As a GTD practitioner of many decades (and probably not neurodivergent), GTD is a system that has helped me reduce the cognitive load where I worry I’ve dropped an important ball and break big undefinable projects into small discrete steps. It has also allowed me to be more discerning about my available energy and interest to let things go. Life keeps coming and developing a GTD system or practice was one of the best things I did with my 30s. This player will keep playing!
I think GTD is a double-edged sword for sure. But I like how my mind is free and clear when I write everything down. I don't necessarily have to do everything on my list--that's where the the Someday Maybe pile and the Weekly Review comes in. But the peace that I don't have to carry all the things that I want/need to do in my head is definitely worth it. I think, at a higher level, it's about being able to see everything you need to do from a bird's eye POV, which then allows you to prioritize based on where you want to be in X years. Honestly, having everything that you have on your plate in front of you in that so-called "trusted system" just affords so much clarity, I'd still recommend GTD just for that purpose alone.
I think GTD for me lands like so many things in my life - the dose makes the poison.
I love reading, and find it incredibly valuable. But if I'm reading 12 hours a day for multiple days on end I'm definitely hiding from something.
Same with video games - a few sessions a week is great. Entire days (or nights) is unhealthy for me.
Same applies for the GTD framework. Incredibly valuable system that allows me to free my mind and not constantly forget things that I want to work on. I would never put it down. BUT, if I'm living a existence dedicated to constantly churning through every task put in front of me, I'm again probably avoiding something, and using productivity as a method of numbing myself, or avoiding what I need to actually be looking at in my life.
I love the metaphor of a game that cannot be won. I often think of the Richard Carlson quote, “recognize that when you die, your in-basket won’t be empty.” At the same time, GTD itself has helped me put useful boundaries within my work so that I can manage it better.
But it does not solve the problem of healthy boundaries between work and the rest of life, or relying on “winning” for my self-worth, or getting stuck in the future instead of the present. That’s a much harder game, and maybe not totally winnable, but way more satisfying when I have small victories!
The only thing I will say is that GTD is where you start to form your ideas of productivity and then adjusting them to meet your own needs because not everyone is doing the same thing. Modeling is fine, getting stuck in the ways is not.
I absolutely loved reading this! I never thought of GTD as a tower defense game, but oh my gosh does that resonate. I truly appreciate the comment to pay attention to what you finish, not what's left to be done. As an adult with ADHD, I will often finish my day and see plenty on my list that I didn't do. It was only when I adopted the practice of reflecting on what I DID do (regardless if it was on my to do list or not) that I noticed I actually get quite a bit of shit done! Thanks for the read!
I'm really happy I read this today. I feel like I've been on the productivity hamster wheel recently and it's been making me miserable. I've lost the plot. This was a well-needed reality check!
I just finished the draft of my AI hyperbole article for a news publication I’ve never worked with before. I’m nervous about the response, but I’m gonna temper that feeling with celebrating the fact that I got it done!
Worked for a boss once with an MBA. She prioritized completed projects and multitasking. I got good at both. Early burnout n much unhappiness was my reward. Barely had time to focus on the wins. One Saturday night I was recounting my completed errands. I was surprised to hear myself say “returned library books to blockbuster.” Wait, what?!? Yes. And to make it worse the next day was Easter Sunday. On Monday I was no less embarrassed by a kind employee who said it happens all the time and they hold library books for three weeks as a matter of policy.
Just mentioning blockbuster makes me feel old. I don’t subscribe to Netflix or other platforms so I’m in the 1% who believe that dismantling the blockbuster dynasty was a premature and grievous error.
I think you missed that you are in control. GTD is a framework that helps you set limits and decide what is important to you and celebrate the wins. When the "stuff" arrives it’s up to the user to decide whether the item is something they plan to do something about right now. If yes fine you add it to your lists. But if the answer is no, people seem to always forget that the first place to try to put that thing is the trash.
IOW you are in charge and you have to set the limits of what you will and won’t do. You may get successful and efficient in doing your 9-5 work that’s great but you don’t have to say yes to everything, even if the boss asks. Instead you explain that you do not plan to work for 60-80 hours a week and this is what you are already doing and if that thing has to be done then this thing will need to be eliminated. It’s harsh but people allow themselves to get over booked.
I would argue that life is a tower defense game. We will not live forever so it’s up to us what to do and IMO GTD is the best framework for deciding that.
That is such a good comparison. I used to really love Tower defense games actually 😅 but I can really relate to that feeling of thinking you have to finish everything and get the list down to zero. The list is never down to zero...
Thank goodness it's not just me!! And, for CPJC there, yep, I can tell you're 'probably not neurodivergent'. And I'm genuinely so happy for you that GTD is working for you! But can you imagine trying, and trying, and trying, and getting burned out, and then going back and trying again on something that just leaves you feeling like you will never, ever, ever be competent? Trust me, I wanted GTD to be the solution, but I failed on the first step - you know, the one where you're asked to writer down all the things you could possibly have on your list? Well, that was 3 years ago and I'm still listing ... What I know about many of these systems is that when you have very limited focus and capacity, you end up prioritizing the most important things (that keep you and your family alive and safe and under a roof) and give up the things that bring joy, that keep you sane, that allow you to function effectively (I remember sleep ...). For all my fellow Star Trek nerds, it's a Kobayashi Maru ... an unwinnable scenario. And, if you remember, Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru by, yep, cheating. Or 'changing the paradigm' if you like. Or 'being a disruptor' or whatever the current buzzwords are. The point is ... he had to learn to let go of the rules. I wish I had a profound cheat code for this, but I think it starts with acknowledging that different brains need different systems. And while I'm deeply suspicious of the personalities heading up the current 'brain pal' development - I WILL be first in line. External brain - sign me up! Except - I manage to be the external brain for my family members, and a fair chunk of my clients. So what stops me being that for myself? And if I knew THAT, I suspect I'd be a millionaire.
As a GTD practitioner of many decades (and probably not neurodivergent), GTD is a system that has helped me reduce the cognitive load where I worry I’ve dropped an important ball and break big undefinable projects into small discrete steps. It has also allowed me to be more discerning about my available energy and interest to let things go. Life keeps coming and developing a GTD system or practice was one of the best things I did with my 30s. This player will keep playing!
I think GTD is a double-edged sword for sure. But I like how my mind is free and clear when I write everything down. I don't necessarily have to do everything on my list--that's where the the Someday Maybe pile and the Weekly Review comes in. But the peace that I don't have to carry all the things that I want/need to do in my head is definitely worth it. I think, at a higher level, it's about being able to see everything you need to do from a bird's eye POV, which then allows you to prioritize based on where you want to be in X years. Honestly, having everything that you have on your plate in front of you in that so-called "trusted system" just affords so much clarity, I'd still recommend GTD just for that purpose alone.
I think GTD for me lands like so many things in my life - the dose makes the poison.
I love reading, and find it incredibly valuable. But if I'm reading 12 hours a day for multiple days on end I'm definitely hiding from something.
Same with video games - a few sessions a week is great. Entire days (or nights) is unhealthy for me.
Same applies for the GTD framework. Incredibly valuable system that allows me to free my mind and not constantly forget things that I want to work on. I would never put it down. BUT, if I'm living a existence dedicated to constantly churning through every task put in front of me, I'm again probably avoiding something, and using productivity as a method of numbing myself, or avoiding what I need to actually be looking at in my life.
So true.
I love the metaphor of a game that cannot be won. I often think of the Richard Carlson quote, “recognize that when you die, your in-basket won’t be empty.” At the same time, GTD itself has helped me put useful boundaries within my work so that I can manage it better.
But it does not solve the problem of healthy boundaries between work and the rest of life, or relying on “winning” for my self-worth, or getting stuck in the future instead of the present. That’s a much harder game, and maybe not totally winnable, but way more satisfying when I have small victories!
The only thing I will say is that GTD is where you start to form your ideas of productivity and then adjusting them to meet your own needs because not everyone is doing the same thing. Modeling is fine, getting stuck in the ways is not.
I absolutely loved reading this! I never thought of GTD as a tower defense game, but oh my gosh does that resonate. I truly appreciate the comment to pay attention to what you finish, not what's left to be done. As an adult with ADHD, I will often finish my day and see plenty on my list that I didn't do. It was only when I adopted the practice of reflecting on what I DID do (regardless if it was on my to do list or not) that I noticed I actually get quite a bit of shit done! Thanks for the read!
I'm really happy I read this today. I feel like I've been on the productivity hamster wheel recently and it's been making me miserable. I've lost the plot. This was a well-needed reality check!
I just finished the draft of my AI hyperbole article for a news publication I’ve never worked with before. I’m nervous about the response, but I’m gonna temper that feeling with celebrating the fact that I got it done!
🙌
Worked for a boss once with an MBA. She prioritized completed projects and multitasking. I got good at both. Early burnout n much unhappiness was my reward. Barely had time to focus on the wins. One Saturday night I was recounting my completed errands. I was surprised to hear myself say “returned library books to blockbuster.” Wait, what?!? Yes. And to make it worse the next day was Easter Sunday. On Monday I was no less embarrassed by a kind employee who said it happens all the time and they hold library books for three weeks as a matter of policy.
There’s something poetic in returning books to Blockbuster. <3
Just mentioning blockbuster makes me feel old. I don’t subscribe to Netflix or other platforms so I’m in the 1% who believe that dismantling the blockbuster dynasty was a premature and grievous error.
I have all the streaming services and still think that. But I used to work at movie rental shops and am nostalgic for it. :)
Just like Quentin Tarantino.
I think you missed that you are in control. GTD is a framework that helps you set limits and decide what is important to you and celebrate the wins. When the "stuff" arrives it’s up to the user to decide whether the item is something they plan to do something about right now. If yes fine you add it to your lists. But if the answer is no, people seem to always forget that the first place to try to put that thing is the trash.
IOW you are in charge and you have to set the limits of what you will and won’t do. You may get successful and efficient in doing your 9-5 work that’s great but you don’t have to say yes to everything, even if the boss asks. Instead you explain that you do not plan to work for 60-80 hours a week and this is what you are already doing and if that thing has to be done then this thing will need to be eliminated. It’s harsh but people allow themselves to get over booked.
I would argue that life is a tower defense game. We will not live forever so it’s up to us what to do and IMO GTD is the best framework for deciding that.
Good read to start my working week!
Thank you got this invitation to stop playing the losing game. Appreciate you, Chris
That is such a good comparison. I used to really love Tower defense games actually 😅 but I can really relate to that feeling of thinking you have to finish everything and get the list down to zero. The list is never down to zero...
Thank goodness it's not just me!! And, for CPJC there, yep, I can tell you're 'probably not neurodivergent'. And I'm genuinely so happy for you that GTD is working for you! But can you imagine trying, and trying, and trying, and getting burned out, and then going back and trying again on something that just leaves you feeling like you will never, ever, ever be competent? Trust me, I wanted GTD to be the solution, but I failed on the first step - you know, the one where you're asked to writer down all the things you could possibly have on your list? Well, that was 3 years ago and I'm still listing ... What I know about many of these systems is that when you have very limited focus and capacity, you end up prioritizing the most important things (that keep you and your family alive and safe and under a roof) and give up the things that bring joy, that keep you sane, that allow you to function effectively (I remember sleep ...). For all my fellow Star Trek nerds, it's a Kobayashi Maru ... an unwinnable scenario. And, if you remember, Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru by, yep, cheating. Or 'changing the paradigm' if you like. Or 'being a disruptor' or whatever the current buzzwords are. The point is ... he had to learn to let go of the rules. I wish I had a profound cheat code for this, but I think it starts with acknowledging that different brains need different systems. And while I'm deeply suspicious of the personalities heading up the current 'brain pal' development - I WILL be first in line. External brain - sign me up! Except - I manage to be the external brain for my family members, and a fair chunk of my clients. So what stops me being that for myself? And if I knew THAT, I suspect I'd be a millionaire.
I do love this! Using the rule of three for what makes a productive day is so good on the brain!
I needed this today! Thanks!