Hello, my overextended friend! Do you feel like your mind is exploding with information? Like your “to do” items are pinging around like pinballs in your head? Maybe your brain is so overloaded that you’re writing out reminders in steam on the shower door… Oh wait, is that just me? Anyway, you get my point. I feel your pain!

If this sounds like a day in the life of your mind, keep reading. You can’t wait another moment to start following David Allen’s Getting Things Done philosophy. I know what you’re thinking right now. “If I had time to read a book, I wouldn’t be reading this right now!” Touché, my friend.

Start here, first. This post will walk you through my favorite takeaways from David Allen’s life changing principles.

After first learning about Getting Things Done, I started implementing these principles three years ago. Here are the three biggest takeaways that changed my life for good.

GET IT OUT OF YOUR MIND AND INTO YOUR SYSTEM

Your brain is meant for more than storing information and to-dos. By following a system you can trust, you are freeing your brain so it can clearly tackle the complex demands of today’s world.

David Allen's process is broken down into five stages Capture > Process > Organize > Review > Engage. You can check out this video for an in-depth tutorial on this process, but here is a quick breakdown.

First, capture all incoming information in one central place. For example, forward all of your incoming items to one email box, or continually update an ongoing "notes" list as information comes in. When you do this reliably, you know the information is being captured in one place. Your mind is free from the fear of missing something.

Next, it’s time to process those items by asking yourself a few questions. Start with, “is this actionable?” If it is not actionable, either discard it or file it away. However, if it is actionable, follow-up by asking, “can I do it in 2 minutes?” If you can, do it now! If you can’t, add it to a next action list (more on that in a moment) and move onto the Organize phase.

FIND A WAY TO ORGANIZE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

According to David Allen, the organize phase consists of creating and arranging a list of next actions by project, time, or context. For each item in your inbox, start by asking yourself, "what is the next action I need to take to complete this item?" For instance, if you've been asked to organize your aunt's birthday party, you would not add, "plan party" to your next action list. "Plan party" is actually an example of a project, because it will take multiple actions to complete. A better example of a next action is, "research possible party venues." This is the very next action in a string of actions that will lead to you throwing your aunt a party. Once that action has been completed, you will add the next action to your list. Perhaps, "call grandma to confirm party date."

Once you have identified your list of next actions, it is up to you to decide where you will keep it and how you will organize and maintain it. Personally, I compile my next action list using Airtable. This is a web-based database tool that I absolutely swear by. I keep it on my phone and open on my desktop so I can update it no matter where I am.

It took me three years and four different tools to finally find an organizational template that I love. I am thrilled to be able to save you that time and frustration by offering you my customizable Airtable template, absolutely free! Sign up to join our newsletter and receive your free template today. I can't wait to hear how it changes your life!

THE REVIEW IS CRUCIAL TO CLEARING YOUR MIND

The final two phases of David Allen’s Getting Things Done philosophy are to review and engage. Now, I will tell you honestly that when I first started integrating these practices into my own life, I thought, “I’ll give this review a try. But I do not have time to be reviewing my organizational system on a weekly basis.” I quickly learned; I did not have time NOT to. By taking the time to review my system once a week, I set myself up to spend the rest of my time engaging and accomplishing, rather than hyperventilating and stressing. Now, when I hear the, "you have too much to do, you'll never get it done" voice starting to creep into my mind, I just look at my list and take it one task at a time.

Because of my organizational system, I know I can tackle whatever comes my way, and by putting these principles to work in your life, you can too!

This post is not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by David Allen or the David Allen Company, which is the creator of the Getting Things Done® system for personal productivity. GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of the David Allen Company For more information on the David Allen Company’s products the user may visit their website at www.davidco.com.