Well, some people consider it a cult. Today I joined the vast group of people who are Getting Things Done (or GTD for those who are really “with it”). I’d heard a lot about GTD through various blogs and decided to check it out, so I bought the book. It seems like something that will actually work, so I blocked out today to “implement” the system.
For those who are unfamiliar with GTD, it is a “groundbreaking work-life management system” (see here for some more info). Today I spent pretty much every minute from 10:30-5:00 getting my office set up for GTD. I threw away a whole trunk load of junk that had been fermenting in my office. I filed away things that had been in my stack-o-stuff for over a year. I tried to give everything a “place.” I’m not completely done yet; I ran out of time today. I’ll probably go up to church early before dodgeball tomorrow night to finish it off.
It’s only been one full day, and I have already noticed a difference. One of the main rules in the system is if you come across an “actionable” item and you can do whatever action it requires in under two minutes, do it. After doing this all day and getting it ingrained in my brain, I started doing it at home. I didn’t feel like grabbing that one extra bag out of my car that I needed to, but then I thought, “geez, that will take like 30 seconds.” Now I don’t have to get that bag out of my car anymore. See, isn’t that amazing? What a system.
For now I am only using the system for work, but I can see myself eventually using it at home. We’ll see how this goes. If I am still chugging along and GTD in two weeks, I’ll write an in-depth blog post about how this system helps me to stay organized and how I’ve adapted this in my job as a youth minister. Exciting, isn’t it?
Add to Google Reader
Welcome to the cult…
… now repeat after me, inbox zero, inbox zero, inbox zero.
Well I’m certainly excited about your GTD post. I need to be better about GTDing. Seriously.
Welcome to the party! Feel free to contact me if you need any assistance, or check out some of the other resources at The Ultimate Index, which is where I got started earlier this year.
http://gtd.marvelz.com/blog/gtd-index
Good luck and keep crankin’ those widgets!
Welcome then
I’ve been the GTD fan from the very beggining. Then I’ve modified it, cause you need to go with the progressive humanity, you know. I figured web 2.0 tools, like Wrike http://www.wrike.com, which I use for GTD might be helpful. I was more than right 
New blog Matt!
I have also joined that cult – I love having an empty inbox! I wish they would have taught it as a course my freshman year of college.
Interesting to hear a youth pastor implement this. Our family ministries pastor is severely overwhelmed and overcommitted – wonder if it would help him?
[...] Things Done Update Posted on November 13, 2007 by Matt It’s been almost a month since I’ve started Getting Things Done (GTD). I must say, the results haven’t been [...]
[...] It’s been almost a month since I’ve started Getting Things Done (GTD). I must say, the results haven’t been mind-blowing, because I wasn’t too horribly disorganized, but there are a few things that are great: [...]
Re: BlogRush
Well, as far as cults go, you could do much worse.
Russ:)