While a few days back I blasted "Pop" business books for re-selling nearly the same themes, there is one recent title which I can't seem to shake. Getting Things Done is a book by David Allen about...well I think you can guess. It is a fairly light read but it talks about how to better organize your life to maximize your potential through simple steps. The interesting part is that Allen discusses why these steps have meaning and knowing the why upfront is key to setting this into motions. Plus, I think his "why" is correct.

Well, I tried to ignore the hype. Fervent users are said to have joined "the cult of GTD" and obsess over how to implement it's tips more effectively. I just didn't have time to be more productive right now.

A few weeks back I caved in and read it in a train ride. I thought it sounded great, like many of these self-help novels do, and I was pumped to begin. But putting it into practice I started to wonder if it was truly possible to follow the thoughts inside when a person has spent their life using a self-created system. I set the book down and gave it some thought.

Low and behold, I'm happy to say today I've implemented most of the tenets of GTD. My home office is spotless, I have a firm list of ongoing projects marked by priority, and I updated my filing system so that inspirational thoughts or idea. I still have a long way to go but I do feel its benefits.

The most important note here is that Allen frequently discusses GTD in the context of a day-time job. While I understand that this is the audience he is aiming for I find GTD many time more compelling for everyday life. When juggling a job plus all of the other bits a system to enjoy it along the way truly helps.

Imagine applying your full self to every page of a new novel or painting!

If you're interested in GTD I'd highly recommend the following links: