Tim Ferriss Show: #384: David Allen — The Art of Getting Things Done (GTD)

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways The series of steps David recommends for improving productivity:Step 1 | Capture – Get everything in your brain out onto a blank page (this is most important)“Your mind is made for having ideas, not for holding ideas“Step 2 | Clarify and Organize – For reach item, ask: “Is it actionable?”If no – Trash itIf yes – Decide on the next actionDavid calls these “next action decisions.” Each answers the question – “Where physically are you going to go and what are you go to do to move the needle on X?”Step 3 | Reflect – Schedule time to reflect on the above, preferably weeklyThe Hierarchy of Priorities (use this hierarchy to decide which actions are most important):What is your life purpose? What’s the vision of your purpose being fulfilled successfully? (What do you want your life look like 5 years from now?)Goals and Objectives | If you want your vision to come true, what do you need to accomplish over the next 3-24 months?What’s important for you to maintain for you to achieve your vision? (Ex. – Your health, relationships, etc.)What are all the things you need to finish related to any of the above projects? (Ex. – Buying cat food, ordering something off Amazon, etc.)What actions do you need to do to move any of the above projects forward? (Ex. – Sending an email or talking to a colleague)LET GO – Control is the master addiction

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"Your head's for having ideas, not for holding them." — David Allen

David Allen (@gtdguy) is one of the world's most influential thinkers on productivity, and his 35 years of experience as a management consultant and executive coach have earned him the titles of "personal productivity guru" by Fast Company, one of America's top five executive coaches by Forbes, and among The American Management Association's top 10 business leaders.

David's bestselling book, the groundbreaking Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, has been published in thirty languages, and the "GTD" methodology it describes has become a global phenomenon, being taught by training companies in 60 countries. David, his company, and his partners are dedicated to teaching people how to stay relaxed and productive in our fast-paced world.

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