Spring Cleaning #28

Getting it Done is great from loading up that bucket to acting on your bucket and getting those things out of the bucket. I particularly like the process part that says do one item at a time unless new comes your way that will take less than two minutes.

However, that bucket keeps getting filled up with new more pressing items that take more than two minutes, despite all your good intentions at the beginning of the day. GTD doesn't address managing priorities and monkey wrenches being thrown in. Being flexible also plays a part in getting things done. Responding to the unexpected in a calm, collected way and not being too rigid to keep to your TO DO list.

In Zen Habits disconnecting is mentioned. This is difficult to do when you are serving your internal and external customers. I can't imagine checking your email only twice a day. I did like the part about the inbox. I do have numerous folders in my email and file or delete items weekly, even sometimes as I check them if I know it's a keeper I don't need to review anytime soon or a delete email.

REVIEW in GTD is something I do need reminding of. Those things on your TO DO list can get lost in the shuffle and unless your list is viewed, there's no need to have a to do list. I am not a write it now kind of person and usually juggle in my head, not a very reliable source. Keeping a list or calendar is something I force myself to do.

I do write appointments down on the desk calendar and have only recently begun keeping a calendar in Outlook. I did try the Google calendar and Remember the Milk with items. I didn't like Remember the Milk with only Today, Tomorrow and Overdue. For the long range I like the Outlook and Google. Having to check when I bought refreshments in 2005 would have been easier had I used the Outlook Calendar then. This prompted me to be more diligent to note appointments on the Calendar.

This is Postits signing off with one less thing on my GTD list!