GTD Phase 5: Do, Part I

Originally published 5 Apr 2006

[Note: this is the final phase of the GTD process, as outlined in Chapter 2 of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (aff) by David Allen]

Doing

Ah, yes, DOING. The precursor to DONE. As in Getting Things DONE.

(I also believe that the GTD methods also allow you to take a guilt-free break, but that’s for another post)

David Allen presents three models to use to determine what to do at any given point. I’ll be hones: the first through this book I blew through this section, because part of it reminded me too much of the “roles” of Seven Habits, which I had used to overwhelm myself a few years ago. This time through the book, though, I’m really considering it, and I’ve drawn some conclusions about each method.

I am tackling this last phase in three parts, mainly because I found that my notes on the total were too much for one post. So I will address each of the methodologies presented in this phase separately.

Method 1: The Four Criteria Model For Choosing Actions In The Moment

The four criteria are: context, time available, energy available and priority.

This method is best suited to my non-work time. As a contractor, my tasks and priorities are delivered to me to be done in one context (@Client) regardless of my energy levels.

Outside of work is a different story, though. I use my context to help me stay focused, and I take into account the other three. For instance, you won’t find me cleaning the carpet in the living room at 11 PM (energy low) or when I have to leave in 15 minutes (time available) or when dinner is cooking on the stove (priority).

Also, thanks to Flylady, most of my household tasks can be done in 15 minutes or less. This gives me the freedom to stop at the allotted time and to also make sure that my tasks are do-able at this level. I may not have the energy to clean the whole carpet, but I could spot clean or prep in 15 minutes. Arguably, these could be next actions in the project of “clean living room carpet.”