New must-have-lists to add to GTD

New must-have-lists to add to GTD

I gather inspiration and ideas from all the people I work with.
Two great list additions has come up, that I am sure will help you.

The first is a project summery list, where you write

• The name of the project


• Who gave you the project


• The date you got it


• The date when you started it


• The current state, (analysis, tested, passed on to xyz, finished)

If you are waiting for someone to test/approve you work

• Who that is


• When you gave it to that person


• The last date/time you called/mailed that person to check when she/he will get back to you.

This list could save your butt when someone asks you the status of one of your projects that you have handed on to a colleague some time ago, when you can check your list a tell him that you are waiting for John D. to test it, and you called him 3 days ago to check when he would be done.

The second list, is a list of your achievements, IE

• What projects you have done.


• Things you have done to make you and/or your team more productive.


• Tasks or responsibilities you have done that is not in your job description.

If you have made a presentation or a workshop about GTD and made your team / department more productive, that might lead to a pay raise or a bonus. Once in a while you should re-read your job description if it is long, to check what your company is paying you to do. If you do something extra there is a slim chance that anyone will notice it you don't.

Your boss, department head, might not hear all the great things you do, so keep a list of your great achievements.

All so a very important point, don't be shy... if you have done something great let people know. If you can afford it, buy muffins, a cake or grapes (whatever suits you) and let people know that there is something to celebrate, by sharing.

Best regards,

Carsten

Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund

Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund

This is the first Halo novel, a prequel to the xbox/ pc-game. It does not in any way require that that you have played the game to seriously enjoy the book. The book gives you a very good information about the Halo universe, even allot of background information that is not revealed in the game.

Mr. Nylund is very adept at writing action-suspense sci-fi. I had real trouble putting the novel down and sat up late at night reading it. Even though he started as an adult writing novels, he has surely mastered the key points of writing!

You will hear about the birth of the Spartan program and get to know John (the Master Chief) from he is a kid. The novel follows John and his fellow Spartans through training and on to real missions. I will not reveal the details here, that would be to spoil your fun. Only will I tell you that the novel takes you up to the time where the game starts.

If you have read Ender's Game you might find similarities, but this is in no way cheap copy/rewrite. This is just as good, if not better, IMHO.

You have been warned, make sure you have time to read the book once you get it. Even if you have no intention of playing the game you should get this book, and the sequels.

All in all Halo: The Fall of Reach is a must read for every sci-fi enthusiast.

Best wishes and hope you enjoy a great read,

Carsten

Getting Things Done (GTD) and coaching.

Getting Things Done (GTD) and coaching.

GTD has really help me allot both personally and professionally so I was thinking about how I could add value to GTD and help others.

For some time now I have been studying coaching and I think allot of what I have learned can be combined with GTD to make it easier to get started with GTD and in general help people be even more productive.

Sometimes I get a feeling that even though I am doing tasks from my lists, there is a task that I am avoiding. If you notice a similar situation you could ask yourself these questions:
- Do I need more information before I can get on with this task, and where could I get it (online, co-workers, documentation)?
- What about the task/project gives me the feeling of uncertainty?
- What is the goal/end result of the task/project?

Sometimes I find that simple doubt about how to go about the project is holding me back, then it helps having defined the first (or several) next action steps. Because when I just throw myself at the first action, the next actions keeps flowing naturally and before I know it I'm done. Sometimes the biggest obstacle is getting started.

When you need to collect stuff and have your lists with you, you should either carry a PDA, a notebook or PocketMod. This will enable you to look at your list and your calendar where ever you are and collect thoughts about your projects.

Pocketmod is a little 8-page notebook that you can design on the homepage and then print and fold. (go to pocketmod.com)

Best regards,
Carsten

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

I don't care if you believe in faith, energy or God, you are certain to get some good ideas from this book. Even though I have my doubts about a higher power, this book has helped me in several areas and has made me a happier person.

One of the aspects from The Secret is about asking for what you want and imagine that you already have it. You would properly agree that having a goal clearly in your mind will help focus your subconscious mind, and help you - get new ideas, spot new business possibilities and so forth.

The book covers prosperity, your body, your relationships....

I can only recommend this book with all my heart.

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Do you feel that you have more projects running at work than you can handle?
Do you forget projects where you have been waiting for someone else to get back to you?
Having trouble saying no to new task and drowning small and big projects?

Unless your have the privilege of working with one and only one thing at the time and is never disturbed by phone calls or your colleagues you simply NEED this book.

It has seriously reduced the amount of stress I have at work and at home and I can only give it my highest recommendations!!! Not only do I feel less stress, I know what I am working on, and can with a good conscience tell my boss or colleagues if I don't have time for a new small task unless it's OK that I either park current projects or delegate some of my work.


The system in Getting Things Done (GTD) is easy to learn and implement, and if you work with it and give it a little time, it could save you! It will take a little extra work to start with but very soon you will see the fruit of the seed you have planted. David Allen has a great sense of humor and the book is enjoyable to read. Its written for you and me in plain English, not filled with buss-words to fill the pages.
You can use the system whoever you are and what you do no matter if you are a manager, programmer or professional house keeper. All you need is some folders, a labeler and some in trays. If you have a PDA or a laptop, that would work very well also.
There is a reason that it is one of the top-selling books on Amazon. It works.

A good peace of advise for you: always carry a small notebook, like a Moleskine notebook, and something to write with. (A PDA would work as well, of course ) When you remember something you need to do, or get some inspiration about one of your projects, you can write it and save it. Your brain is more likely to give you great ideas if it knows that you can save them somewhere.