Getting Things Done – Worksheet

The Core Promise

Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.

"The source of stress is not having too much to do. It is keeping track of too much to do in your head."

My reflection

In practice

For the next 30 minutes, do a complete brain dump. Write down every single thing you're trying to remember – every task, project, commitment, idea, and worry. Don't organise it yet. Just get it all out of your head and onto paper or into a notes app. Notice how your mind feels afterward.

I will try this this week

Reflect

For the next 30 minutes, do a complete brain dump. Write down every single thing you're trying to remember – every task, project, commitment, idea, an...

The Two-Minute Rule

If it takes less than two minutes, do it now.

"The cost of deferring a small task is almost always higher than the cost of doing it immediately."

My reflection

In practice

For one full day, apply the two-minute rule strictly. Every time a task arrives – an email, a request, a small decision – ask: can this be done in two minutes? If yes, do it immediately. If no, capture it in your system. At the end of the day, notice whether your to-do list is shorter or longer than usual.

I will try this this week

Reflect

For one full day, apply the two-minute rule strictly. Every time a task arrives – an email, a request, a small decision – ask: can this be done in two...

Next Actions

Projects don't get done. Next actions do.

"The reason tasks stay on lists forever is that 'write report' is not an action. 'Open document and write first paragraph' is."

My reflection

In practice

Go through your current to-do list. For every item that is actually a project (requires more than one step), identify and write down the very next physical action. Be specific: what app, what file, what call, what decision? Notice how your resistance to those tasks changes.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Go through your current to-do list. For every item that is actually a project (requires more than one step), identify and write down the very next phy...

The Weekly Review

The system only works if you trust the system.

"A capture system that is not reviewed regularly becomes another source of anxiety rather than relief."

My reflection

In practice

Block 90 minutes in your calendar for this week – call it 'Weekly Review'. During that time: clear your email inbox to zero, review every project and confirm it has a next action, capture anything still in your head. Do this every week for a month and notice how your baseline anxiety level changes.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Block 90 minutes in your calendar for this week – call it 'Weekly Review'. During that time: clear your email inbox to zero, review every project and ...

Contexts

Organise by context, not by project.

"You don't do projects. You do actions. And actions happen in specific contexts – at a computer, on the phone, at home, in a meeting."

My reflection

In practice

Reorganise your current task list into context categories. Start with three: @computer, @calls, @errands. Assign every task to a context. For one week, only look at the relevant context list when you're in that context. Notice how much mental energy you save by not re-reading irrelevant tasks.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Reorganise your current task list into context categories. Start with three: @computer, @calls, @errands. Assign every task to a context. For one week...

The Horizons of Focus

Tasks make sense only in the context of goals.

"A perfectly organised task list with no connection to what actually matters is just very efficient busyness."

My reflection

In practice

Write down your answers to three questions: What are my main areas of responsibility right now? What do I want to be different in two years? What kind of person do I want to be? Now look at your task list. Is what you're doing daily connected to those answers? Identify one task you could add and one you could drop.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Write down your answers to three questions: What are my main areas of responsibility right now? What do I want to be different in two years? What kind...

Trusted System

You can only relax about what you've captured.

"The goal of GTD is not to get more done. It is to feel appropriately relaxed about everything you're not doing right now."

My reflection

In practice

After completing a full GTD setup – capture, process, organise, review – sit quietly for five minutes and notice your mental state. Are there still things nagging at you? If yes, they haven't been captured. Add them. Repeat until the nagging stops. That feeling of quiet is what the system is designed to produce.

I will try this this week

Reflect

After completing a full GTD setup – capture, process, organise, review – sit quietly for five minutes and notice your mental state. Are there still th...