Ep. 226: Software Journey

8 snips

Sep 28, 2023

Eric Mack, Chief Technology Officer at David Allen Company and an expert in e-productivity software, shares insights on the evolution of productivity tools. He, along with David Allen and John Forrister, discusses the transition from Lotus Notes to Microsoft 365 and how each tool shapes productivity habits. They emphasize that it's more about your mindset than the tools themselves. Key topics include the importance of communication efficiency, the limits of technology in team dynamics, and strategies for mastering email clarity.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Early Lotus Notes Use

In the mid-90s, David Allen Company used Lotus Notes because of its unique ability to create custom applications.
This allowed for workflow integration and information sharing beyond email, tasks, and calendar.

ANECDOTE

e-Productivity Development

Eric Mack developed a Lotus Notes application called e-productivity, closely aligned with GTD methodology.
Many adopted it due to its GTD integration, using it for years.

INSIGHT

Tools as Support

The speakers' software journey emphasizes that tools should support intentions, not dictate work processes.
Choosing tools and methods depends on the task.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

David Allen, Eric Mack, and John Forrister discuss their software journey, from early years to their current use of the Microsoft 365 suite of tools. A consistent theme is that it's not about the tool, but about bringing a productive mindset and habits to any tool. They discuss how the tools shape our behavior, and may or may not promote good GTD habits. The story starts in the mid-1990s with Lotus Notes. They talk about why Notes, and also why Microsoft 365 now. There are interesting tangents into groupware, CRMs, and instant messaging.

Be sure to listen after David hops off, as Eric and John continue discussing for another few minutes, and invite your input on future topics.

You can listen to the entire conversation from November 2021 at GTD Connect®.

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.

Knowing how to get the right things done is a key to success. It’s easy to get distracted and overwhelmed. Stay focused and increase productivity with GTD Connect—a subscription-based online learning center from the David Allen Company. GTD Connect gives you access to a wealth of multimedia content designed to help you stay on track and deepen your awareness of principles you can also learn in GTD courses, coaching, and by reading the Getting Things Done book. You’ll also get the support and encouragement of a thriving global community of people you won’t find anywhere else.

If you already know you’d like to join, click here to choose from monthly or annual options.

If you’d like to try GTD Connect free for 14 days, read on for what’s included and how to get your free trial.

During your 14-day free trial, you will have access to:

Recorded webinars with David Allen & the certified coaches and trainers on a wide range of productivity topics
GTD Getting Started & Refresher Series to reinforce the fundamentals you may have learned in a GTD course, coaching, or book
Extensive audio, video, and document library
Slice of GTD Life series to see how others are making GTD stick
David Allen’s exclusive interviews with people in his network all over the world
Lively members-only discussion forums sharing ideas, tips, and tricks

Note: GTD Connect is designed to reinforce your learning, and we also recommend that you take a course, get individual coaching, or read the Getting Things Done book.

Ready to start your free trial?