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Getting Things Done
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The art of stress-free productivity Somehow the words stress-free and productivity don't quite seem to go together. As a matter of fact, they seem more like complete opposites! With so much to do in our modern world, it truly seems as if the "to do" list and piles of projects just continue to grow and grow as we look away in an effort to keep our blood pressure below the danger zone!
Getting Things Done offers fundamental practices to a more efficient workflow. The book starts with a philosophical review of how we tend to approach the demands of our jobs and our families. Brilliantly simple but seldom identified, the following concepts are pinnacle in creating a successful method of managing our commitments:
- If it's on your mind, your mind isn't clear
- You must clarify exactly what your commitment is and decide what you have to do
- Keep reminders of commitments organized in a system you review regularly
The book moves on to take you step by step through a process of getting your "stuff" under control and creating a system that you can manage. The core process entails a five-stage method for managing workflow:
- Collect things that command our attention
- Process what they mean and what to do about them
- Organize the results
- Review in an effort to keep the system functional
- Do what needs to be done
I found that I had to read the book from cover to cover then go back and read the chapters that took me step by step through the process of building a system. After collecting all of my "stuff", I realized it was no wonder why I always felt so burdened by all the things needing my attention. I had pile after pile and list after list and no central place to store the information. Additionally, I had no successful system to review my commitments. The long and the short of it - take the time to read and re-read Getting Things Done. Put into practice a calmer approach to living in this crazy fast-paced world. I did and am so pleased with the results!
Here is your road map to achieving stress-free productivity. You will experience immediate benefits when you use these tips and tricks to help you get-and stay-on top of it all.
Getting Things Done-The Art of Stress-Free Productivity is David's proven guide to staying on top of it all in a world where communication and responsibilities are increasing exponentially. Part I describes the game, Part II coaches you through implementing the system, and Part III explores the subtler and more profound benefits you will experience when you incorporate these core principles and proven tricks into your work and your life.
Visit Penguin Books for more information.
David Allen is an international author, lecturer, and founder and President of the David Allen Company, a management consulting, coaching, and training company.
In the last twenty years he has developed and implemented productivity improvement programs for over a half million professionals in hundreds of organizations worldwide, including many Fortune 500 corporations and U.S. Government agencies. He delivers public and in-house seminars, executive workflow coaching, and consulting programs that address interactive and organizational productivity and alignment issues.
Having logged thousands of hours working with individual executives and senior professionals, David has developed a revolutionary, unique and highly practical system for improving personal and organizational productivity.
He is the author of two books -the international best-selling book, Getting Things Done: the Art of Stress-Free Productivity (Viking; 2001) and Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life (Viking; 2003). He has published numerous essays and articles in professional journals and periodicals on the topic of personal effectiveness. More than 150 of his original essays have been featured in his e-newsletter, "David Allen's Productivity Principles," with a global readership of more than 43,000 people. He is a popular keynote speaker on the topics of time and stress management, individual and team productivity, and high performance work practices.
"We continue to explore the connection between the simple and the sublime. The most powerful techniques and principles are usually the most basic - applied. But there is an art to implementation and application, and that is our frontier.
It is not hard to understand conceptually the value of outcome thinking and next-action decision-making. But installing that as the standard for processing everything in life and work, and systematizing the results so the right things happen most easily, elegantly, and efficiently - that's black belt behavior. There are always new and bigger horizons to conquer, but getting there in style - a really effective and sustainable style - is a fabulous end in itself."
Publisher: Penguin Books (January, 2003)
Format: Paperback 267 pages
Language: English
ISBN: 0142000280
Product Dimensions: 8.0 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
QUOTES: "One of the world's most influential thinkers on productivity." - Fast Company Magazine
about jeni...
Nationally-recognized author, speaker and corporate trainer, Jeni Herberger leverages 18 years experience within the design industry providing others with practical strategies on doing business better and living life fuller.
"I want to take the opportunity to share with you just a few of the books I believe hold philosophies and practices that enhance our lives. Besides that, you just can't beat a good book!"
Jeni is a featured speaker at the 2007 How Design Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 10 – 13 and the In-HOWse Designer Conference in Austin, Texas, September 9 – 11.