You can almost see it now. The picture is beginning to take shape. You already know what it will look like — a set of eight antique cars on an octagonal board. After all, this is your favorite jigsaw puzzle.
The cover of the box illustrates the completed puzzle. You could use it to help fit the pieces together if only you still knew where to find it. Instead, you are working from a vague impression in your memory.
As you leave for vacation and approach your departure gate, consider one question:
Would you let a swarm of flies pilot your plane?
The answer should be obvious. (The answer is “No.” In case it wasn’t obvious!) Although you would never board such a plane, if the answer is so clear then ask yourself why you are allowing a swarm of flies to pilot your life?
My story begins with spittle. Two years and eight months ago my wife and I became first-time parents. We were the proud new owners of an adorable spittle machine.
This new machine had many more features than simply producing spittle. It could also manufacture copious amounts of other liquid and semi-liquid substances.
When I first began using GTD®, the first behavior that produced a feeling of clarity for me was Capture. I have an average memory, but I frequently forget thoughts I had only moments ago. Perhaps this is because I often have numerous additional thoughts in quick succession and I just cannot retain all of them. It turns out that nobody can — at least not without intentionally using memory tricks (which is not something that I typically do).
One of the great things about GTD is how every person can implement the system in a way that makes sense for them. It is a personal choice. A statement that represents how you work and how you think. No matter what tool, or tools, you choose, it is your choice to find something effective.
Getting Things Done®. It is hard. Very hard. Getting Things Done®, or GTD®, as it is known, is a complex system. There are a lot of different concepts first to understand, processes to implement, and systems to maintain. If you only follow a partial GTD® plan, then you do get some benefits, but you will never fully realize the real potential of the system. You know what it can do for you, and you want that. It is just that it is out of reach.