Volker's Blurb » getting things done

Seminar GTD (Getting Things Done) by David Allen

Volker — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 06:05:39 +0000

Hello, good morning.

Early for a Saturday, but my head is spinning full of ideas. Why? I went to David Allen’s seminar “Getting Things Done”. Wow!

I wrote about it before.

David is an inspirational speaker and trainer. After reading his book I noticed that I have put 80% into practise and that I need another 20% to achieve excellence. I now know how – I just need to do it. How does it stick, how do you motivate yourself, and, how do you not lose that motivation.

Latter will be key, but is key to anything. Stopping smoking or starting to play Golf.

What is so good about GTD?

David developed his system over 25 years. Looking at it, it is simple. Baby Steps. All he does is breaking down purpose in live (50,000 feet), vision (40,000 feet), goals (30,000 feet), Area of Focus (20,000 feet), Projects (10,000 feet) into direct ACTIONS that then need tasking. And, he developed a great way of tasking in various categories, e.g. home, office, plane, calls etc.

The powerful way of combining control with perspective. Motivation with Coaching. Without trying to simplify, but there is the coaching aspect of setting goals and visions and breaking them down into steps/actions. There is the NLP component to motivate, organise and re-focus/re-frame actions. Also, you find the “normal” time management component of having the yearly, monthly, daily, hourly view of things.

So, could anyone have come up with the system? I think so. Sorry, David, that is not meant disrespectful. I guess I was too late to develop my personal system into a GTD and as a second to market it would not wor k Why should I anyway, I rather support yours!

David Allen is a great speaker, a great leader and inspiration of setting up your own system using the right tools. And, there are still the 20% I need to improve my system with. 20% is a lot! And, with things getting busier around business, I need to have this extra edge to free up more time to pursue my visions.

So, not only congratulations to David on inventing a system that works but also to teach it the way he does. I have a lot of respect for you!

Thanks

Volker

PS: if you have not read his book, you find it here.

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Circumstances – getting things done!

Volker — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:20:21 +0000

People always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them. – George Bernard Shaw

This morning I finished GETTING THINGS DONE by David Allen. The above is a quote from his book. I must say, this book should be compulsory for everyone working. Full stop. Not only Managers, MDs – no everyone. Buy it directly at Amazon!

It shows the right way and attitude on how to be organised, efficient and effective. No more time wasting unless you have too much spare time on you hands And, you will – compared to your current status. You will love this book and the techniques shown.

Also, there are Seminars in London:

Two different seminars are being presented.

The first, GTD Mastering Work Flow, presented on October 23, offers greater focus on actual implementation of the GTD methodology. This seminar is very tactically oriented – how to get quick control using the fundamental thinking process and the five phases of work flow mastery. Led by senior David Allen company consultants, this seminar will provide insights and guidelines for implementation of tools and techniques in your daily workflow. Learn more about this seminar series here.

The second seminar, GTD The Roadmap, is a one day event led by David Allen, on October 24, to introduce you to Getting Things Done concepts and principles. GTD The RoadMap offers a higher level, more theoretical overview of the GTD concepts. The seminar will focus on the whole picture of the self-consulting process, including prioritizing from multiple horizons, applying the core productivity principles, and making change stick, also offering the opportunity to see David Allen live. You can learn more about the GTD The Roadmap seminar series here.

Enjoy. Volker!

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getting things done – still going strong

Volker — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:07:37 +0000

In MT, Management Today, I read an article about how to stay focused:

Staying Focused

It quotes Allen from my earlier entries on how to get things done. Thought you might be interested in reading it.

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are you off your head?

Volker — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:47:37 +0000

Allen, author from “Getting things done” ( see earlier post) mentions in his book that things clutter your mind, your “RAM” so to speak. E.g. if you start thinking about things and the thoughts clutter your mind, you cannot focus on the task you are aiming to do.

Therefore, he suggests to get it out off your head. I said that a few years ago (when I was in primary school): every night when I could not sleep and all sort of thoughts kept me awake, I got a pen and paper and placed it next to my bed. I wrote on it all kind of things that went through my head. If I woke up at 4 am and had a thought, that is where it went. I decluttered my brain, my RAM.

And, it helps to do that in your daily work life. You write your ACTIONS down, not your thoughts. Your actions have to form some kind of to-do list that you then can transform into “products” or “results”. Or, have 2 lists, one for Actions and one for random thoughts – depends on the industry.

I keep you posted.

Have a lovely day, sunny here in London.

Volker

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Getting Things done

Volker — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:19:49 +0000

I notice that more and more people contact me about what I write here. So I would encourage you all to leave a comment too and of course, please link to my site.

Getting Things done is the title of a new book I started reading this week.

getting things done

I have read many management books and many time management books. cb consulting offers time management seminars also. So there are really two reasons for me reading this book.

a) David Allen suggests that the old time management techniques like A/B/C prioritising and planning methods are a little out of date. Therefore for me offering trainings I like to offer the most valid way of an effective time management training.

b) as part of my “new life” I need to find a way to deal with hundreds of emails, unexpected work loads, processing information and Getting Things Done! So ultimately it offers me hands-on support in my daily job. Whilst job is defined as any kind of work you carry out, e.g. DIY, gardening etc. (definition by Allen).

I try to keep you up to speed whilst I read this book. Most interesting in the beginning is the theory of the pebble you throw into a pond. It will form some ripples but then it eases out and the pond is still again. That is how you should be able to deal with your work load in order to not stress.

I keep you posted.

Volker

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