43 Folders

Back to Work

Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.

Join us via RSS, iTunes, or at 5by5.tv.

”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

changes on gtd to prevent burnout

Lately I have begun using a daily to-do list again. I used GTD a lot over the last 1 1/2 years, and it helped me to get a lot of things done, probably too much than I should have. I don't blame this system, but I am suffering from burnout since a few months, and I had to seek professional help. In fact, I still fear that the constant fatigue and depression I experience for some time now might get worse. This was the main reason why I started to think about changing my system.
Now, at the end of each day I write a to-do-list for the next day on the basis of my list of projects/commitments and the next-action-lists I still keep at the moment. The advantage for me is the possibility to draw a line somewhere, to know that even with diminished strength I have done something for my projects. Even more important, I know when the day's work is done (before I am done, too). Actually, it is based on Mark Forsters Idea of the advantages of a closed list, although I still value the complex open "next-action"-lists David Allen suggested, because they help me to collect items for the week. But at the moment, dealing with rapid exhaustion and sudden mood swings downwards, the possibility to draw a line on my daily to-do list helps me a lot to relax.
Another thing that was always hard to accomplish with GTD: Any task that consisted in regular activities. I work as an academic, and I have to write in regular intervals. With a simple daily to-do-list added to my calender, I find it much easier to keep track of the regular tasks as well. Working on the basis of multiple next-action-lists had the disadvantage for me, that it became too easy for me to ignore the regular tasks and enjoy working on little next-actions. And there are always next actions to be done. If you tend to ignore the need for breaks like me, adding a closed list to your system might actually improve focus, plus the benefit to have a clear limit what is for today, and what for tomorrow.
Has anyone experienced similar problems? I am curious, how you deal with regular activities and the challenge to set limits to your workload, as I am still looking for alternative solutions.
Thank you,
Mark

andyc's picture

Lately I have begun using...

Mark77;6690 wrote:
Lately I have begun using a daily to-do list again. I used GTD a lot over the last 1 1/2 years, and it helped me to get a lot of things done, probably too much than I should have.

I think there's a fine line between using GTD to do what you have do to (the happy medium) and using it as either a procrastination tool (at one end) or as a fast track to burnout (at the other extreme).

I spent a hour yesterday turning my job description into a mind map to help me understand it. It wasn't on a NA list anywhere. But there was nothing on my to-do list that I'd promised anyone with a deadline, so I thought it seemed like a worthwhile thing to do - and then let incubate for a day or so before the review.

GTD should be a tool to allow you to control your commitments, not for them to control you. The tag line on the book says "the art of stress-free productivity". If you're burning out, you're doing it wrong - probably in aspects of undertstanding commitments and renegotiating. Go back to basics, and read the book again. And look at your higher levels as well - what's really important to you? Doing all this shit, or having a good life?

Sorry to be so blunt, but I don't do touchy-feely stuff very well.

 
EXPLORE 43Folders THE GOOD STUFF

Popular
Today

Popular
Classics

An Oblique Strategy:
Honor thy error as a hidden intention


STAY IN THE LOOP:

Subscribe with Google Reader

Subscribe on Netvibes

Add to Technorati Favorites

Subscribe on Pageflakes

Add RSS feed

The Podcast Feed

Cranking

Merlin used to crank. He’s not cranking any more.

This is an essay about family, priorities, and Shakey’s Pizza, and it’s probably the best thing he’s written. »

Scared Shitless

Merlin’s scared. You’re scared. Everybody is scared.

This is the video of Merlin’s keynote at Webstock 2011. The one where he cried. You should watch it. »