Having just written a post about how to find and fix leaks in your GTD system, I thought it might be interesting to tell you about my biggest leak and to ask you about your biggest leak! This “ask the reader” could even become a weekly feature… I find that I enjoy asking you a direct question to enhance the interactivity of this blog.
My biggest leak
The biggest leaks in my GTD system are undoubtedly in the last two stages of the five-stage method for managing workflow, namely in the Review and Do stages. I will highlight the biggest leak in my system.
Leak in Stage 4 – Reviewing: I review my GTD system frequently. Some lists are reviewed many times during the day. However, I’m having major problems getting the habit of a strict weekly review to stick. I feel I’m reviewing the most important parts of my GTD system regularly enough, but not in a consistent weekly session.
I am trying to fix this by literally blocking time in my calendar on Sunday for my weekly review and using a checklist for all the things I need to review. This includes: project support material, calendar, tickler, all my lists, mail, e-mail, client folders and so on.
I also try to be more critical about what goes on my someday/maybe list and to regularly pull items off this list and make them into real projects.
What is the biggest leak in your GTD system?
If you need help figuring this out, please refer to the list of questions in my previous post. Please leave an honest comment detailing the biggest leak in your GTD system and help us all with your approach on how to fix it!
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Biggest leak is probably my email inbox. I think this is because it bothers me less than my physical inbox since I can ignore it more easily.
I think my biggest leak is skipping over daily planning and just jumping into working. This hurts me because then I don’t have a clear idea of what success will look like for that day. I need to define my day more consistently so that I’ll know when it’s ok to quit for the day. As it is, I work too many hours!!
I share the same problem of not reviewing my pending actions in a scheduled way. I just sort of do it whenever I think about it.
But maybe my biggest leak is worrying about whether or not I’m implementing the system “correctly.” This is a great way to waste your time and Not Get Things Done.
I am in the same leaky boat. My review is what gets me. I often add stuff, but rarely get around to working through the list to figure out a game plan for the day. Another thing is that I have not gotten around to putting EVERYTHING I need to do into my system.
Since it isn’t already here, I’ll throw in mine. My biggest leak is all the things that float through my head while driving. I have a 30-60 minute commute in each direction, during which I often come up with grade ideas / good wording / etc. Unfortunately I haven’t found the best way to capture it. I can’t write (dangerous). I tried a digital voice recorder, but never remember to process it. I’ve left myself voicemails, but that is time consuming to connect and then has a limit to the time I can put into it.
So maybe the REAL answer is that my leak is in processing a digital voice recorder.
I’m reading this late – trying to get back to implementing GTD as life has gotten out of control again. I’ve been looking around for easy ways to get things under control. Thanks for the ideas.
@Rue: Have you tried jott? I just started using it to catch leaks while I’m out and about. You call a specific number (from the phone number registered with Jott) and leave a message. The message is transcribed and shows up in your inbox. You can also jott things to LiveJournal (and a bunch of bloggy sites), 30boxes, Vitalist, ToodleDo, Nozbe, Google calendar and a bunch of other places). If you look on their Jott links page, you can see a complete list. You can also jott to anyone you designate as a contact (it sends them an e-mail or text message). Transcription is pretty good (as long as you had a clear line) and they attach the sound file so that you can hear what you said if they get it wrong and you can’t remember what you meant. I’m still getting the hang of it (I keep calling and then forgetting what I was going to say), but it’s been useful in reducing my stress from random thoughts floating in my head.
@gtdfrk
Thanks for the Excel pocketmod template, by the way. I’m thinking about using it to track my work stuff (I have to keep it separate from personal items).
GT
Hello,
For implementing GTD you might try out my application for time management and productivity,
http://www.gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
Hope you like it.