GTD Essentials Checklist

The Essentials of Getting Things Done

Getting things done is an excellent example of ‘Doing Exactly What it Says On The Tin’. From the mind of David Allen, it is a thorough and complete orgnaisational tool. Below is a condensed version that has served me well over the years. For further information go to the GTD website

Setup an ‘IN’ basket

This can be an email account, a list on your Iphone or a physical basket that you can put new ‘things’ that require your attention. Where and how is not important only that is should simple and easy to use.

Empty your head

Write into your list or put for each item write every possible thing you have to do on to a piece of paper and put it into your ‘IN’ basket.

Empty your IN basket

For each item in your in basket decide:

  1. What is it?
  2. Is it Actionable?
  3. Do, Delegate or Defer
  4. What is the next action? What is the very next thing that could be done to move the item forward towards completion? Remember one cannot complete a project. One can only do actions towards a project or goal. e.g. Does the project need research (Brainstorming). Do you need to ask a teacher a question about the report you need to write.
  5. Never Put Anything Back into ‘IN’. This is fatal, it delays you deciding on what the next action is and it will stick at the back of your mind as you have not yet decided what to do with it.

Create Project list.

This list should not be in any particular order or have any notation on its priority. It is simply a list of projects that have next actions.  You can have as many projects lists as you like, but you should have at least a main projects list and list of next actions associated with that list.

2 Minute Rule

If something can be done within 2 minutes, do it straight away. Your friends and colleagues will be amazed how you can do things so quickly.

The Someday Maybe List

This is a list of projects that you do not plan on doing at the moment but may do in the future.  This list should be added to as needed and reviewed once in a blue moon, taking off projects you have lost interest in or no longer need pursuing.

The Weekly Review

This is the most important part of GTD. Once a week check that your lists are complete, look for any next actions.  Repeat the process of emptying your mind of any new items putting them into your in basket and processing them as described above