When I started reading The Art of Getting Things Done, I was skeptical that David Allen could deliver all he promises in the opening sentence: "Welcome to a gold mine of insights into strategies for how to have more energy, be more relaxed, and get a lot more accomplished with much less effort." Throughout the reading, his ideas seem to make sense. He details a systematic method for keeping the mind distraction free. I haven't fully implented his strategies, but have found some useful tips. I especially like the idea of having a system for even the small things. The small things, left undone and unaccounted for, can be as stressful as the big things. In my case, I can often handle the big challenges more easily. Maybe this is because I think that the small challenges shouldn't be difficult at all.
Allen gives many details of how to get your life together, at work and at home. Although his experience is mostly with executives, his techniques can help anyone with a busy schedule. The concluding chapters reiterate his two key focus points: outcomes and actions. I see these as two sides of the same coin. The desired outcome determines your actions. Actions move you toward your goal. This is certainly true in my experience teaching piano.
I am inspired to try more of the suggestions in this book in order to "get things done" with less effort and stress.
Monday, February 14, 2011
What's the next action?
Next action thinking produces clarity, accountability, productivity, and empowerment.
Clarity-what exactly needs to be DONE
Accountability-who is going to do it?
Productivity-results from being more task oriented
Empowerment-increase in ability to make things happen results in improved self-esteem and outlook
Next action thinking undermines the victim mentality. It presupposes the possibility of change and the ability to make it happen. This reminds me of the serenity prayer:
Lord give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Focus on what can be done and decide what doesn't need to be done, then let it go. The reason Allen advocates collecting everything is because not everything is equally important. No matter how big or small your "to-dos" are, if they are not collected they exert the same kind of pressure and occupy the same attention. This is exhausting! What if there was an audible: pick up the dry cleaning, get the oil changed, pick up the dry cleaning, get the oil changed........This is exactly what Allen calls the open loop. It is in the brain, even if only subconsciously, unless it is in a trusted system. I resisted lists for a long time before coming to the realization that they can reduce my stress. I still have a long way to go before completing the "system" but have hope for a more organized future!
Clarity-what exactly needs to be DONE
Accountability-who is going to do it?
Productivity-results from being more task oriented
Empowerment-increase in ability to make things happen results in improved self-esteem and outlook
Next action thinking undermines the victim mentality. It presupposes the possibility of change and the ability to make it happen. This reminds me of the serenity prayer:
Lord give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Focus on what can be done and decide what doesn't need to be done, then let it go. The reason Allen advocates collecting everything is because not everything is equally important. No matter how big or small your "to-dos" are, if they are not collected they exert the same kind of pressure and occupy the same attention. This is exhausting! What if there was an audible: pick up the dry cleaning, get the oil changed, pick up the dry cleaning, get the oil changed........This is exactly what Allen calls the open loop. It is in the brain, even if only subconsciously, unless it is in a trusted system. I resisted lists for a long time before coming to the realization that they can reduce my stress. I still have a long way to go before completing the "system" but have hope for a more organized future!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Getting Things Done 4
The weekly review is key to the success of this system. We (I) often often get caught up in the immediate demands of the day, so it is essential to have this built in time to reevaluate priorities. The weekly review consists of whatever is needed to "get your head empty." This is a good time to reconsider things from the aviation point of view. Is this a task that is on the runway, or needs immediate attention? Is it part of my life purpose (50,000 feet)? Or somewhere in between?
"The savvy senior executive knows the value of sacrificing the seemingly urgent for the truly important."
I will try to think of this as I go through a day of "urgent" demands.
"The savvy senior executive knows the value of sacrificing the seemingly urgent for the truly important."
I will try to think of this as I go through a day of "urgent" demands.
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