Are you one of those people who always leaves everything to the last minute? Do you feel like you are barely able to meet your obligations?
Then you are the perfect candidate to try the GTD method. This methodology is one of the most effective when it comes to strategies to manage activities and increase productivity.
The GTD method is developed in five stages that must be executed in a certain order. In this article we tell you how to implement it.
What is the GTD method?
GTD is an acronym for Getting Things Done . This methodology is a framework that allows you to organize and track different tasks and projects efficiently.
The GTD method helps you manage and complete activities stress-free and through a comprehensive system of lists and calendars.
By implementing it, you won't have to worry about forgetting a deadline or an important task ; instead, you can respond to incoming information calmly and prioritize your time more efficiently .
The method is made up of five simple practices to systematize the clutter in your brain and get things done . Below we list the five steps of the GTD method that will set you up for success:
Collect
The first thing is to gather all the information in our mind related to pending tasks, appointments and projects. The goal is to store it in different tools such as notebooks, whiteboards, boxes or to-do-list apps.
This first step can take several laos telegram mobile phone number list days when we first start using the GTD method. After that, we will simply have to add new tasks, appointments and ideas as they arise. The advantage is that this step only takes a few minutes.
Process
Once you’ve gathered all of your information, you need to process it . During this step, you’ll turn the information into concrete actions, detailed notes, or relevant context.
In order to process this data, make sure that each element has enough information , for example:
A title that indicates a specific action (we recommend starting the sentence with a verb).
Documents, files or collaborators that must be involved in the work.
To-do list and goals.
All associated context. For example, the stage the work is in, the budget, estimated work hours, and task priority.
Organize
As you process information, you also need to organize it. During this step, move items to the corresponding projects in your work management tool.
Projects are like virtual folders where all the relevant information is stored. By organizing and moving pending tasks into the appropriate projects, you turn “things” into concrete actions .
When it comes to organizing , using a calendar is a good strategy. Include only specific appointments and mark the next ones to be carried out as a reminder.
Review
The GTD method doesn't involve simply adding tasks to a list and then forgetting about them. Instead, you should frequently review your tasks and re-prioritize them if necessary, which is why it's important to clearly understand the priority of each task .
Understanding the priority of each task will allow you to reorganize work and make changes to priorities more easily.
When should we review our work? Ideally, we should do it twice a day, at the beginning and end of each day. This way, we can start the day with a clear mind, without feeling like we need to constantly review and reorganize our to-do list and daily calendar.
The GTD method is designed to lighten the mental load, so make sure you don't review your work too often, as it will defeat the purpose.
Do
steps-of-the-gtd-method
In the GTD method, this is the step where you do most of the work . At this level, you have already cleared your mind and organized all the tasks .
If you're not sure where to start, consider the considerations we've listed here . Then, select the task that best fits your current situation.
Priority : What tasks have the highest priority? What needs to be done by today without fail?
Availability : How much time do you have right now? Ideally, you should select tasks that you can do in the time you have available, so that you don't have to leave anything half-done.
Available energy : How do you feel? It's important to consider not only theoretical capacity, but also actual capacity. Maybe you don't feel like you have the energy to write that blog post you need to do.