The brain is used to create ideas, not to remember.

The brain thinks about ideas, but it doesn't remember them.

-David Allen, author of Getting Things Done.

When it comes to time management, we have to say David Allen's best-selling book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity, and GTD's time management method is the abbreviation of Getting Things Done. Its main principle is to free the to-do list in your mind and record it elsewhere. The advantage of doing this is to free your brain and concentrate on what you are doing.

What is GTD?

Simply put, GTD is divided into five steps:

There are five steps: collecting, processing, organizing, reviewing and doing. Here is a brief introduction to these five steps. Here, everyone has their own unique time management methods. You can choose the method that suits you, not necessarily 100%. ?

1. The first is collection: that is, list all the unfinished things you can think of (called things in GTD) and put them in an inbox. This inbox can be used as a notebook to record all kinds of matters, and can also be used as various list apps on the market. The key to this step is to take everything out of your head and record all your work instead of thinking in your head all the time, just like David's famous saying, "Your mind is used to have ideas, not to hold them."

2. Processing means that after things are put into the inbox, they need to be processed regularly or irregularly to empty the inbox. These things are distinguished according to whether they can be put into action. Those that cannot be put into action can be further divided into garbage, which may need to be disposed of in the future. See Resources. For those who can act, consider whether they can be completed within 2 minutes. If they can, they can finish it at once. If not, they can organize the next operation.

3. Organization: Personal perception organization is the core step of GTD, which is mainly divided into reference organization and next action organization. The organization of reference materials is mainly a document management system, and the organization of the next action can generally be divided into: next action list, waiting list and future/someday list. The next step list is the specific next step. If a project involves multi-step work, it needs to be refined into specific work.

The biggest difference between GTD's handling of the next list and the general to-do list is that it has been further refined, such as recording the actions that can only be done in these places according to the location (computer, office, telephone, home, supermarket). When you arrive at these places, you can know what you should do at a glance. The waiting list mainly records the work entrusted to others. The future/one-day list records future plans, emails, etc. These projects have been postponed with no specific completion date.

4. Review: For most people, the magic of workflow management method is reflected in the continuous review of the past. By looking back, you make sure that there is nothing in your mind, and all the trivial things have been collected and sorted out these days.

Review is also an important step in GTD. Review your lists often and erase them from your mind. Generally, you need to review and check every week. By reviewing and checking all your lists and updating them, you can ensure the operation of GTD system, and you may need to make plans for the coming week.

5. Action: Different from the common method of dividing action items according to urgency and importance, David put forward four criteria for determining action items: choose the items on the list according to environment, time, energy and importance to act.

The first point: environment, many things need to be done in designated places (such as supermarkets) and equipment (such as computers);

The second point: time, this needs no explanation. If you have to go to the meeting in five minutes, many time-consuming and lasting things can't be solved now.

The third point: energy, how much energy do you have? Some things need you to be energetic, innovative and creative, such as writing a product operation plan and a new semester activity plan; Others have higher physical requirements, such as climbing mountains and taking care of children; Some things are not too demanding of both;

The fourth point: importance, if the first three criteria determine what we can do, then the fourth point determines the significance of what we do. For example, the same behavior of brushing friends circle, some people think that this matter can let them know the latest developments of friends and customers, so as to facilitate the next meeting and chat; For others, it's a complete waste of time. Everyone has a different understanding of important events. Find out what you think is most important and can bring you meaning.

Is it very simple to make a diagram of the above GTD core content, as shown below? What you can do depends on your practice. In addition, when you do your own time management, you don't have to stick to the form. The best time management method is actually your own exclusive time management method.

Extended reading:

1. [America] David Allen. (2003). Just do it: the art of stress-free work. CITIC Publishing House.

2.？ https://hamberg.no/gtd？