Getting Things Done

Getting things done! Isn’t that every-single-one’s basic thought for this year, for every year? It certainly is mine!

David Allen has structured this process in his book by the same name and even though I had been using this intuitively for many years before the book, this system actually helped me understand why my methodology worked and I also got to fine tune it a bit. The methodology is based on a simple truth:

When I started creating my own planning system, I had broken down my home management plan into zones and then into tasks, to help focus on my home in a systematic manner. This is still the fundamental aspect of the Home Management Planner 2022.

Since we manage our home as one would manage their business – in fact many of us manage both simultaneously, there are just too many things to remember. We need a plan to get everything done in good time.

Try GTD if you…

• Feel overwhelmed by the amount of things you need to keep track of
• Worry about forgetting small details
• Wear lots of hats in your job and life
• Starts lots of projects but have trouble finishing them
• Have never GTD’d before (everyone should GTD at least once in their lives)

We always have these ideas in mind which seem to occupy our waking memory. We go through a million thoughts and at least 75 thousand things we want to get done. As a result, we spend more time thinking about our tasks than actually doing them. When information piles up in your head, it leads to stress, overwhelm, and uncertainty.

So, write down or “capture” your thoughts. Let’s just say, if you need to declutter your pantry or attend to an important phone call, then instead of trying to remember these things, write them down. You won’t forget and you won’t be distracted.

Once down on paper, clarify the thoughts. If you have written, say declutter pantry, then clarify and expand on this thought. Which aspect of your pantry needs your attention. Break it down to actionable tasks ie. actual things you can do to achieve your goal.

Take a look at all the tasks that you have listed. Organise these tasks. Decide what you want to do, write down dates and times, decide what you want to delegate or contract out. Break tasks into even smaller tasks that you can easily complete.

It is also a good idea to think of systems at this stage. One or more systems that will help you maintain your goal and to ensure you don’t end up at the beginning again! one of those might be an app or just a notebook but what matters is that it is easily accessible and allows for juggling.

Every little while, go through your list. Reflect. With each day, our priorities and needs change, our choices change. So, just juggle projects and tasks around as you see best.

And there you have it. Your tasks are as now listed simply as clean a drawer in the kitchen on Tuesday afternoon or buy my supplies on Friday or make my product over the weekend and these are so easy to manage. So, get on with it! You know exactly what to do and when.

One of main reasons I like this process is because you can jump in at any point and start from there. There are no tools and prerequisites to getting started. Anytime, anywhere.

Give this process a try and I can assure you will not regret it. It may be a bit of an investment of time and energy to get everything out of your brain and into an organised list but it is well worth it as you find you are able to focus instead of trying to remember details.

I am quite sure I will be revisiting this premise often and would LOVE to hear your thoughts on it.