I'm sorry, I hate it about myself that my MO when giving advice is to suggest more research and reading to people who are already overwhelmed. I just don't always know how to accurately summarize all the things I found valuable.
But I just re-read the book in February, and did so with the bullet journal method in mind. For example, David Allen says, "To manage actionable things, you will need * a list of projects, * storage or files for project plans and materials, * a calendar, * a list of reminders of next actions, * a list of reminders of things you are waiting for."
I figure the lists go in the BuJo. The next question is how to categorize or manage the lists. Using "contexts" is a key part of GTD…but it never really worked for me either. Too much organization getting in the way of actually just putting things where they belong and doing them. But signifiers or colored highlighting or something might be enough to help you scan the bigger list, and find the things you can actually do with the tools and environment you have now. On a busy day I hate seeing un-checked boxes for things I can't actually do until I leave the house for errands, so I throw a little "E" in front of those tasks, and now my brain can scan right past them when looking for things to do at home, you know?
Another GTD "thing" is that if the task will take less than 2 minutes, don't even put it on a list. Just do it. It's trite but it helps me.
I'm also prone to wicked imposter syndrome, and to last-minute cramming. Something I tell myself when I take on a role of responsibility to others and I freak out that I'm not qualified, is that someone has to do it. And at the moment, I happen to have the experience and skill to do it. So there's probably nobody better, even if I don't feel like I'm the best choice. Also, while throwing together a draft when the pressure gets strong enough is a method that's working, it's also stressful, yeah? Would it be less stressful if you could look at the deadline, backtrack a few days or a week and give yourself a mini-deadline to do a really shitty first draft or an outline, or something that would make the final push a little less insane?
Sounds like some stuff is coming together to help you get a handle on things. TGIF indeed!!
But I just re-read the book in February, and did so with the bullet journal method in mind. For example, David Allen says, "To manage actionable things, you will need * a list of projects, * storage or files for project plans and materials, * a calendar, * a list of reminders of next actions, * a list of reminders of things you are waiting for."
I figure the lists go in the BuJo. The next question is how to categorize or manage the lists. Using "contexts" is a key part of GTD…but it never really worked for me either. Too much organization getting in the way of actually just putting things where they belong and doing them. But signifiers or colored highlighting or something might be enough to help you scan the bigger list, and find the things you can actually do with the tools and environment you have now. On a busy day I hate seeing un-checked boxes for things I can't actually do until I leave the house for errands, so I throw a little "E" in front of those tasks, and now my brain can scan right past them when looking for things to do at home, you know?
Another GTD "thing" is that if the task will take less than 2 minutes, don't even put it on a list. Just do it. It's trite but it helps me.
I'm also prone to wicked imposter syndrome, and to last-minute cramming. Something I tell myself when I take on a role of responsibility to others and I freak out that I'm not qualified, is that someone has to do it. And at the moment, I happen to have the experience and skill to do it. So there's probably nobody better, even if I don't feel like I'm the best choice. Also, while throwing together a draft when the pressure gets strong enough is a method that's working, it's also stressful, yeah? Would it be less stressful if you could look at the deadline, backtrack a few days or a week and give yourself a mini-deadline to do a really shitty first draft or an outline, or something that would make the final push a little less insane?
Sounds like some stuff is coming together to help you get a handle on things. TGIF indeed!!
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