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13. I have a folder marked “inbox” on my computer for downloaded files.
Oh, boy. I go waaaaaaaaaaay overboard on this one.

Since I am an eyecandy freak, I have millions of files, but they are ALL organized. I have over 20GB of fonts, 60GB of graphic files, applications, etc They are all very well organized so that I can find them easily. My folder levels run 3-5 deep sometimes, but I always know where to find everything. And I NEVER keep the “My Documents” folder on my C:/ drive: I always move it to another drive altogether. If the OS crashes, I cannot afford to lose that folder. It is also backed up every two days to MozyPro. I have an account there which allows me unlimited backup quantity for $9.99/month.You CANNOT be productive if you lose your data!

14. I have a tickler file or reminder system in place which is fun and fast to use.
I have a physical inbox that I use as my tickler file. Things get weeded out weekly and those that are not complete are placed back in the basket in chronological order, so that I can go through them next time.

15. I have a paper file system which is fun and fast to use, perhaps using an automatic labeler.
You bet I do! I have brightly colored orange, green and blue deep pocket hanging file folders which contain orange file folders to separate the larger category into smaller once. Things get filed away once a week, or whenever I have enough to file. I do it when I have a pile about an inch high – I can breeze through it in no time!

I enjoy these posts more and more, because it shows me what a looooooong way I’ve come in regards to be organized. It makes me feel so much better! Next post will be about a FANTASTIC website I’ve found that will put all your online chores in one place! No it’s not like Netvibes or iGoogle….it’s totally revolutionary! Stay tuned!

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10. I have listened to GTD on audiobook.
I was just thinking today that I wanted to try and track down a copy of it! Since I restored my iPod (don’t ever let your battery go dead – you’ll lose everything) I’d like to put it on there so that I can tune the people out at work and tune in David Allen. I would even recommend listening to it while you sleep: it’s amazing what the subconscious can pick up while sleeping that the conscious mind can’t dream of catching while it’s awake! It’s great for those of us with a long commute to work, or those of you that fly a great deal: great to tune out the drone of the plane.

11. I have a list for tracking “Waiting For” items.
Of course! It’s kept in GTDInbox – there is a special label just for “Waiting”. If I don’t have access to a computer, I’ll just write it down and upload it when I can. Soon, though, I’ll have Gmail with me everywhere. We can get a wicked deal on a BlackBerry right now, so we are finally taking the plunge and getting one. My mail and calendar will be with me always. I was checking out the BB applications today and they have one that syncs your Google Calendar with your BB calendar – now that’s a function that I will use daily!

12. I have lists for tracking “loaned out stuff” and “stuff I’m borrowing.”
At present, I have nothing loaned out and nothing borrowed. If I did, though, I would definitely keep a list of it somewhere. With the sieve that likes to call itself my brain, I’d have no choice. I’d forget where I got what, who had what and for how long they had it! Loaning and borrowing things is a great way to be able to read and listen to things you might not otherwise buy. But it allows you to grow and learn, regardless!

I think at least two of these items are ones that you might not generally think about, so to have them included in this list is a great way to spark yet other things that should be included. Have you thought of anything yet that should be included?

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You've read the series, now get the E-Book! Special EXTRA material not included in the blog series, plus three FREE templates!! Templates included are Time Management Matrix, Goal worksheet, and The Completion Journal. Only $24.99 for the book!


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7. I always have a way to capture ideas and get them out of my head, in all contexts (notepad, laptop, voice recorder, etc.).
Indeed I do! My sieve, which likes to call itself a brain, certain can drop things and rather quickly too! I think of this analogy for for my brain: it’s like a big filing cabinet. When you are younger, you have lots of room in the drawers. As you grow older the drawers get fuller, but you can’t really go out and buy an extra filing cabinet. SO what happens is that the filing cabinet gets disorganized, or when files get put back they are dropped on the floor. So it’s not so easy to access them anymore. If I do not write things down immediately, I will forget them. I have my Circa Notebook which I keep in my work bag, plus my Circa MicroPDA, which is in my purse . GTDInbox gets all items, unless I am not by a computer, which is rare these days.

8. I have a place or places to keep Next Actions lists, accessible in the right context.
GTDInbox to the rescue again! All my next actions/actions/someday/waiting are keep there. I can access my Gmail from anywhere, so I can always add to it. This is where I keep all that good stuff. Can you tell that Google is my life?

9. I have a Master Projects List.
Oh, boy. Someone is going to have to spank me here….:O. I don’t have a Master Project List. What I do have, in Gmail via GTDInbox, is smaller lists that I write to myself that  contain project ideas, outlines, and all that happy stuff. I really need to sit down and make a big Master Project List. My SO has made one for the house renovations that we have to do, so I need to get it together and make one. I can say that I do use Outlook’s task list at work, which is my Master Project List. I heard not to long ago that people are going back to paper for planning instead of digital applications. I am still using both.

Wow – those are some great points! I really see a place where I need to buckle down and get my groove on! :O Have you found any points yet that you need to accomplish or strengthen?

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You've read the series, now get the E-Book! Special EXTRA material not included in the blog series, plus three FREE templates!! Templates included are Time Management Matrix, Goal worksheet, and The Completion Journal. Only $24.99 for the book!


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For this post, we are going to go through the first three steps to GTD Mastery 100.

1. I have read Getting Things Done from front to back.

This is recommended, as it’s a really good read! If it’s something you cannot afford right now, check out online book borrowing clubs here or make a trip to your local library. With the cost of gas these days, I’d check the  library’s online site to either reserve the book or make sure it is available when you want to go get it.

2. I have a calendar, which is always on hand.

And I do. The only time it is not on hand is when I am away from my computer. At those times, I carry a Circa MicroPDA.

At work, I use my Outlook calendar for my meetings and appointments.  I also use its task feature, which is MUCH more robust in MSO 2007. I got on our company’s beta testing team for MSO 2007 just so I could have this feature.

For home, I use Google calendar. I use it for all our appointments. What’s great about Google Calendar is that you can send it to someone that uses Outlook, and it will put the item in their calendar as well when they accept the invitation. My SO shares this calendar with the supervisor  so that he is aware of when appointments are scheduled so he can have someone cover. I also share our appointment calendar with my Dad, and he shares their calendar with me.  It appears right on our calendars in a color which we chose so we always know when the other will be away from the house. You can also set complete calendars or just specific entries to private status.

3. I use my calendar for appointments and day-specific items only.

This is an important one. A calendar is not a to do list: there are different applications/ methods for that. Calendar should include items that pertain to you not being where you usually are: if you are suppose to be at home and your not, or if you are supposed to be at your desk and your not. Meetings, doctors’ appointments, eating dinner out with your co-workers after work, etc. A calendar can get way to cluttered with items if you use it as a to do list.

We’ve covered three good points in this post. Do you have any suggestions at implementing these points? I’d love to hear them! Please comment below!

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You've read the series, now get the E-Book! Special EXTRA material not included in the blog series, plus three FREE templates!! Templates included are Time Management Matrix, Goal worksheet, and The Completion Journal. Only $24.99 for the book!


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