In this engaging discussion, Emily, a dedicated advocate for Getting Things Done (GTD), shares her inspiring journey from discovering GTD to supporting her colleagues in implementing its best practices. David Allen, the esteemed author, reflects on their memorable presentation in Boston. They dive into the evolution of productivity methods, especially the transition from paper to digital tools like OmniFocus. The conversation also humorously explores the nuances of managing productivity within relationships and balancing the demands of personal and professional life.
Emily's journey with GTD transformed her organizational strategies, providing control in a busy life that included her PhD and full-time work.
By integrating GTD principles into her team's culture, Emily fosters a supportive environment that encourages flexible commitment tracking and collaboration.
Deep dives
The Journey to GTD
The speaker reflects on their journey to discovering the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology during a busy period in their life, which included pursuing a PhD while managing a new home and full-time work. Initially introduced to GTD through a simplified version of the book assigned by their dissertation advisor, they found the concepts transformative. The immediate impact led to an overhaul of their organizational strategies using basic paper systems, which ultimately provided a sense of control in their fast-paced life. This newfound system became so valuable that the speaker humorously shared concerns about its safety during emergencies.
The Influence of David Allen
The speaker recounts the experience of inviting David Allen, the creator of GTD, to be a keynote speaker at a professional conference, an initiative they undertook with a colleague. The acceptance of their invitation was an exciting moment, which resulted in productive discussions, personal interactions, and learning opportunities with Allen. Upon his arrival, attendees were very receptive to his teachings, as his insights on cognitive psychology resonated well with their professional backgrounds in behavior analysis. This experience solidified the speaker's commitment to implementing GTD principles in both their work and personal life.
Adapting GTD in the Workplace
As the director of the Early Intervention Division, the speaker has integrated GTD principles into their team's culture without mandating specific tools, encouraging a flexible approach to commitment tracking. By modeling GTD behaviors and actively engaging with staff on their organizational systems, they create an environment where team members feel supported in their productivity. They conduct regular check-ins to understand colleagues' confidence levels in their list management tools, assisting in tailoring discussions to their specific needs. This collective approach fosters a sense of community where everyone collaboratively reinforces effective organizational habits.
Shared Systems and Personal Adaptations
The speaker shares how they and their husband have adapted GTD concepts into their personal life, even if he does not explicitly identify with the methodology. They established a weekly 'business meeting' over wine to address shared responsibilities, which helps maintain a clear boundary between discussions on work and their personal relationship. Through this shared Google Note system, they can offload daily tasks while focusing on enjoying their time together. This approach emphasizes the importance of creating structures that facilitate communication and collaboration, allowing both partners to function effectively in their respective systems.
Who knew that reading Getting Things Done would lead Emily to driving David Allen around Boston? After setting up and using her own system, she invited David to speak about GTD at her organization. That was a few years ago, and she's been encouraging colleagues to build in the GTD best practices ever since. You'll hear Emily describe her first system, and how she uses the app that she has been on in recent years. She's an inspiring example of productive work-life balance.
You can watch the entire conversation from March 2024 at GTD Connect®.
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