Why Did I Choose David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” Program? – Cheryl Antier
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Cheryl Antier is going to be a frequent author at Fresh Focus…On Productivity! We have agreed on Mondays to be her posting day, and I really look forward to what Cheryl has to offer. She’s a great writer!
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Mainly it was one thing…the fact that it “takes into consideration the specific nature of the individual’s work requirements, current working tools and procedures, and interaction with others in the external environment.”
How many times have you checked out someone’s time management or organization program only to find that not only do you need to buy their “stuff” in order to get organized, but you also have to learn an entirely new program and procedures.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’m really busy. I’m busy running a successful copywriting and ghost writing business. I’m busy with 3 teenaged kids, each who have their own schedules, activities and needs. I’m busy being the wife of the director of the largest cultural center in Toulon, which brings with it certain work and social obligations, and I’m busy living my own very happy, socially engaged life.
So yes, I recognize that there are things I can – and should – be doing better. There are procedures and systems I currently use that need to be either updated or replaced. That’s why I started looking for a new organization system in the first place.
But it’s precisely because my life is full and I’m so involved in so many things that I don’t want to spend a lot of time learning a completely new program or system. The probability that trying to get organized would result in a complete upheaval of my life was my biggest reason for hesitating and not doing something sooner.
And so that’s why I chose David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” program. Because it takes into account where I am right now, as well as where I want to be. And they work with what I’ve already got – but they show me how to make it work better. I like that.
Update on Our Move:
I thought about what Kris suggested – figuring out a really good system for labeling our boxes. I spent a little time reading through some of the posts on the Fresh Focus Blog, and looking at the different links. Here’s what I came up with – and if you have suggestions, I’d love to hear them:
I bought a recipe card box and recipe cards. It’s my new “Mission Control Center” for our move, and will contain our “Master Inventory List” as well as important information, names and contact info for the movers, the utility companies, our landlords, etc.
Here’s how it works: I’ve given each room in the house a number. (Our Living Room is #1, the Kitchen is #2, The bathrooms are #3 and 4, etc.)
So as we’re packing, each box get labeled first with the room’s number, and then with a letter. So the first box to be packed is ‘A’, the second one is ‘B’ and so on. (Although I don’t expect to have more than 26 boxes per room, if I do, I’ll start all over again and use double letters.) Each box is labeled on all sides and top and bottom with a permanent magic marker, big enough it can be seen from across the room.
As each box is being packed, the person packing it writes down on a sheet of paper what goes into the box. And then they give that list to me, and I copy it down onto the appropriately labeled recipe card and file it under the right room number.
Then the paper inventory is securely taped to the inside of the box’s lid or flap.
So, example, my laundry room is #9 and I just packed a box of extra sheets and pillowcases. (For now I’m leaving two sets of sheets and pillow cases and bolsters per bed.) So, since it was the first box I packed, it was labeled #9A.
Here’s what I like about this system:
- It’s simple, easy to use and easy to keep up on
- It’s not expensive
- I don’t have to be in charge of doing all the packing. The kids can pack their own stuff, and everyone can help with the public rooms of the house, and things will still stay organized.
- The recipe box is sturdy, and it’s small enough to fit inside my purse or briefcase, so it’s easily portable.
- Since the information isn’t on my laptop, I’m not going to have to stop working or endure other interruptions to find something for someone – they can look it up in the file themselves.
- We don’t have to try to pack one room at a time, because of the labeling system
- We can pack boxes and rooms as we have time, so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming
- For right now the boxes are going into a storage room. When it’s time to move they can be easily grouped together by room number, making it easier for the movers to unload and put the boxes right into the room they belong in
- It makes it easier for us to unpack, because we know exactly what needs to go where based on the inventory
- If we need to find something before, during or after the move, we don’t have to waste time or rip through boxes looking for something – we’ll know exactly which box it’s in
Also, I’ve started a box of “First Night” stuff. This is for things I think we’re going to need for our first night in the new apartment – for example, a favorite family DVD, and a board game, paper plates, napkins and plastic forks, and a saucepan, a frying pan and spatula. I’m also adding a flashlight with batteries, a traveling alarm clock, dish towels, bath towels, etc.
As I think of something we will probably need, it goes into the box right now – and onto my Master Inventory List. And if it’s something I don’t have, it goes onto my shopping list, so I can get it and then put it into the box.
Oh, and I decided I’m going to have everyone pack their own backpack or overnight case, filled with each person’s chosen “necessities”. That way, everyone will have their pajamas, toothbrush, a change of clothes, etc., with them when we get to the new apartment and it’s one less thing I have to be in charge of.
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Cheryl Antier is an American writer who makes her living by painting pictures with words while living her dream life on the French Riviera. With her business partner Dan Shaw, she runs the “Writer’s Business Academy” and helps new writers learn how to market themselves and build wildly successful writing businesses. Check out www.writersbusinessacademy.biz/reports – to get five free reports that will help you find your ideal clients, make more money and build your own lifestyle writing business starting right now.
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