Ep. 323: Horizontal and Vertical Control

35 snips

Aug 13, 2025

Explore the intriguing balance of horizontal and vertical control in productivity. Discover how horizontal control helps maintain coherence across various projects while vertical control sharpens focus on individual tasks. Learn effective organization techniques for project and action lists, and navigate the distractions of daily life with structured task management approaches. Gain insights into advancing projects with precise next actions and uncover how engaging with the community can transform your understanding and application of productivity principles.

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INSIGHT

What Horizontal Thinking Is

Horizontal thinking assesses and manages items across equal levels like projects, calls, or areas of focus.
It gives you an overview so you can shift attention quickly across many commitments.

ANECDOTE

Participants Had Project Lists Ready

Webinar participants reported wide ranges of project counts, showing many people keep active project lists.
John Forrester noted that having a project list already puts attendees ahead of most people.

ADVICE

Use Natural Planning When Needed

Use the Natural Planning Model when you need to think a project through from purpose to next actions.
Reserve formal natural planning for projects that require deeper clarity or collaboration.

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You need to control commitments, projects, and actions in two ways--horizontally and vertically. Horizontal control maintains coherence across all the activities in which you are involved. Vertical control, in contrast, manages thinking, development, and coordination of individual topics and projects. In this webinar recording, Ana Maria Gonzalez talks about the relationship between these two levels of control and how you can leverage them both for your productivity.

This audio is one of many available at GTD Connect, a learning space and community hub for all things GTD. Join GTD practitioners from around the world in learning, sharing, and developing the skills for stress-free productivity.

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