This week in CEP 810, we were tasked with exploring tools for Getting Things Done . David Allen is super insightful with pinpointing why we as humans procrastinate, and are always stressed out with getting things done. There were times during his Tedx that I thought he was describing me. To sum up Allen’s process for managing the workflow though, he highlights 5 steps in the process of Getting Things Done.
Step 1 is collect, and my collection of sticky notes speak for themselves when I collect things to do. I find sticky notes all over the place with a few items to do here and there. Step 2 is process, there are certain items on my to do list I may need to wait on because I do not have everything I need to complete said task. By looking at my list above I do not have paint yet so that must be completed before I can continue with painting. Step 3 is organizing, this tends to be the one I get hung up on. I turned to google keep this week to get organized. In my google keep I have my notes color coded from school to home, and I have set alarms for things that are “time sensitive”. I shared the home notes with my husband so he can help with tasks or add to things that need to be done which is awesome. We also linked our google calendars together so that we can plan are weeks around each other’s busy schedules. Google Calendars is something that I use at work as well so this was an easy transition, and I was able to help Dave with linking our calendars.
Currently I am on step 4 of reviewing my to do’s for the week. My tasks start tomorrow and I am ready to do. Using David Allen’s criteria for due I need to make sure my tasks are:
Context
Time Available
Energy Available
Priority
My Plan for this week to complete step 5 and Do, is to use my Prep time to focus on school work because, I do not have energy or time to work on it after school. I am going to allow over flow time during the morning, so I can focus on working out, and meditating after school and this also leaves time for after school meetings. I am going to take Wednesday and Sunday to work on My course work because that is uninterrupted quiet time where I can think, and reflect. This should leave my home time plenty of time to enjoy my family and Get Things Done at home.
With Google tools on my side and a new found enthusiasm for Getting Things Done, I am ready to take on the week!
References:
Allen, D. (2001). Getting things done: The art of stress-free productivity. New York: Penguin
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