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The Mind Is For Having Ideas, Not Holding Them may be the best half hour executive summary of David Allen's Getting Things Done method.

Nobody has “fulfill destiny as a human being on this planet” on their to do list, but ultimately that is what it boils down to.

The requirements: Control & Perspective.

Control

• Capture what has your attention
• Clarify if this needs action, if so, what done means and what doing looks like
• Organize these commitments and decisions in a trusted system
• Reflect on best way to engage, decide on next action
• Engage, do it

This approach to getting things under control applies to multiple levels of perspective:

Perspective

• Purpose
• Principles your rules of engagement
• Goals 12-18 month horizon
• Responsibilities 4-7 areas to maintain
• Projects things to finish within a year
• Actions things to do

And don't expect to stay in control but get thrown off multiple times each day. Notice it happening and regroup.

Good practice

• Pay attention to what has your attention
• Decide on desired outcomes and the actions required
• Free your psyche with a trusted system
• Teach what you need to learn the most
• Share these ideas

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Using GTD does tend to generate its own kind of busywork. Still, I find it true that the clarity that comes from this control and perspective is needed for finding the right way in and through the mess of work, art, life.

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