Using Bonsai With Getting Things Done: Keywords
Posted on May 7, 2007 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Productivity,Software
Keywords
Keywords make it easy for me to classify my items into my Areas of Focus. I also use Keywords to note items that are only one item long, i.e. a Single Next Action (SNA).
Areas of Focus
My areas of focus were generated over a several month span. I started by working through the Covey roles, listing those roles that I play in life. I then modified the areas using Steve Pavlina’s article on setting focus. I was able to determine what areas my life would need to spread around in order to achieve some semblance of balance, without overload. These are a work in progress, but I’ve stuck with this particular list now for a few months, and I’m pretty satisfied with them.
My Areas of Focus are:
- Adventure: for items that push my boundaries
- Consumer: for items I wish to purchase
- Creativity: this includes all of my crafting, music, etc.
- Family: for my family roles, including parent, daughter, etc.
- Financial: things that impact my finances
- Home: for things applying to my home
- Partner: while this could have been wrapped up in family, making sure I focus on my partner is essential.
- Physical: including things like health, appearance, etc.
- Self Improvement: for reading, growth, etc.
- Service: for service to the community and organizations
- Social: for making sure I have a social life
- Spiritual: for spiritual growth issues
- Work: for all things that I do in my profession.
Other Keywords
In addition to my Areas of Focus, I have two others, classified until Type: AOF (Areas of Focus) and SNA (Single Next Action). These two play an important part in my filters.
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Comments (1)














For those with the PDA program LifeBalance, these are great suggestions for categories. Life Balance gives you a pie chart showing you how you’re doing in balancing your life. I set my Life Balance categories up improperly, more like task categories, so the balance piechart hasn’t been helpful. I think I’ll try to reorganize to use these categories.