Lately I’ve become more and more busy, not only with work but with all of the things I’d like to do and accomplish. There’s reading books, working out, playing music, joining clubs and organizations, and writing more. Unfortunately, I tend to be the type of person who, after work, is easily distracted at home by things like the television and internet. Before I know it, it’s time for bed and I haven’t accomplished anything!
I haven’t yet read the book "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, but I have noticed a devoted legion of productive people that seem sold on Allen’s ideas. I’ve been looking into the concepts behind GTD and have begun to apply many of them to my own life with some success. I’ve also noticed that the successful people I work with have incorporated these ideas into their own lives, which should come as no surprise. Here are some of my favorite Web sites that encourage the ideas behind GTD and personal productivity:
43 Folders: A great blog focused on Getting Things Done. Offers frequent, practical tips on how to incorporate GTD concepts into one’s life.
Lifehacker: "Don’t live to geek; geek to live." Focuses primarily on technology that saves time and makes life easier.
Lifehack.org: Another "lifehack" site offering personal productivity tips and how to Get Things Done.
To-Done: Blog featuring tips to improve personal productivity and save time.
RSStocracy: Simple explanation of RSS. RSS has allowed me to cut my internet time dramatically by allowing me to read all of my favorite sites in one place. (I use Bloglines as my reader.)
"Time Management with PDAs": The title pretty much explains it all. I use a Treo 650 to organize my life, and this site gives strategies for staying organized with a PDA.
UPDATE (08/02/05): Today I went out and bought David Allen’s book, partly due to a strong post made yesterday by Kelly Papinchak of the excellent blog "Beginning a Career in Public Relations." We’ll see if the book helps me as it seems to have helped so many others!
Thanks for the mention of my blog post referencing David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done. Reading the book and applying the principles really has helped me manage my projects, both work and outside of work, more efficiently and with less stress and more feeling of being in control. Let me know what you think of the book!
Kelly