OK, real post today. There's a sort of small epiphany I wanted to share, which like all good discoveries is nothing but the not-so-common common sense. There exist several methods and systems to help people organize their projects, improve their productivity and deal with procrastination. I myself am working with a blend of (at least) two. The common promise is that by applying the method, you'll learn how to unstick your projects, move them forward and enjoy the empowerment of productivity, while enabling you to enjoy your personal and professional life in a much deeper level.
Which is most probably true! Few things are as rewarding as that tingling sense of achievement when you feels things are finally starting to flow. But then, the usual exposition of these systems usually has a very critical blind spot, which is this: the implementation, maintenance and mastering of these systems is a project in and of itself, one which deserves and needs to be managed with a trusted system. Notice the circularity? Ah, the dear old bootstrapping problem. The solution is fairly obvious-—divide the system into small, manageable chunks, choose one to start with, review them as you go along. In other words, the very same advice the systems themselves give you.
I know, I know, this sounds more like a "duh" moment than an "aha" one. Or maybe a "d'oh" one =)
7 comments:
personally I think Zen Habits said it best, "in order for most of these system to function they have to work seamlessly, to come to you instinctively, naturally and with no hesitation, in short, they need to be a habit"
in other words
productivity take's up as much mental energy as procrastination, when it's done right
Indeed! On the other hand, building up such habits takes time and effort, which is more or less the point of the post: you need a trusted system to help you implement your trusted system.
"you need a trusted system to build a trusted system"
(here's a really crazy thought)
in that case, if you need to use a trusted system to build a trusted system then do so:
use David Allen's system, NOT the idea/concept of his system like you find in his book, HIS SYSTEM, use the actual system he is personally using at this moment, have him put in his folders the actions that you need to take to build your system, use him(the person) who will function as a working trusted system to help you build your trusted system
the logic is twisted but simple-
you need a trusted system to build your own trusted system, there is someone who is maintains and has a trusted system |- "outsource" till your system is up and running
the crazy part is that if he fails to help you build your system-his system has leaks
in short: use the functioning module to build your functioning system
(Sidenote: w00t! I officially have my first regular!)
I assume that's his main source of income (unless the GTD books and paraphernalia sell better) ;)
While I'm not sure hiring "The David" himself is the most cost-effective way to do it, I concur with you that getting some good external coaching is sometimes what you need.
OTOH, there are less extreme ways to bootstrap than passing your life through a world-renowned productivity expert. It takes longer, but you get the geeky fun of tweaking and hacking as you go.
And of course his system has leaks! We're trying to put a solid, sharp frame around the fuzziest, fastest-moving target we'll ever meet... Any such system will have leaks. The sooner you learn to fix them, the better -- otherwise your choice of plumber will lead you to quick bankruptcy =)
no not in GP
o.o ?
this why there should be an edit button
you wrote:
"otherwise your choice of plumber will lead you to quick bankruptcy"
I wanted to respond
"no not in the GP"
though i later realized that
"no not my GP"
is better
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