A Simple Trick to Getting More Done

 716 Words | 3 Min 36 Sec Read

Dear Younger Me,

I just finished one of the most productive weeks of my life, and it’s all thanks to one simple trick:

The GTD Method

I want to teach you how to use it.

So what is the GTD Method?

The GTD (Getting Things Done) Method is a system for creating, organizing, and completing tasks. It helps you get everything out of your head and into action. Consultant David Allen created this methodology back in the early 2000s and teaches it in his book of the same name.

His book lays out five steps to implement the GTD Method. While I highly recommend buying the book to dive deeper, let's focus on how you can start using it right now.

I've summarized his steps into three simple, action-oriented steps:

1. Document

2. Sort

3. Act

Let’s implement.

Document

You only need two things:

1. Something to write with

2. Something to write on (ideally lots of it, like notecards or sticky notes)

Actually… there is one more thing you need:

10 minutes.

Use your phone, clock, or anything that can get 10 minutes counting down as soon as possible.

Set your alarm for 10 minutes, grab your writing utensil, whatever you are writing on, and write down every single thing you can think of that you need to do.

• Text mom? Write it down

• Get a dentist appointment scheduled? Write it down.

• Plan for that really important board meeting next week? Write. It. Down.

Pretty simple, right?

After 10 minutes you will be surprised how many things you need to get done.

Now, let’s get ready to take action!

Sort

If you thought the first step was easy, this step is even easier.

Take one minute to think about places and things where you spend the most time and get the most things done.

A “medium” can be:

• Phone

• Computer

• Kitchen

• Room

• Office

Think of a medium as any place where you may spend time and take action.

For me, my primary mediums are my phone, computer, and office.

What makes mediums important?

Well, remember all those notes you just generated?

You are going to sort each note into the medium in which they can get done.

You can do this by simply going back through each note and asking the same question:

“Where would be the easiest place to accomplish this task?”

_{All three of these and so many more can be your mediums.}

For example, “call dad” or “post pic on Instagram” will likely fall under a “phone” medium, while “paying taxes” or “doing homework” might fall under “office.”

There is one more step in the sort category that you need to do to make this whole process work.

The key with mediums is that before you start working in a specific medium (at your computer, in your office, etc), refer back to your sorted list. Now you have a ready-made to-do list for that exact place.

But there is one last thing to do…

Act

The simplest and easiest of the three steps. You made it 99% of the way there. This last step is simply taking the last step across the bridge.

You would be surprised to know that many will take all this “action” without actually doing the act that they need to do.

So go do it!

You will be amazed with how much more you will be able to get done.

Congratulations, if you just invested four minutes to save thousands more getting more things done.

Now go out and do it!

Best,

Older You

P.S.: If you enjoyed this letter and want 5 specific tools that I use to make the GTD process even more effective, can I ask you to do the following:

1. Forward this newsletter to 5 of your friends

2. Reply to this letter with the first names of the 5 friends you sent this to

Keep an eye on your inbox - I’ll send you my list of 5 specific tolls as a thank you!