43 Folders

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

Hello

Hi everyone,

I'm a complete GTD newbie and hope the system will help me to juggle multiple responsibilities more efficiently, so that I still have time to play. I'm a new PhD who is trying to get out of that post-dissertation-slump and find ways to balance teaching, writing, and life.

GTD-wise, I'm still at the experimental stage where I jump at each new tool I discover (ie I haven't found my trusted system yet). I just started using TaskToy the other day and so far I like it.

Quick question: when you started using GTD, how long did it take you to take care of the incredible backlog of stuff? At the moment, I find the sheer amount of backlog really daunting...

thanks,
Momo

franacropan's picture

Quick question: when you started...

Momo wrote:
Quick question: when you started using GTD, how long did it take you to take care of the incredible backlog of stuff? At the moment, I find the sheer amount of backlog really daunting...

thanks,
Momo

I found that implementing GTD at work could be done in bursts of a few hours here and there. At home though, where it was most needed, it seemed overwhelming. I collected all my "in" into two washing up bowls as they were larger than any baskets I had, and they were overflowing. They sat for ages because I decided I wanted to do it all at once and was waiting for a block of time and a few days ago I felt I had re-read the book so often it was in my very pores and I got stuck in. It took 10 hours! but it was some of the most satisfying work I have done. Now I at least I know exactly what I COULD be doing if I choose to.;) The amazing thing, to me, was that my lists are no where near as long as I thought they were going to be. Looking at the bowls I envisaged a long and daunting project list but most of it was actually next actioned or filed as reference.I was so inspired I even blasted through a couple of projects over the weekend. If I could pat myself on the back I would. :)

 
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