I have given this talk at the SLO Code Camp and the SoCal Code Camp in San Diego

1. Getting Things Done (GTD)For Developers Woody Pewitt Technical Evangelist DevExpress woodyp@devexpress.com woody@pewitt.org

2. What Getting Things Done is not!

4. What Getting Things Done is!

5. Getting Things Done Getting Things Done is an organizational method created by David Allen, described in a book of the same name. The Getting Things Done method rests on the principle that a person needs to move tasks out of the mind by recording them externally. That way, the mind is freed from the job of remembering everything that needs to be done, and can concentrate on actually performing those tasks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done

7. Know your Self!

8. Mind Like Water

9. “Always On My Mind” What “stuff” is on your mind right now? Up to 7 things at once, maybe 10… “Mismanaged commitment = WORRY.” “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning” -Winston Churchill

11. Set Limitations (Haiku) By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in everything you do, learn to set limitations. By choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. Always choose the essential to maximize your time and energy. -from “The Power of LESS,” by Leo Babauta (p. 5)

12. Learn To Set Limits Email–Why check every 5 seconds? Text/Chat–Useful or distracting? Web Browsing–Really need to know that? “We” may be addicted… Single-tasking, not multi-tasking–Focus. Focus on the present, now. When overwhelmed and paralyzed, start with one little thing… and then repeat.

13. Get Out Of My Mind! Externalize things–OUT of your head! “Distributed Cognition” Simply write it down Basic pen/pencil and pad An app that takes only a few seconds to use Something easy to refer to or manage A SYSTEM to manage it all…

14. A Two-Minute Video WorkFastTV http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/david-allen-on-getting-things-done-0 :40 to 2:20

15. Five Stages Of Workflow Collect Process Organize Review & Reflect Do (Actions)

16. 1. Collect Mental collection EVERYTHING on your mind Physical collection On your desk In your desk Around your desk, including old files 100% of your “incompletes”

17. 2. Process Is this actionable or not? Yes – Next action No – Trash, someday/maybe, or reference. Does it take less than 2 minutes? DO IT (now) Delegate it (to someone else) Defer it (waiting on something/someone)

18. "My three most important productivity tools are: The Trash Can, The Delete Key, and The Word 'No.’”- Patrick Rhone

19. 3. Organize Projects Actions (tasks) or Projects (more than one) Calendar (is sacred territory) Time/day-specific actions

20. 4. Review & Reflect Review to keep things off of your mind Cleanup, update, and delete Thorough weekly review

21. 5. Do (Actions) Context (Home, office, time, season) Time available (9:00 a.m. or 5:59 p.m.) Energy available Priority—What has the highest payoff? “You have more to do than you can possibly do. You just need to feel good about your choices.” –David Allen

22. Five Stages Of Workflow (again) Collect Process Organize Review & Reflect Do (Actions)

23. Six-Level Model For Review Runway: Current actions 10,000 ft: Current projects 20,000 ft: Ares of responsibility 30,000 ft: One- to two-year goals 40,000 ft: Three- to five-year vision 50,000+ ft: Life

24. Capture/Collection Tools Pen/pencil and paper Physical in-basket iPhone, Blackberry, Droid Voice-recording devices Email Software like Outlook, OneNote…

25. Go Get Things Done! Set limitations for yourself. Get a system that works for you. Feel good about your own decisions. Learn “the art of stress-free productivity.”

26. Online Resources Visual Studio http://wpew.it/97Nm36 David Allen www.davidco.com Leo Babauta www.zenhabits.net Merlin Mann www.43folders.com

27. Thanks For Listening! Questions?