Have you ever noticed that somethings things don’t get done? I know, this is a “Duh” insight. The amount of things that don’t get done can seem larger than what actually gets done. When you look closely, there is often a simple reason why some things that should get done don’t get done. David Allen addresses this topic in a recent blog entry:
“I have noticed a tendency for people to spend a lot of time in high-energy meetings and discussions, and a high resistance at the end of those meetings and discussions to clarify—“Do I have the next action on this, or do you?” or “Whose is this now, to make happen?”
“This lack of declaring an owner for the action, outcome, or area of focus is why at home many couples and families have huge stacks of papers and “stuff” on the counter between the kitchen and the dining room, by the phone, and in the front hall, and why a lot of personal projects are “stuck.” No in-trays. No immediate physical, visible distinction as to who actually has the next action or decision about this bill, this brochure, this note from the teacher. Everybody sort of feels responsible for it, but no one really owns it. So it doesn’t happen.”
Read the rest of this blog entry at the Getting Things Done web site.
Dan Ariely
Email provides for many people their most difficult productivity challenge. The sheer volume of messages can overwhelm an inefficient processing system very quickly. While some people may be tempted to declare email bankruptcy and delete all their messages, there are better ways to process all that incoming electronic data. One approach that is based in part on GTD methodology is Inbox Zero, developed by Michael Mann and found on his web site 
As we approach the end of the year regular work flow often slows down as colleagues take vacation for the holidays. For me, I have found this to be an ideal time to tidy up by purging my paper files.
Years ago I was a certified yoga teacher in the Kripalu tradition. I was drawn to yoga as a way to find centering, peace, and health in my life. Perhaps one of the reasons that GTD has always connected for me is that it takes the ancient wisdom from the mountaintop and brings it straight to the modern office. I recently came across this great quote from a Raja Yoga school of wisdom that clearly demonstrates the reason why it is important to get things out of your head and to bring them to completion in a timely manner.
“People started keeping calendars a century ago. Why? Because life’s time-based commitments got more complex than they could trust their mind to manage. If you think that a Projects list is unnecessary, then throw away your calendar and trust life will just let you know what you should be doing, in the moment. Good luck. If you decide you need a calendar, then keep a list of your projects you’re committed to completing, as well as appointments to keep. Otherwise you’re intellectually dishonest.”
