What is gtd?

Getting Things Done (GTD) Explained

Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity methodology that emphasizes a stress-free, organized system for managing tasks and commitments. Created by David Allen, the system aims to get everything out of your head and into a trusted system, allowing for clearer thinking and greater focus.

At its core, GTD relies on five key stages:

1. Capture: Gather all your "stuff" – tasks, ideas, projects, anything that occupies your mind – into inboxes. Think of this as a mental "brain dump." More information about it can be found here: Capture

2. Clarify: Process each item in your inbox. Ask yourself questions to determine what it is, if it's actionable, and what the next step should be. This stage involves defining projects (outcomes requiring multiple steps) and actionable tasks. Learn more about it here: Projects

3. Organize: Place the clarified items into the appropriate organizational buckets. These can include:

   • Next Actions: The very next physical, visible action required to move something forward. This information about it can be found here: Next%20Actions
   • Projects: As mentioned above, outcomes requiring multiple steps. You can read more about this here: Projects
   • Waiting For: Items you've delegated or are waiting on from someone else. Here is more information about it: Waiting%20For
   • Someday/Maybe: Ideas or projects you're not ready to commit to now but want to revisit later. You can read more about this here: Someday/Maybe
   • Reference Materials: Non-actionable information you might need in the future.

4. Reflect: Regularly review your system to ensure it's up-to-date and aligned with your goals. This includes weekly reviews, project reviews, and more. More information about it can be found here: Weekly%20Reviews

5. Engage: Make choices about what to do in the moment, trusting that you've made the best decision based on your context, time, energy, and priority.

GTD promotes a state of "mind like water," allowing you to react appropriately and effectively to whatever comes your way without being overwhelmed. It emphasizes clarity, control, and focus to achieve greater productivity and reduce stress.