getting things done for developers
DESCRIPTION
this is my latest version of this topic. I have added information about the Pomodoro Technique and some more online tools.TRANSCRIPT
Getting Things Done (GTD)For Geeks
Woody PewittDirector of Software Development
King [email protected]
@woodyp
Who Are You?
Who Are You?
Who Are You?
Who Are You?
WHAT GETTING THINGS DONE IS NOT!
WHAT GETTING THINGS DONE IS!
Getting Things Done
• Getting Things Done is an organizational method created by David Allen, described in a book of the same name.
• The Getting Things Done method rests on the principle that a person needs to move tasks out of the mind by recording them externally. That way, the mind is freed from the job of remembering everything that needs to be done, and can concentrate on actually performing those tasks.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done
Getting Things Done Book
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142000280/
What’s it all about?
ControlAnd
Perspective
Know your Self!
“Always On My Mind”
• What “stuff” is on your mind right now?• Up to 7 things at once, maybe 10…• “Mismanaged commitment = WORRY.”
“Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning”
-Winston Churchill
Mind Like Water
Set Limitations (Haiku)
1. By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in everything you do, learn to set limitations.
2. By choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. Always choose the essential to maximize your time and energy.
-from “The Power of LESS,” by Leo Babauta (p. 5)
Learn To Set Limits
• Email–Why check every 5 seconds?• Text/Chat–Useful or distracting?• Web Browsing–Really need to know that?– “We” may be addicted…
• Single-tasking, not multi-tasking–Focus.– Focus on the present, now.
• When overwhelmed and paralyzed, start with one little thing… and then repeat.
Get Out Of My Mind!
• Externalize things–OUT of your head!• “Distributed Cognition”– Simply write it down• Basic pen/pencil and pad• An app that takes only a few seconds to use• Something easy to refer to or manage
• A SYSTEM to manage it all…
A Two-Minute Video
• WorkFastTV• http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/david-allen-
on-getting-things-done-0– :40 to 2:20
Five Stages Of Workflow
1. Collect2. Process3. Organize4. Review & Reflect5. Do (Actions)
1. Collect
• Mental collection– EVERYTHING on your mind
• Physical collection– On your desk– In your desk– Around your desk, including old files
• 100% of your “incompletes”
2. Process
• Is this actionable or not?– Yes – Next action– No – Trash, someday/maybe, or reference.
• Does it take less than 2 minutes?– DO IT (now)– Delegate it (to someone else)– Defer it (waiting on something/someone)
"My three most important productivity tools are:
• The Trash Can,• The Delete Key, and• The Word 'No.’”
- Patrick Rhone
3. Organize
• Projects– Actions (tasks) or Projects (more than one)
• Calendar (is sacred territory)– Time/day-specific actions
4. Review & Reflect
• Review to keep things off of your mind• Cleanup, update, and delete• Thorough weekly review
5. Do (Actions)
• Context (Home, office, time, season)• Time available (9:00 a.m. or 5:59 p.m.)• Energy available• Priority—What has the highest payoff?
“You have more to do than you can possibly do. You just need to feel good about your choices.” –David Allen
Five Stages Of Workflow (again)
1. Collect2. Process3. Organize4. Review & Reflect5. Do (Actions)
Collect
Process
OrganizeReview & Reflect
Do (Actions)
Six-Level Model For Review
• Runway: Current actions• 10,000 ft: Current projects• 20,000 ft: Ares of responsibility• 30,000 ft: One- to two-year goals• 40,000 ft: Three- to five-year vision• 50,000+ ft: Life
Capture/Collection Tools
• Pen/pencil and paper• Physical in-basket• iPhone, Blackberry, Droid• Voice-recording devices• Email• Software like Outlook, OneNote…
My Tools…
My Tools…
My Tools…
My Tools…
The Pomodoro Technique
Pomodoro Technique® in 5 minutes
The Pomodoro Technique
Go Get Things Done!
• Set limitations for yourself.• Get a system that works for you.• Feel good about your own decisions.• Learn “the art of stress-free productivity.”
Online Resources/tools• Visual Studio
– http://wpew.it/97Nm36• David Allen
– www.davidco.com• Leo Babauta
– www.zenhabits.net• Merlin Mann
– www.43folders.com• EverNote
– www.evernote.com• WorkFlowy
– www.workflowy.com• iDoneThis
– www.idonethis.com
