Description
Business. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:The book Lifehack calls "The Bible of business and personal productivity." "A completely revised and updated edition of the blockbuster bestseller from 'the personal productivity guru'"�??Fast Company Since it was first published almost fifteen years ago, David Allen�??s Getting Things Done has become one of the most influential business books of its era, and the ultimate book on personal organization. �??GTD�?� is now shorthand for an entire way of approaching professional and personal tasks, and has spawned an entire culture of websites, organizational tools, seminars, and offshoots. Allen has rewritten the book from start to finish, tweaking his classic text with important perspectives on the new workplace, and adding material that will make the book fresh and relevant for years to come. This new edition of Getting Things Done will be welcomed not only by its hundreds of thousands of existing fans but also by a whole new generation eager to adopt its proven… (more)
Publication
Penguin Books (2002), Edition: Reprint, 288 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member chennaidoc
By far the best of a rather overcrowded genre. It is intensely practical and free of any implied moral prescriptions. It could be used to run a saintly organisation or a crime syndicate. Anyone who has put the book to use - and it can be done from the word go - will continue with the practice for
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ever. Show Less
LibraryThing member 30oddyearsofzan
All I will say is this. I read this book and for the third week in a row I'm actually able to see the floor in my bedroom. It's quite disconcerting, after three decades of hopeless disorganisation. DA, I think you may be my hero.
LibraryThing member adamallen
Getting Things Done is a great book for getting organized at home and work in such a way that will assist you in being more productive. I'd never read a book on organization skills and was skeptical before I began. Because of that skepticism, I thought I'd try the audiobook. I listened to the
I've read from reviews (Amazon and others) that this is one of the best books on organization and productivity. I can certainly say that it goes well beyond the common “To Do List” and A/B/C prioritization. Honestly, on first read, the system seems pretty darn complicated. However, with a little effort, it's actually fairly simple. I've implemented the system both at home and work. I'm a couple of weeks into it and I'm very pleased with the results. I also bought Mr. Allen's “GTD with Outlook” paper (from his website) as a supplement. It's also quite good.
Highly recommended.
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audiobook in one day on a business trip and was so impressed that I bought the book to get the full story (the audiobook was abridged). I also bought a copy for someone at work who desperately needs it.I've read from reviews (Amazon and others) that this is one of the best books on organization and productivity. I can certainly say that it goes well beyond the common “To Do List” and A/B/C prioritization. Honestly, on first read, the system seems pretty darn complicated. However, with a little effort, it's actually fairly simple. I've implemented the system both at home and work. I'm a couple of weeks into it and I'm very pleased with the results. I also bought Mr. Allen's “GTD with Outlook” paper (from his website) as a supplement. It's also quite good.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member hprather
Strange in book in that I gained so much in reading it, yet really already knew/know what I SHOULD be doing.
What GTD does when you read it as a whole is see why the whole process is so important to actually getting things done.
This is probably the book I feel best about having spent time reading
What GTD does when you read it as a whole is see why the whole process is so important to actually getting things done.
This is probably the book I feel best about having spent time reading
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over the past 2 years. It will probably be referenced continually as I work on my system. That is the beauty of GTD is applying a simple yet tried and true way to a system that you can work best in applying. Show Less
LibraryThing member apartmentcarpet
David Allen's method for getting things done requires LOTS of lists. Lists of lists and more lists and very intricate systems of where to put your lists and what to put on your lists and a flowchart to decide what to do next. I know a lot of people swear by his method, but just reading about it
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caused my stress level to skyrocket. Show Less
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
I have read quite a bit about GTD online, and I decided to read the original book, to get a firm grasp on this productivity methodology.
But I found that I've already encountered most for he topics in my online reading. While is was interesting to read some examples about clients that Dave Allen
But - if you are starting out fresh, and this is your first encounter with the world of GTD, then this is a solid introduction, and a nice foundation to understand before modifying the system to meet your own needs.
But I found that I've already encountered most for he topics in my online reading. While is was interesting to read some examples about clients that Dave Allen
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worked with in establishing their productivity systems, I didn't get much added insight. But - if you are starting out fresh, and this is your first encounter with the world of GTD, then this is a solid introduction, and a nice foundation to understand before modifying the system to meet your own needs.
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LibraryThing member tjtist11
Allen gives you the key for closing those little loose ends that your brain naturally gets stressed about, then you can clean the decks and set your coarse for those stalled projects or long range goals that you can really get excited about.
LibraryThing member esquetee
A lot of the recommendations are common sense, but it's nice to have them laid out in a bullet list all the same. I think about half of his suggestions would actually apply to my workflow, but those suggestions are very helpful. This book is easy to speed-read - just skip over all the anecdotes and
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repetition; focus on the headings, lists, and diagrams and you'll get the gist. Show Less
LibraryThing member bren
One of the most re-read books in my library. I read at least selected sections of this book, if not the whole thing, a few times a year. I return to it when I sense my personal organization faltering, or when I need a little extra motivation.
LibraryThing member topologyrob
The best book I've yet seen in the entire field of self help. Properly applied, this book will revolutionise almost anybody's life, allowing freedom from daily stress and great creativity to emerge. The power is in the algorithmic model, that allows habit-building to take place naturally and
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extraordinarily effectively. It definitely works for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member bexaplex
GTD is a self-help book: a dash of fact, plenty of anecdotes, and a healthy amount of repetition. Part of me wants to be skeptical. But the other part is so grateful for this book and how it seems to crop up when I need it most, that the skepticism takes a back seat.
LibraryThing member eichin
Sure, it's widely hyped, and there's lots of fad material in this space. For me, the truly important thing was that it wasn't about having lists of what you could maybe do any time you got around to it - but having lists of things you can't or won't do *right now* and can put them *out of sight*
Not that the rest of the book is a waste - good details about systems you can actually use, and workflows, and mechanical details. The "don't look until later" concept is a wonderful way to stop drowning in the wrong details.
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(and out of mind, thus reducing useless stress) because you've got someplace or some system that you *trust* not to lose them.Not that the rest of the book is a waste - good details about systems you can actually use, and workflows, and mechanical details. The "don't look until later" concept is a wonderful way to stop drowning in the wrong details.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
If nothing else it made me think about how I do things and how I might make things work better. While I mightn't agree with all his methods, it does make sense to have a method to deal with things and make sure that you have a plan in place for dealing with the various things that arrive on your
I plan to make re-reading it an occasional thing.
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plate both at home and in work, though the emphasis is really on work.I plan to make re-reading it an occasional thing.
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LibraryThing member JechtShot
As far as personal productivity management books go, this one is a keeper. David Allen's "Getting Things Done" method is extremely intuitive and simple. The central concept is to constantly purge your mind of all your open actions to ensure that you are not only getting things done, but that you
If you are looking for a productivity management solution to get your life in order give this book a shot.
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are keenly aware of what you are not getting done. I have started using this method at work and find that I am getting better at delivering on my commitments and have a much better grasp on all of my open actions. Another central theme of Mr. Allen's is: if something can be done in 2 minutes or less, do it. Ignore priority thinking and get the action off your list.If you are looking for a productivity management solution to get your life in order give this book a shot.
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LibraryThing member StephenBarkley
I’m not big on business books self-help books. Business books often leave me numbed by repetitive illustrations that make the same brilliant point too many times. Self-help books, on the other hand, often seem aimed at losers.
Now that that disclaimer’s out of the way, let me say this: Getting
As Allen himself emphasizes, his method is largely common sense that is frequently ignored. The idea is this: if you collect everything in life, process it regularly, and act on it, then you will have far less stress and be able to work creatively. Gone is that nagging voice in my mind that always suggests I look after something else instead of what I’m currently doing.
If you could use some personal organizational skills, give this book a try. It could save your sanity!
Now that that disclaimer’s out of the way, let me say this: Getting
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Things Done is revolutionizing my organizational skills. Having recently taken on the Senior Pastorate of a church, I quickly realized my need for a more comprehensive organization system. Allen had the answer that worked for me.As Allen himself emphasizes, his method is largely common sense that is frequently ignored. The idea is this: if you collect everything in life, process it regularly, and act on it, then you will have far less stress and be able to work creatively. Gone is that nagging voice in my mind that always suggests I look after something else instead of what I’m currently doing.
If you could use some personal organizational skills, give this book a try. It could save your sanity!
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LibraryThing member elmyra
Will this book change your life? Maybe. I know a couple of people who've tried to implement it and lapsed back into preGTD mode. Having said that, I find some of it hugely useful and inspiring, and may give some bits a go.
Some of the writing is irritating (I'm allergic to the word psyche), and some
Bechdel/diversity: This is an interesting one. I was tempted to do a "not applicable to non-fiction" cop-out. But he tris so hard, bless him, to use "she" and "her" more than "he" and "him". It actually gets to the point where it feels fake - there just *aren't* that many female top executives out there. I've seen the stats. It's very much a baby boomer and possibly Gen X book. It describes a world of work which will increasingly change. All the talk of offices and secretaries and paper in-trays already reads like an anachronism - it may still apply to your typical male baby boomer top executive but not to the world of work at large.
Still, powerful book.
Some of the writing is irritating (I'm allergic to the word psyche), and some
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what he says is blindingly obvious and I've be implementing it since I was 5. Seriously, is there anyone still out there who doesn't have pens and paper next to their phone? It also does contain the best variant on the "action as a verb" game I've come across so far - actionalize. ;-)Bechdel/diversity: This is an interesting one. I was tempted to do a "not applicable to non-fiction" cop-out. But he tris so hard, bless him, to use "she" and "her" more than "he" and "him". It actually gets to the point where it feels fake - there just *aren't* that many female top executives out there. I've seen the stats. It's very much a baby boomer and possibly Gen X book. It describes a world of work which will increasingly change. All the talk of offices and secretaries and paper in-trays already reads like an anachronism - it may still apply to your typical male baby boomer top executive but not to the world of work at large.
Still, powerful book.
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LibraryThing member Miche11e
On one hand this is just another productivity book. You alreay know a lot of what it's going to tell you; write things down, prioritize your work, do/defer/delegate, schedule time to do things, discipline yourself to stay in control of your work. But there's a couple of things I like about this
1. You need to control all your life, not just your work life or your home life. This book recommends a system that doesn't separate home from work. Everything goes on the same "to do" list. The highest priority on the "to do" list get's done first - and that might be take the day off and go to the beach with your child.
2. You don't dilute the urgency of your "to do" list with items that you haven't a hope of accomplishing in the near future. The "to do" list is referred to as the "next action" list. All you need to worry about is the next action. You keep a separate "someday/maybe" list for those longer term things.
3. For better efficiency, he suggests subdividing the next action list into the context/location where the next action is done. For example my list has, at work desk, around site, discuss (face-to-face meetings), call (nb calling can be done from multiple locations), at home desk, around home, errands around town, errands in civilization etc.
4. I've always used his prioritization system. The next action is selected considering the required context/location of the work, the time available, the energy you have available and its priority.
The book has a lot of the same ideas as the Steven Covey books, but doesn't use the "spiritual" category. It's up to you to define your "projects". Just make sure you make of list of them!
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book that is different.1. You need to control all your life, not just your work life or your home life. This book recommends a system that doesn't separate home from work. Everything goes on the same "to do" list. The highest priority on the "to do" list get's done first - and that might be take the day off and go to the beach with your child.
2. You don't dilute the urgency of your "to do" list with items that you haven't a hope of accomplishing in the near future. The "to do" list is referred to as the "next action" list. All you need to worry about is the next action. You keep a separate "someday/maybe" list for those longer term things.
3. For better efficiency, he suggests subdividing the next action list into the context/location where the next action is done. For example my list has, at work desk, around site, discuss (face-to-face meetings), call (nb calling can be done from multiple locations), at home desk, around home, errands around town, errands in civilization etc.
4. I've always used his prioritization system. The next action is selected considering the required context/location of the work, the time available, the energy you have available and its priority.
The book has a lot of the same ideas as the Steven Covey books, but doesn't use the "spiritual" category. It's up to you to define your "projects". Just make sure you make of list of them!
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LibraryThing member FoundationalWellness
A godsend. I'm inspired.
A friend mentioned this book to me when I was complaining about my general inability to remember things, explaining that memory is not the best use of the brain anyway. I wasn't sure what he was talking about, and he didn't elaborate much, but I was inspired to investigate
So this book represents my LibraryThing kickoff as a new convert to the joys of tracking. I'm beginning to implement a number of GTD systems, mostly electronic but with a subset of paper components, and do in fact feel much lighter and optimistic about my personal and professional organization. I recommend pairing it with Mark Hurst's "Bit Literacy" for a full overhaul of your e-world that is simple, elastic, and intuitive. And hopefully maintainable. I'll try to remember to let you know.
A friend mentioned this book to me when I was complaining about my general inability to remember things, explaining that memory is not the best use of the brain anyway. I wasn't sure what he was talking about, and he didn't elaborate much, but I was inspired to investigate
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this book (and information-packed website). The book is a delight to read. DA comes across as a guy you'd like to know rather than a mere font of information. His methodology seems grounded in a particular life philosophy that made utter sense to me, and apparently many others.So this book represents my LibraryThing kickoff as a new convert to the joys of tracking. I'm beginning to implement a number of GTD systems, mostly electronic but with a subset of paper components, and do in fact feel much lighter and optimistic about my personal and professional organization. I recommend pairing it with Mark Hurst's "Bit Literacy" for a full overhaul of your e-world that is simple, elastic, and intuitive. And hopefully maintainable. I'll try to remember to let you know.
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LibraryThing member cmc
The organization book for the tech community, or at least that’s the way it seems these days.
Starts out kind of general and obvious, but gets more exciting once he gets down to talking about the actual hands-on methods.
Starts out kind of general and obvious, but gets more exciting once he gets down to talking about the actual hands-on methods.
LibraryThing member wenestvedt
Since I read this I have been trying to force myself to make lists, follow them, and execute things promptly. I have certainly improved, but I fear I'll never be in the David Allen Nirvana until I perform his "clean sweep" exercise -- and there's no way I'll ever do that.
I find this collection of
I find this collection of
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advice on organization valuable, and I like to complement it by visiting Merlin Mann's website 43folders.com. Show Less
LibraryThing member johnrad
My favorite time management/organization book. Core message is that you need to manage your "stuff", and you do that by taking actions based on what is possible at the moment. Spawned an incredible movement (especially on the Internet)
LibraryThing member tjbond
A really great self-help book, one of the best I've read.
I read this because the is a lot of hype and a pretty large following to the GTD (Getting Things Done) methodoloy on the web. It was so good, I worked on implementing a system. I think I may need to buy the book and read it again, my system
I read this because the is a lot of hype and a pretty large following to the GTD (Getting Things Done) methodoloy on the web. It was so good, I worked on implementing a system. I think I may need to buy the book and read it again, my system
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needs to be re-invigorated. Show Less
LibraryThing member Aesthene
Although David Allen brings out some good ideas for organization and productivity, by the time I might employ all of his methods, I would likely be quite elderly and stressed out because I wasn't able to execute all of the organization methods before my next action was scheduled to occur.
The
The
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audio is worth a listen to gather and implement SOME of the ideas found here. Show Less
LibraryThing member mazirian
At best this book should be an essay or a blog post, but instead the author has taken a concept that takes a few pages to explain and painfully bloated it to a size that made it feasible to publish in paper.
LibraryThing member bob3000
Sucks. Get excited, to-do lists will change your life! Ha. No meat.
Media reviews
It is simply the best personal productivity book I’ve ever read, and there’s material in this book that can apply to anyone’s life, whether you’re a manager or a writer or a professional or a stay-at-home parent.
ISBN
0142000280 / 9780142000281