How You Can Get More Done

If you want to get more done, put everything in a place that reflects what it specifically means to you—i.e., make a decision about it. That’s the advice of David Allen, executive coach and best-selling author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. He feels strongly that getting all of your “to dos” out of your head and into a regularly managed system frees up your psychic energy for actually getting things done.

In Allen’s system, similar items, such as calls you need to make, are kept together—in case you have some free time with a phone nearby. Projects, reference items, things you’re waiting for, "someday"/"maybe" ideas and future appointments or reminders are also kept separately.

Anything that can be done in two minutes or less is done immediately and most importantly, each project also lists its next action item—for example, call Bob for chili recipe, not make dinner.

For an abbreviated version of Allen’s organization principles, click this link.