Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity Review


by David Allen



Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)
 




tim
Chicago, IL

Gives hope to people with lots of "stuff" to do

4 star rating

business reader, casual reader
Pros

    good examples, easy to read, sound advice

Cons
    too complicated, a bit long

JAN
29
2007
A friend recommended that I read the book "Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen. It was a NYT bestseller at one point, and has become somewhat of a cult with Mac-users (GTD, as it is called). The premise of the book is that all of our "to-do's" end up rattling around in our head all-day, causing us anxiety that limits what we can actually accomplish. Before reading this book, I considered myself a fairly organized person. But this book really showed me just how inefficient I am! It has a lot of very tangible strategies for getting better organized and closing those "open loops" or little to-do's that gnaw at you all day (like, get the back door fixed; send in the school re-enrollment form, etc.). I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get a better handle on the ever-increasing number of things we have to do and keep track of every day. My only gripe was that the book got a little long-winded near the end, and the simple concepts presented up-front seemed to get a little murkier with use. But those are just nitpicks really - and I can see why this system has earned itself a lot of fanatics!

Last edited on Apr 13, 2007



I_thumb_up Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity is recommended by tim

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about tim’s Review

 


Saxguy wrote on Jun 10, 2007 at 11:19PM

Me, too.

I bought the book but haven't had time to read it.

Rainmaker wrote on May 30, 2007 at 11:35PM

I have this book. I haven't finished it. The guilt is hanging around causing me stress. I do really get the irony here.

CyndiA wrote on Mar 18, 2007 at 9:02AM

Now, I'll have to get organized enough to get to town, buy the book and then GASP read it (-: Just kidding. I always manage to find time to read. Neat review. The book definately sounds worth a try. I could use more organization.

Cat wrote on Mar 15, 2007 at 2:08PM

No! They mock you? That is so wrong, but it happens to me too. They're just jealous of your nifty little labels. (At least, that's what I tell myself.)

tim wrote on Mar 14, 2007 at 1:31PM

good call on the Labelmaker...I actually bought two - one for the office and one for home. Of course, everyone here makes fun of me for it. It probably doesn't help that I also carry around an HP calculator to every meeting.

Cat wrote on Mar 13, 2007 at 4:07PM

I have this book but I just can't get through it. I think that what you wrote about "long-winded near the end" is spot on. However, I do now have a "Someday/Maybe" section and I even bought a labelmaker and got serious about my file folders after reading this book. Great review!

Jolie wrote on Jan 29, 2007 at 10:26PM

I am going to run out and buy this book! Thanks.

tim wrote on Jan 29, 2007 at 6:01PM

wow...what a great review


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