (kGTD, though, honestly I don't think I like it).
I even got something to carry with me to write on (though I honestly can't see how the hPDA is much different from a memo book. Sure you can rearrange, but it's just supposed to be a quick capture device right?)

....

Now, I'm sitting here looking at all of this. And nothing's changed. I still feel anxious. I know D. Allen said looking at your lists will foster anxiety, and it sure has. I feel as bad as before. It's still at the point where I can't actually do any of the next actions. I look at them and go, "Pbbbbbbbbt." I can't get motivated. Why? I want to see the end product. I want to get things done. I want to be the best. It's like I need a swift kick in the ass. I know I can't be the only one who has experienced this. Minuteur helps, but then I feel forced and uncreative. Any suggestions? I feel poised to begin the race, but I'm glued to the starting blocks.

Flexiblefine's picture

GTD is not a motivational system

fade wrote:
It's still at the point where I can't actually do any of the next actions. I look at them and go, "Pbbbbbbbbt." I can't get motivated. Why? I want to see the end product. I want to get things done. I want to be the best. It's like I need a swift kick in the ass. I know I can't be the only one who has experienced this.

Say it with me: "GTD is not a motivational system." It's great at helping you keep track of everything so you know where to find things and what you can do at a given place and time, but the urge to do those things has to come from somewhere else.

For some people, just having everything organized is energizing enough to get them to tear into their lists and get things done. For others, it can be tougher. For me, GTD finally highlighted my procrastination problems.

One of the challenges of starting GTD is learning to think of the actions without the baggage of the projects they move forward. It's one thing to see "Photoshop web header image" on a list and another thing to think about all the other web site development that still has to be done to get that project finished.

Another challenge is finding the right length for your lists. I discovered that I have a problem when I have to choose from too many options. Give me a list of 5 actions in a context, and I can crank through them. Give me a list of 15, and I can't make a choice. Do you have long lists?

You don't mention contexts. I presume you have chosen contexts and organized your actions accordingly -- but are those contexts really good reflections of your work?

Look at your action lists, and make sure that each action really truly is something you could do right now (or as soon as you find yourself in the appropriate context). Many items that end up on my action lists are really mini-projects or things that need something else done before I can get to them. That "something else" is really the next action, but that doesn't always leap to mind.

I agree with Paul -- set aside a block of time and just do. It may be forced and uncreative, but it can start the process of getting things knocked off your lists. GTD is a workflow management system, so your work needs to flow.

Give some of these things a try and let us know how it goes for you.

 
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