Andy Cotterill runs a family farm and drainage company with his son, Tim, a student studying agriculture. They discuss their journey of implementing the GTD methodology to balance business and life. Andy shares insights from his experience since 2013, while Tim reveals how GTD helps him manage studies and farm duties. Together, they explore productivity tools like Todoist and Trello, emphasizing the importance of organization and regular reviews. This father-son duo brings warmth and humor to their shared passion for achieving stress-free productivity.
Andy and Tim Cotterill emphasize the importance of community engagement, illustrated by their food bank donation initiative during the lockdown.
The transformative impact of the GTD methodology on their productivity is highlighted, showcasing how it helps manage their professional and personal commitments effectively.
Deep dives
Background and Business Operations
The guests discuss their familial and business background, emphasizing their operations in Sutton Coldfield, UK. Andy, the father, has run an online drainage supply business and civil engineering from a farm for many years, supplementing their farm income by providing drainage services to local farmers. Initially, the business served around 150 local farmers, and through consistent effort, it has now grown to include a diverse clientele of over 10,000 customers, 40% of whom are farmers. This expansion reflects not only the growth of their business but also the increasing demand for their services in civil engineering and related sectors.
Community Contribution During Lockdown
During the recent lockdown, the Cotterills organized a food bank donation initiative, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the local community. They reached out to farmers within a 15-mile radius, encouraging contributions of surplus food that could help those in need. The result was a transit van filled with donations for a local food bank, showcasing the positive impact their business can have beyond just commercial operations. This initiative highlights their values around community engagement and social responsibility, which are integral to their identity as local business owners.
The Use of GTD Methodology
Andy adopted the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology roughly six years ago, seeking a way to manage his increasing responsibilities effectively. His initial disorganized approach evolved from using a simple notebook to discovering GTD’s systematic approach to productivity, which he found transformative. The methodology provided him with a reliable external organization system, helping him track both personal and professional commitments while alleviating stress. He encourages others to give the system time to work, suggesting that it takes years to fully integrate and benefit from its principles.
Technology Integration for Productivity
Both Andy and Tim have tailored their productivity systems around cloud-based tools to implement GTD effectively. They rely on applications such as Todoist for task management and Trello for an overarching view of their projects, enabling seamless organization across different platforms. Tim utilizes Google Calendar for tracking academic deadlines, integrating it into his personal system as he balances university work with responsibilities on the farm. This careful integration of technology reflects their understanding that productivity tools should harmonize with their lifestyle to enhance efficiency and reduce overwhelm.
In this interview, David Allen talks with Andy and Tim Cotterill, a father and son who are both GTD enthusiasts. They run a family farm in the West Midlands of England. They also have a busy drainage and construction company, Cotterill Civils. Tim is also a student. Andy found GTD in 2013 when he was trying to keep pace with his growing business while still spending time with family. Tim started using GTD a couple of years later, when he needed it to manage his student workload. They share about their GTD implementations with warmth and humor.
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