How David Allen Gets Things Done

A tour of David Allen's office (author of Getting Things Done), going through his systems and how he practices what he preaches.
Part of the You 2.0 Podcast series, a documentary on lifehacking.
www.lifehacking...

[@nysrcnc]

Transforming my brain from messy to David's GTD really is like training for a blackbelt. It seems so simple at first but has taken me years of pain. And then this three minute summary just pulls so much of it together. It has transformed my life so that I can reach my goals without wasted time and stress.

[@iangrant3615]

In 2021, it's fascinating to see that although the principles and system remains bulletproof, today's technology means all of this paper filing system would exist in digital software applications and systems rather than in physical form (for most people).

[@bztree80]

00:10 totally unload briefcase every time I come back. 00:30 capture tool - David Allen note wallet 00:40 in basket 00:50 blank paper and pens 01:10 capture tool - voice recorder 01:26 inbox zeroed out daily 01:44 portable inbox (red folder) 02:00 read and review pile 02:07 tickler file 02:27 Current project folders 02:35 system folders

[@jinraigami3349]

thanks

[@brendalg4]

Some stuff I didn't pick up on without your list... Thank you! I realized the briefcase is actually several different things... Capture, system, etc. such as if you are going to have a meeting with James and you are going to put his system folder in your briefcase. I remember from when I originally read the book that everything goes in the Inbox. Notice how he literally puts the voice recorder in the Inbox. I remember the book said to write each thing you needed to do on a separate sheet of paper and put it in the inbox. He took a page off the notepad and put it in there. Blank paper and pens are also capture... But how to keep track of so many different things? I don't think there is anything that can be cut out though. Inbox zeroed out daily doesn't necessarily mean you do every item. You put it where you will be reminded to do it later. I love the portable inbox idea... Never thought of it like that. The briefcase could also be seen as a portable inbox... But you might not want to carry it around all the time. I wonder if there is an updated version of this video because maybe he uses electronic tools now.

[@PaulGarthAviation]

LOL. I bought that printer for DA. What's funny, as I look at my desk, my vertical folders are all labeled with similar contexts. Now, as a Social Worker Case Manager, this systematic approach is a must. Posted in 2024.

[@software-sage]

I’ve been doing what David Allen has been preaching using just my phone. I use the reminders app to write down actionable tasks and notes to jot down notes.

[@megdmwick120]

One of the best systemic approaches ever!

[@ProfileboosterAustralia]

David Allen's principles are very effective. I've used many of them but the way he uses folders for me has worked well and getting everything out of your head on to a sheet of paper is great too.

[@GuerrillaSauce]

I always had this problem too. My work would often come out 'half-baked' because I would constantly come up with a 'better' idea (or spend too long looking for a better idea that may not have come) but never have enough time to complete it. What I was told back then is what I say to myself when I start to think about something too much: "a good idea today is better than a great idea tomorrow". Find something that works. Utilise it. Move on to the next problem.

[@hassansamir3836]

That office desk setup is a great setup for working at. Ive seen numerous videos on KZbin people posting flasb home office videos bit most of them are mot working offices they are just games and entertainment setups. This is a great place to get work done and he has all correct tools at hand. Great.

[@sNczpJU84ypaLc58aQAf]

The eastern genre music near the end (3:10) sounds like conveying a message, perhaps it is like having a last laugh on how David Allen manages whole GTD stuff just on paper/folders and by organizing it meticulously without going digital.

[@Rettequetette]

@richardcadbury Thank you so much for recommending The Now Habit. I had never heard of it - and it hasn't been translated in Dutch yet. I ordered the audio book; I'm only half way through now but I already think it might just save my life... GTD is also on the shelf, but I'll first learn how to get rid of my procrastination habit :-) Just wanted to say thank you :-)

[@AngieMtinyfruitlover]

Very very useful video, I have heard Getting things done audio version, I just wanted to see exactly what his tools are, thanks!

[@ahill4642]

nice and simple and tidy ☺️ love it

[@Tweezer215]

@awgondzur I agree. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was surprised by how ordinary it all looked. Kind of like my stuff. That's encouraging...

[@FrancescoK]

I already do GTD, but one thing I'll totally steal from this setup is the travel folder... :)

[@jamessteven5628]

"One of the fastest ways to get out of control..."

[@brendalg4]

It helps to see a working system vs just reafing about it. Is there an updated video?

[@skaterdude14b]

This is like the meme of all the physical devices a smartphone is

[@razvanrogozb2b]

I've found the best GTD tool to be a BlackBerry with the right application. Set your app (for example, Viira) on the hot button and you can capture with ease. Then you can go through each task and assign it to the right context and project. I've tried pen & paper, dedicated computer apps, pieces of paper, paper notepad and a lot more. But the best usability came from a mobile phone - especially when it comes with a full qwerty keyboard.

[@moi379]

update please 🤗

[@brendalg4]

It would be cool to know what you are doing now. I looked up Viira. It said it is an Outlook add in for GTD. My OS is too new for it. But I am guessing the same thing could be done with Gmail and labels

[@wendileona]

@raymondu99 The Palm Treo David's using is a great capture tool. There is a 3rd party voice recorder app that allows a side button to large capacity card. I think it comes with Notes app (or you can beam it over) so you can use the pen to write notes, it has a camera for pix/video which you can capture info in that manner. Plus built in Tasks where you can setup categories as contexts + a 3rd party app Projects. But you may need to be flexible to move on to other tools, GTD is the foundation.

[@translipcorsia]

Toss this video in the "Productivity porn & procrastination fuel" basket.

[@jogsingumboots]

I tried to go digital, even bought a PDA, but found that good old pen and paper works best for me. Our uni does a great diary that includes a 'Brain RAM dump place'.

[@moi379]

same

[@Telzon]

It is so easy to get out of control with information, especially these days, that it often clutters your workspace and computer, even with everyday information. This I think is almost a perfect way to organize all your tasks because, even at 23, and how tech and computer savvy I am, technology sometimes can over complicate things. Sometimes the best ways, are non "tech" ways. Pen and Paper = Best Note Taking Device, Ever. Because it doesn't require batteries =)

[@brendalg4]

Also, studies show that we remember things better that we physically write down

[@dzamir]

Now i have lot of idea for my desk!! Good video! I love the gtd book! :)

[@mikemix77]

I get the sense that he doesn't really like showing us his home office.

[@xjungfreud]

His voice reminds me a little of tom brokaw

[@alpenjon]

Well, I think it might be because he's explained his whole system thousands of times.

[@redlightmax]

@Stahlross Yes, his approach seems like overkill to me. I think plenty of people would use this as an excuse to put off doing anything. "I can't work on that project now, I'm trying to update my GTD system."

[@raymondu99]

You could map it to just a one button click though.

[@razanats]

Does anyone know what watch David Allen is wearing on this clip? Thank you

[@KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb]

too cnfusing, i am.not able to apply GTD, help.please

[@tariqjuneja]

"There are demons that hide things in the smallest places no matter what" Where can i get the file metal thing he has his projects files on?

[@raymondu99]

I wonder why he doesn't use his PDA as a capture tool... I mean, it would have a voice recorder, notes application, should be a great capture tool, no?

[@moi379]

things get forgotten in there and then the phone dies

[@gregtaddeo3846]

where do you get the hanging file folders with fas tabs?? economically, only 2 tabs, on the left and middle 3 and 5

[@Flyrev]

The Davidco website.

[@kitapozetleri6306]

can i see the alpha filing system? i will do the same, but i do not know how

[@mehardin]

Label your file folder to identify the contents. Order your file folders alphabetically by the labels. In David's case, the A's start after the 43 folders tickler system.

[@clcradio]

How does that correlate? It doesnt. His "simple" but effective desk roves how good GTD can be.

[@awgondzur]

I am amazed at how spartan and dungeonesque his office looks. I imagined much more CEO-like largess, considering he must be a multimillionaire by now. This looks to me like he is working in his closet. I am dumbstruck. Love GTD, btw.

[@servaaslabs]

David and I use the same printer. Nice!

[@ThomasIkemann]

Matt S David and I use the same headset :D

[@PaulGarthAviation]

Thank you. I bought it for him thru CDW.

[@servaaslabs]

@@PaulGarthAviation and now 7 years later I still use the same printer, lol. mostly because it's fast! :-) and GDT has made a profound difference in my life in that time frame.

[@KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb]

it is not enough. there shouls be more clues, i am trying to set up the same gtd system, but the info given above is not enough

[@theadventureagency531]

This is just a highlight - you should probably read his book for a thorough breakdown

[@KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb]

thank you for the reply. This is the third time that i am reading GTD. Yeah it is like too many things that you can do to set up the system, that what it makes it confusing. anyways, thank you

[@leoncm100]

He looks totally fed up to me

[@TigerNgtMare]

Very smart owl....

[@bladeswelove]

@tariqjuneja Walmart...8 bucks

[@J90JAM]

Is the book worth getting?

[@Cristian-rj6zw]

El weon ordenado, la cagó.

[@clcradio]

That's not true at all, not even hugs corps are doing that, you are talking pipe dreams. As you heard him say, most of what is in his Alpha file system are brochures, things he needs day to day, and if you read just the 1st chapter of his book, you would knlw that his files would be down to zero by the year end, and then he starts over.

[@yaguang]

He doesn't seem to enthusiastic showing his work space...