

Think of this less as an email inbox and more as a task list of data to be processed later. That’s because any task, piece of information, or reminder (or, as Allen likes to call it, “stuff”) goes directly into your Inbox. David Allen calls this your Inbox-regardless of what tool you’re using. Captureīefore you can organize your work, you first need to capture it-in a place outside of your brain. Then, once your work is organized in the GTD method, you can start executing on tasks. These steps help you catalogue and organize your upcoming work in an external tool like Asana, so you’re no longer mentally keeping track of upcoming to-dos. The five steps of the Getting Things Done method set you up for success. Read: Try timeboxing: The goal-oriented time management strategy Try these 5 steps in the GTD workflow If you’re one of them, pair the GTD method with another time management method, like time blocking or timeboxing. Some people struggle with this level of open-ended flexibility. The GTD method only helps you organize your tasks-it doesn’t help you schedule your weekly or daily work. If you’re not already using a task management system, create one to document all of your work.Ĭan be too flexible. Provides a clear sense of the work on your plate so it’s easy to reprioritize or reschedule if necessary.īefore you get started with the GTD method, here are some limitations to keep in mind. Reduces the cognitive load and mental strain that comes from trying to remember everything that’s on your plate.Įliminates multitasking so you have more time to be in the flow.īuilds a central source for all information-even non-actionable information. The GTD system is easy to set up and flexible to use. The strategy you choose to implement depends largely on which skills you want to improve with time management. Like all time management techniques, it has its pros and cons. The Getting Things Done method is just one time management strategy. Asana brings the GTD method to life by organizing your work and reducing your mental strain so you can complete your high-impact work on time. Naturally, we think Asana is a good option. Instead of storing that information in different places, the GTD method helps you input and organize it into one tool such as a work management tool.

The GTD method doesn’t just help you organize your personal to-dos-though it’s great for that-it can also help you capture non-actionable reference work, work that other team members need to complete, and goals related to the work you’re doing. Look for a tool that lets you capture and organize personal, project, and program-level information. By externalizing this information into actionable items, you’re better set up for long-term success. Your brain isn’t built to store large bodies of organized information-but work management tools are. Instead of trying to store all of your project information in your brain, the GTD method uses a five step system to capture and catalogue your to-dos into an external source, such as a work management tool. Read: 18 time management tips, strategies, and quick wins to get your best work done Boost productivity with Asana Using work management to implement the GTD method Whenever you introduce a new task to the mix, your brain needs to think through everything you have on the docket and reprioritize your work relative to this new task. Even if you aren’t aware of it, your brain is constantly “on” in the background, shuffling and rearranging your upcoming to-dos to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. GTD is a popular time management strategy because of how simple it is to implement and how powerful it can be in practice. Allen describes the GTD method in his book, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity." GTD is an acronym that stands for Getting Things Done, a productivity method first developed by David Allen in 2001.
