How to Get Things Done

Abstract

The author has been testing different methodologies and tools to help her manage her workload for a number of years. She uses a number of different techniques in both her work and personal life and in this article, she shares some of them. Getting Things Done (GTD) is a productivity methodology developed by David Allen to help organise information and make decisions about what to do and when. GTD is a cyclical, ongoing process consisting of five stages from collection to action: collect, process, organise, review, and do. Tasks can be grouped based on four factors -- context, time available, priority, and energy -- to make it easier to identify tasks. General productivity tips for getting started, staying on task, staying motivated, and managing e-mail are also presented. Adapted from the source document