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Tag Archives: GTD

Mar201014

Covey versus Allen: Let battle commence!

Just who has the “best” personal productivity system, Covey or Allen?

In the September 1, 2008 issues of Fortune, the David Allen method was chosen as the most practical approach over Covey and another well known productivity coach. Here’s what I think of the article?

Book cover via Amazon

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I think the article is a very accurate summary of at least two of the methods, Stephen Covey and David Allen’s GTD. I am not familiar with Jim Loehr’s method so I can’t comment. From what I read, I agree with the author’s assessment.

My personal bottom line is that David Allen’s system was the most useful, Loehr’s the most energizing, and Covey’s the most profound. Whether I’ll be able to keep up all these new habits remains to be seen. All I know is that right now my office is now perfectly organized I’m clear about my life’s purpose.

I agree with Lieven that it doesn’t have to be either/or. However, most people couldn’t afford to run all three programs in parallel (based on both time and money costs.) A primary difference, in my opinion, is that David Allen’s is the most holistic and frees up my energy to enjoy life in the present, not at some “vision” point in the future.

What I really like about the GTD method is that it focuses on the now and frees up your mind to allow it to work on more meaningful work/projects/tasks – this in turn will solve your big life purpose/goals. I have been working with GTD for several years and have outstanding results – even from the very beginning with implementing the A-Z file system along with saying “what is the next action here” – you will see immediate results.

There are pieces of both the Covey and the Loehr approach built into the GTD method. Best of all, you can implement GTD quickly (and inexpensively – just buy the books and support materials). The weekly review is key to putting it all together.

And finally, another important aspect, the GTD trusted system can be implemented with just plain paper and/or electronic system (or a hybrid) – there are plenty of interesting tools to support paper, electronic and hybrid implementations.

In summary: I’m grateful that the Fortune writer chose GTD over Covey and the other coach. Although I thought the deeper aspects of GTD were not included in the article, I still would have liked to see more about the necessity to close “open loops” and the power of “mind like water.”

What do you think? Leave a comment below:

Originally posted 2008-09-26 07:52:14.

Dec200907

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Todoodlist review: Technology is great. Pencils are better

I am a big fan of Zen to Done however, I’m aware that it may not suit everyone. Therefore, with this in mind Todoodlist might be more suitable?

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Todoodlist is a fun, easy-to-read, instant-download 97 page EBook about falling in love with paper, simplifying your life, and following your dreams.

About the author

Half geek, half new-age Luddite, Nick Cernis is a hardened web developer and self-confessed gadget junkie from the UK; an unlikely candidate to write a book about abandoning hard tech in favour of simple solutions.

As well as writing for Put Things Off, Nick is one-half of Goburo, a successful design company based in West Yorkshire.

A note from the author: why he wrote Todoodlist:

Three years ago I abandoned my PDA and returned to pencil and paper. I combined my experience on-line with traditional methods to create fun new ways to get things done with paper. Todoodlist shares my story and offers you the same secret of a simpler, happier life.

What’s in the book?

The eBook starts with Nick explaining that one day his PDA died and he started using a pencil and paper instead. From then on, he used a Pen and Pencil to organise his life and his daily tasks. So, underlying the strange name is a sound principle – simple, paper productivity systems are more effective than complex, computer-based ones.

The contents are split across three parts for easy reference:

Seven punchy, light-hearted essays exploring our complex lives that tackle the question: “why’s everything so complex, anyway?” Includes Zen Kitten in a Box and Parrots in Space.
Five fun, unmissable, paper-based systems that will change the way you look at pen and paper forever and help you simplify your life. (Don’t miss the story of how he ended up swapping my PDA for a banana!) Features the Todoodlist – a fun way to get things done on paper — and the Sudoku Calendar, another of the deliciously low-tech ideas he uses every day.
The five-step guide to reduce complexity in your life. Practical advice to help you live simply that you can put into practice and get results with today. Part three also includes the blueprint for launch, a beautifully simple, one-page printable list of questions to help you launch new projects faster and turn your pipe dreams into reality.

Todoodlist is a fun, practical PDF guide to help you embrace simplicity, rid your life of complexity, and discover new ways to be productive with paper.

Money-back guarantee

Nick offers a 30-day money back guarantee. In other words, if this approach doesn’t work for you then you have nothing to lose. No quibbles. No guilt-trips. Just a refund in full.

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