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The Missing Link in GTD

So last week, I was determined to get into GTD, got my tickler file, my index, my next action lists....and it didn't work out.

I had started composing a post to this board a few days ago, but found the post sufficiently dumb and myself sufficiently vented and relieved after writing it, that I decided not to finish.

My problem was just that everything in my inbox seemed unactionable, something that seemed unique to my situation as a high school student.

Then I started listening to the book all over again (audio book thingy I got a long time ago), and I realized the piece that I was missing was the "project materials".

Like I picked up a chemistry worksheet the other day. I knew I couldn't do it right then and there, it didn't make sense to "file", or put in the tickler, and certainly I could say "what is it" and write down the appropriate action on my next actions list, but what the hell do I do with it after that? I've got it on the list, but it's still in front of me.

Now I realized that everything has to have an organized place. So I'm getting binders or containers for all my projects that don't already have them. Right now, I just carry around a chemistry book, the independent study workbook, and my notes, so obviously i'll have to bundle those together somehow, and have a folder for current work. It seems like an incredibly basic idea, but it eluded me for so long.

My "line cook" system I'm abandoning, unless I try the thing mentioned in the "would you like fries" thread (some of the other printable ceo stuff looks real slick). I didn't like all that stuff hanging over my head, though, literally.

Did anyone else have this kind of problem?

pooks's picture

nuttdan, you're a high school...

nuttdan, you're a high school student? Congrats -- I wish I'd understood my need for help and organization when I was in high school!

I think mcnicks has a great idea -- tell us about the chemistry worksheet, and let us have fun reliving our high school days by coming up with a variety of next actions.

I'll go first, just off the top of my head.

Three possibly next actions:

1. It's due on May 8 and I don't have time (or don't want) to work on it yet, so I'll file it in "6" so it will be waiting for me to work on it Saturday.

2. I can't work on it now because I don't have my chemistry book. Next Action: Bring chemistry book home from school tonight. (Alternate similar Next Action, if this weren't already May 5, ahem, put "bring chemistry book home" on a sheet of paper in "5" so that I'll remember to bring book home so I can do the work on the 6th -- see above.)

3. I did the last chemistry worksheet and shared it with Jake, now it's his turn to do this one. (What, me cheat?) Next Action: Call Jake and threaten him if he doesn't get it done by a certain date. File to pop back up that day so I can follow up with Jake if I have to, hopefully still having time to do it myself is the jerk doesn't pull his weight.

Next?

 
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