So on to book number two, “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. This book is a must for anyone who is trying to get organized, or anyone who has to use there brain for there job. Unless you’re bagging fries, this book will be a great asset to you at work and at home.
The key to understanding this book and it’s method of organizing is realizing that you;
A/ Can’t remember anything without writing it down in its proper place
B/ The worst thing you can do for your stress level is try and keep a mental list of anything
C/ You shouldn't agree to anything you probably don't have time to complete
The book also gets a little deeper into what things you should be doing in the different roles out of your life. It doesn't just tell you how to organize things but it gives you ideas regarding which areas of your life you should be looking for "Action Items.” An action item is anything that you need to do. Email your boss , cut the grass, call your mother are ell examples of “Action Items.” If an action item has more than one step than it needs to be a project , for instance "call you boss" could be a single on action item about calling your boss to tell him you want vacation time in July. If you don't know exactly when you need time off , you may need to turn it into a project with multiple action items (see below).
Mini Project - Book vacation time with boss
1. email wife to see what time she has off work
2. email other coworkers to see if your vacation has any conflicts
3. email HR to see how many vacation days we have left
4. call friend Bob to get the name of that resort that he stayed in last year
5. login to air miles site and check balance
6 email gramma about watching kids for a week in July
As you can see a one step action item can turn into a multi action project with 5 different people involved.
This book will really help you GET THINGS DONE. Its available in audio book and paper back. It is a must read for any one who needs to sort through the piles of information and to-dos and emails that are all wanting there attention.
I personally have been using this method since 2008 and have found it irreplaceable.
Aaron Weir
Leadwave Technologies Inc.
www.leadwave.ca
(519)704-1463
