Center for Project Innovation’s Post

Getting Things Done by David Allen - BOOK REVIEW from Scott Kinder, CEO. (Continued from previous post) 4: REFLECT. A massive element within the GTD methodology is the built-in reminder to look back through your system. GTD reminds you to use this time to update progress within projects, edit items and deliverables, and (most importantly) "regain control and focus." 5: ENGAGE. Most people love GTD because it allows them to focus on the right things at the right time and with the right energy. I've incorporated this step into my work week and intentionally spend 3 hours each Friday free of meetings and dedicated to reviewing all my tasks and projects (AND SYSTEMS). Information flows at us through dozens of communication pathways daily. I get messages on LinkedIn, Emails, text messages, Signal messages, calendar invites, MS Teams, Notion, Basecamp, and more DAILY. However, I mentioned two aspects of GTD that I love. Most people gloss over the second, which can damage their sanity. I'm speaking of The Horizon Levels David Allen brings into the book. LEVEL 1: THE RUNWAY. These are the things you need to get done TODAY. Urgent items that you must do. LEVEL 2: PROJECTS. GTD defines a project as "a series of next actions that produce something in the real world." LEVEL 3: AREAS OF FOCUS/RESPONSIBILITY. Things we do out of COMMITMENTS we make. LEVEL 4: VISION. Your ideas for where you want to be. LEVEL 5: Purpose and Core Value. These are your DREAMS and BIG PICTURE items (think: retirement, getting out of debt, owning a business, etc). These 5 Horizon Levels are simple and straightforward, yet people always mess them up. For example: If you are an executive in an organization and spend all your time working on small items, you are living in Horizon Level 1 out of comfort. I'd challenge you to be at Horizon Level 3, but comfort and complacency keep you in Horizon Level 1. If you are in charge of setting the VISION for the organization (LEVEL 4) and spend all your time on Levels 1 and 2, do you think you are earning your paycheck? GTD is a fantastic tool for keeping you on track and allowing you to work in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. If you find yourself working on the wrong thing at the wrong time, check it out. #GettingThingsDone #ProjectManagement #BookReview #Productivity

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