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A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

blog.zenkit.com

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Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#71

Post by PeOe »

lxglv wrote: post #39
jstewartmobile wrote: post #31

This was mercifully shorter than the Cal Newport book. That's about all I can say for it. Ivan Sutherland had the secret, and it only took one paragraph to share it: ' I used to hate washing dishes. I would delay as long as possible. Eyeing the daunting pile of dishes, I would say to myself, “I'll be here forever at this dumb task.” The enormity of the task deterred me from starting. I still dislike washing dishes, b…

Personally I used the same approach to start running: “just lace the shoes”. After you finish this, you are almost running.

Haha! that´s genius. Could technically be applied to lots of unpleasant tasks. I sometimes have difficulties with getting out of bed in the morning. Might a "just stand up" help with that problem? I will test that tomorrow.

Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#72

Post by freyir »

jrgifford wrote: post #54
peruvian wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As much as I respect Mr Newport, a lot of books like his could be one long form blog post (or paragraph!) instead of a 200~ page book.

This is true, however he is trying to explain the idea to multiple people, so he's explaining his ideas in multiple ways. So no, it could not be a long form blog post.

Is the idea that complicated? Can it not clearly and concisely be explained in a way that makes sense to a large audience? We see more complex ideas explained more concisely all the time.

It's not just Cal Newport, it's self-help and productivity authors in general. They have an idea, and then they repeat it over and over again until they have a book.

Maybe the repetition benefits the reader. Maybe it's easier to internalize an idea when it is hammered into your skull. Or maybe books are just more profitable than blog posts.

Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#73

Post by voiper1 »

zimbatm wrote: post #22

Every time I tried to do GTD it just makes me unhappy. It is something related with encoding all the little things, put them into boxes, organize. And ultimately becoming the robot executing the tasks that I have set for myself. The list becomes the things I have to do, it grows larger and larger, there is never enough time. Instead, let the brain do what it does best; forget. Put the really important things in the c…

Sounds like you'd like Zen to Done, a modified version of GTD.

The basics is here: https://zenhabits.net/zen-to-done-ztd-the-ultimate-simple-pr... (and there's a longer ebook version for sale, too).

Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#75

Post by zentiggr »

thibran wrote: post #21

Write down ideas... I'm very skeptical that this would work, because I have ideas about all kinds of topics all the time. My list would be so crowded and mixed that it would be hard to prioritize anything. At the end I would see on paper that there is too much stuff going on in my head, something that I already know...

If lots of creative bits floating around in your head works for you, and doesn't distract from accomplishing the day to day things, then all good.

The thing I've seen most about "GTD doesn't work!" feelings is the assumption that 'doing GTD' is all or nothing. "record everything and become task robot" is one extreme.

The core idea is "use something other than your mind to keep track of the core things you want to be reminded of later, and the stress of 'what was that thought again?' can go away."

If you get to a point of not worrying about what might have fallen between the cracks, you've got enough of a system and I call that 'working'.

My "GTD" system doesn't look anything at all like DA explains it, but the concepts were enough to push me in the right direction and find what works to keep that worry at bay.

Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#76

Post by [deleted] »

jstewartmobile wrote: post #31

This was mercifully shorter than the Cal Newport book. That's about all I can say for it. Ivan Sutherland had the secret, and it only took one paragraph to share it: ' I used to hate washing dishes. I would delay as long as possible. Eyeing the daunting pile of dishes, I would say to myself, “I'll be here forever at this dumb task.” The enormity of the task deterred me from starting. I still dislike washing dishes, b…

[deleted]

Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#79

Post by PeOe »

tudelo wrote: post #67
dogruck wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’re right — most people will fail to stick with diets, exercise, and personal organization. Frankly, it feels hilarious that researchers had to spend time proving that claim. Just look around! On the other hand, there’s a powerful minority of people who do stay disciplined. They get a lot of stuff done. Lastly, although it’s easy to fail, it is possible to join that powerful minority.

It's not only possible, it's so much easier than most think. It's just a case of just doing it, like cleaning your room or washing your dishes.

"Just doing it" seems to be the solution to a lot of things. Whether it´s trying new things or starting a business. I´ve learnt the hard way that overthinking and then not doing is worse than just doing and then failing. Out of failing you actually learn and get better. Out of overthinking comes .. literally ..nothing.

Gary Vaynerchuk always preaches the "concept" of putting in the actual work. Also a variation of "just doing it" but with the side-note of "actually go out and do something"! Really important stuff because most of the people nowadays don´t get that and think success will somehow come around the corner one day.

Re: A Beginner´s Guide to Getting Things Done

#80

Post by jventura »

jstewartmobile wrote: post #31

This was mercifully shorter than the Cal Newport book. That's about all I can say for it. Ivan Sutherland had the secret, and it only took one paragraph to share it: ' I used to hate washing dishes. I would delay as long as possible. Eyeing the daunting pile of dishes, I would say to myself, “I'll be here forever at this dumb task.” The enormity of the task deterred me from starting. I still dislike washing dishes, b…

I searched for the quote and did find it in "Technology and Courage", by Ivan Sutherland (https://www.seas.harvard.edu/profdev/spring09/TechnologyCour...). It's a very interesting reading, sometimes quite illuminating things are hidden among other, more common, things.. Thanks for the quotation!
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