Checklist on monitor shows GDT method
Are you one of those people who make a to-do list in the morning and have checked off every item by the time the sun goes down?
Or are you one of those people who would love to be that kind of person, but still find yourself at the end of most days with a handful of half-finished projects, missed deadlines and unanswered emails?
Let's be honest: We all want to be part of the first group, but for most of us it is anything but easy.
This is where self-management methods such as the GTD (Getting Things Done) method come into play.
Experience has shown that some people are skeptical about GTD: The method seems quite complex at first glance and nobody wants to spend more time on time management than on actually getting things done. In fact, GTD is not about using the most sophisticated organizational system possible. It's about having the right tools and using them effectively. After all, the motto is "get things done" and not "get things planned"!
Nonetheless, you need a functioning system to get things done successfully in your work and private life. For anyone who works in project management or even just occasionally takes on tasks in this area, organizational talent and time management skills are absolutely essential.
After all, how can you lead a team if you don’t already have your own priorities and schedules in mind?
Despite all of this, it's not very productive to try out thousands of software tools that claim to increase productivity or to manage projects using five different smartphone apps. That's why this article introduces five proven productivity tools that can be used immediately with the Getting Things Done method.
What is the GTD method?
In case you are not familiar with the GTD methodology, here is a brief summary. You can also find more detailed articles on GTD on Capterra .
“Getting Things Done” is a productivity method based on the book of the same name (German title: “How I get things done. Self-management for everyday life” ) by David Allen.
The book was first published in 2001 and since then the “Getting Things Done” movement has developed into a global phenomenon: There are GTD trainers and this year there was even a global GTD Summit in Amsterdam.
The GTD method can be summarized as follows: the more productive you are, the less stress you will have.
In other words, get more done in less time so you can relax longer.
Allen's principle works like this: First, you record all pending tasks in an unorganized list or folder (digital or on paper) called an inbox. Then, the tasks are systematically organized and prioritized so that you can concentrate fully on the current task. Future and unfinished tasks are placed in an orderly queue and are only presented again when it is their turn.
inbox
trash can
filing system for reference materials
lists
calendar
In 2001, these tools were still physical/tangible, and people used denmark telegram data paper calendars and folders or filing folders. Now, almost twenty years later, all of this can easily be replaced by suitable smartphone apps.
Of course, the calendar in book form and the to-do list in a beautiful notebook are far from extinct and remain the preferred method of organization for many.
However, a lot has happened technologically in recent years and apps are becoming an increasingly popular alternative.
Not only do you usually have your smartphone with you anyway, but many GTD apps also have features that the good old notebook simply cannot offer. For example, functions for automation or team collaboration can increase productivity and save companies time and money.
5 GTD apps for stress-free time management
We focused on the five most important GTD tools – inbox, filing system, checklist or to-do list and calendar – and selected five tools that cover all steps of the GTD method.
When making the selection, I also read some GTD forums to find out what GTD users themselves use and recommend. The five tools listed in this article were mentioned again and again. Some of them are only available for iOS, others can be used across platforms.