Getting things done on the web

This week I've been implementing (again) the system from Getting Things Done by David Allen. I bought the book and used it when it first came out in 2001, but I guess I'm not a poster child for the program since I start from scratch with it every 4 to 12 months. On the other hand, I always have some aspect of the system working and I keep coming back to it--which is definitely a ringing endorsement.

The last time I checked the web for ideas and encouragement about GTD (as Getting Things Done is known among its friends), there was very little available except for David Allen's website and forums (which, at that time, could be read in an hour or two). Recently, however, GTD has swept the web, including the blogosphere:

• 43 Folders (a reference to the Tickler File) is a blog by Merlin Mann. He is a self-described nerd who delights in sharing how GTD applies to the lives of those of us who are tied to our computers.


• One GTD variation going around the web has its own name and subculture. It's called the the PigPog Method. I was confused the first few times I encountered the term (I don't remember this in the book!?).


• Douglas Johnston, who writes the blog a million monkeys typing, created a set of GTD-compatible templates to print and put in an organizer.


• And my favorite web discovery about GTD...a photo essay on flickr about how one person implemented GTD with index cards and envelopes.

My new implementation is a low-tech paper-based version in a three-ring binder. I want to incorporate hand-drawn mind maps into the system and this seemed the easiest way. I likely will opt for a PDA-based system when I'm working for a living again. But, as a student, almost everything I get done happens at my desk so it works for me to sacrifice portability for creativity.     #

June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007