Did you know the secret to getting things done is to do actions that get things done?

I know that sounds like a big “duh”, but in honesty people frequently get hung up on their next move. Even if they have defined their work, decided on next actions, and have their lists available, picking the precise thing to do in any given moment can still trip up overthinkers. Thankfully, David Allen has thought through the process of engagement, which is the fifth stage of the GTD workflow process. On his website he shared tips to help decide which action to do next.

When it’s time to Engage, people often ask how to choose from what may be long lists of tasks to do. That’s when it’s helpful to use the criteria for choosing:

Context – What place, tool, or person will the action require? This is the first limitation for choosing–it has to be. If you’re not in the right place, don’t have the right tool, or access to the required person, you can’t take the action.

Time available – How much time do you have to take the action? If you have 20 minutes, only consider actions that you think will take less than 20 minutes.

Resources – What is your energy like to take the action? Have you been in back-to-back meetings all day and you’re tired? Or are you just finishing your morning coffee and feeling alert and enthusiastic? You’re probably already considering this more than you realize when you choose what to do.

Priorities – What’s the most important one to choose based on your roles, goals, long-term strategy, and purpose?

David then goes to share how to use the Horizons of Focus to narrow down your priorities along with a description of the three-fold nature of work. What to learn more? Click over to the Getting Things Done website to find out!