My System for Getting Things Done

To start with, I’m a big fan of David Allen‘s Getting Things Done, and Scott Belsky‘s Making Ideas Happen, and Michael Hyatt’s tips on his blog.

Over the years, I’ve established my own system that seems to work for me. Thought I would share it. Let me admit - I don’t necessarily recommend the system I’ve instituted for myself. I would recommend implementing a system the experts recommend, and ultimately just some kind of system, whatever it looks like.

Again, whatever your preference - just establish some kind of system! That is the key in my opinion… having a system that works. For you.

But for me, the following system works:

1. I keep a “to-do” list in my drafts on my Outlook (for Mac). Right now I have around 125 items in this list. This is where every task, to do item, action item, or follow-up is recorded. If not at my computer, I will record in my Moleskine or iPhone and then put in the to-do list once a week.
2. I keep at least three folders around my desk – action items folder, reference folder, and backburner folder. This is taken directly from Scott’s book and his methodology. These folders are for papers, documents, printed emails, etc. that need to be kept in physical format not just digital format.
3. Moleskine for capturing ideas, taking notes, and thinking/dreaming. Any to-do items are transferred to my to-do list on my computer once a week at least. The key on this is capturing big ideas and thinking/dreaming - have at least one place you capture those kinds of ideas.
4. Email inbox - I try and keep my inbox to under 20 emails daily. If it gets to be more than that, it becomes too much of a distraction. I don’t use my inbox as a “to-do” list. Anything that can go on a “to-do” list goes on the “to-do” draft in #1 above.
5. Evernote to capture notes from meetings, cool websites, videos, etc. Mainly use Evernote for capturing things from the web.
6. I receive all of my email. But in terms of responding to email and other requests, I try to forward as much as possible to my assistant. Not because I don’t want to respond personally, but more because it frees me up to focus more of my time on items that only I can do - speaker selection, programming, strategy, planning, new business development, strategic partnerships, etc.
7. I keep a very detailed system of folders in my inbox. But more for reference, and not for follow-up or action. Emails only go in these folders once they have been completed or followed-up on. But having them in folders for reference is incredibly important, especially when trying to remember what’s been done in the past.
8. One Excel spreadsheet that is a “catch all.” Your name is probably on it!! I have a spreadsheet for capturing names, speakers from the past, speakers for the future, bloggers, influential leaders, young leaders, etc. It drives Michelle, my assistant, crazy and our entire team crazy. But it works for me as this is the place where I can brain dump every name or idea or new relationship.
9. Creative boards for planning and programming. I’ve mentioned the creative boards before. They are instrumental in programming events as well as planning for the future. Provides a visual strategy that is easily changeable.
10. A few physical folders around major areas of organizational focus. I keep a few folders in my office tied to different projects, events, and areas of organizational focus (for example, “staff reviews”), but try and limit these folders as much as possible. The goal is digital storage whenever we can.
11. Our team does very FEW meetings. We don’t meet “just to meet.” We meet only if needed. This helps tremendously in allowing time to move things towards completion and ultimately getting things done. I’ve found that many organizations put meetings on the schedule just because it’s been done that way before. Not with us.

How about you? What is your system for getting things done?