Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

by David Allen

Since it was first published almost fifteen years ago, David Allen’s Getting Things Done has become one of the most influential business books of its era, and the ultimate book on personal organization. “GTD” is now shorthand for an entire way of approaching professional and personal tasks, and has spawned an entire culture of websites, organizational tools, seminars, and offshoots.

Allen has rewritten the book from start to finish, tweaking his classic text with important perspectives on the new workplace, and adding material that will make the book fresh and relevant for years to come. This new edition of Getting Things Done will be welcomed not only by its hundreds of thousands of existing fans but also by a whole new generation eager to adopt its proven principles.

Genres: Productivity, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Personal Development, Self Help

Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

David Allen is an American author and productivity consultant. He created the time management method Getting Things Done.

Reviews

[Joanna Colclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a choleric First Born Child, eldest daughter, and eldest grandchild, this system spoke to the need to do it all perfectly, all the time. Sure it made it possible, but only by first establishing limits. I got to take the full GTD course at work and it super helped my work organization.

Key takeaways: you can’t keep everything in your head so write it down in a system of lists that you routinely revisit. Identify the Next Immediate Thing to do for each project or task, and that is what you write down. You have to be ok with what you are not doing at this moment (what you are not doing is saved for later on a list).
One of the goals of this system is to live more fully in the present moment and that’s a great thing!

[Akarsh Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough book to get into and go through. The author writes long-winded sentences and goes on a lot about the philosophy of the system. There is a lot of value in the philosophy, but its like digging through dirt for diamonds.
The system and philosophy itself is invaluable, hence the 4 stars. The 3 biggest takeaways for me has been the 2 minute rule, keeping my calendar sacrosanct and not leaving a single thought or Idea in my mind un-noted. The philosophy discussion gives depth to the system, if you survive the trenches of the word warfare that this book is.
I'd strongly recommend the book if you struggle with anxiety-driven procrastination. But, the patience needed to drag your eyes through walls of text will be the primary challenge.

[سليمان العوشن · Rating 4 out of 5]

فأنت حين تقرأ هذا الكتاب تشعر وكأن المؤلف يخاطبك مباشرة ليمنحك مفاتيح عملية لتحرير ذهنك من الفوضى اليومية. إن الفكرة التي يطرحها، وهي أن عقلك ليس مستودعاً للمهام بل أداة للإبداع، تفتح أمامك أفقاً جديداً لإدارة حياتك بطريقة أكثر هدوءاً وفاعلية. ستجد نفسك تتأمل في عاداتك اليومية، وتدرك كم من الطاقة تُهدر فقط لأنك تحاول التذكر باستمرار. إن منهجية GTD ليست مجرد تقنية، بل أسلوب حياة يساعدك على الانتقال من التوتر والارتباك إلى الصفاء والوضوح. ومع أن الالتزام الكامل بهذا النظام قد يبدو مرهقاً في البداية، إلا أنك ستكتشف مع الوقت أن نتائجه تتجاوز الإنتاجية لتصل إلى راحة البال والشعور بالسيطرة على مسار حياتك. هذا الكتاب، في نظري، يخاطبك لتعيد صياغة علاقتك بالعمل والزمن معاً

تابعني على شبكات التواصل الاجتماعي

سليمان العوشن

http://about.me/aloshan

[Mayra Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for ways to boost your productivity and reduce stress? Look no further than David Allen's book, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity." In this revised version, Allen provides updated tips and tricks for staying organized in the modern age, including how to effectively use smartphones, tablets, and organizational programs. Whether you're looking to improve your productivity at work or at home, this book is a must-read. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn the art of stress-free productivity! #productivity #organization #bookrecommendation

[Ventsislav Buhlev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend this book.

I find the GTD system very interesting, well thought, and worth exploring. Even if you do not end adopting the proposed system in its entirety, you will find plenty of inspiration for improving your productivity.

However, the writing style is perhaps too cumbersome and sometimes boring or difficult to follow. The ideas could easily be expressed in fewer words. I would have easily given 4 or 5 rating if it was not that.

[Rafael Angelo · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I read this book around the 2000s my review would be different.
This book could be summarized in a one pager instead of 300 pages - “remove all tasks from your mind, organize them, and review them frequently.”
In addition, the book is dated and focus too much on physical tools instead of digital to drive productivity.
There are many other better books on the topic, so I do not recommend it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to know how to rate this. I guess if I follow through on the suggestions and get more “things done” I could rate it 5 * but if not? Anyway it came up in a list of suggested readings in either the NY Times or the New Yorker and since I could get the audiobook from the library I thought, why not?

[Daniel Arce Carnero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must confess that this book is pretty much all you need for being productive, although it covers just the basics. Moreover, it could be condensed in far less pages, most of it is just meaningless experiences.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The method taught in this book is really helpful.
It's all about the method not the tools used to get it done. Nice approach.
A bit too long for my style, but I think some people will find it easier that way.

[3Sunbeams]

Worthwhile tips!

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. This book could have been an email.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, good information, a bit repetative.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why I keep buying these books about organizing. I'm already so organized that I annoy my husband to no end. Maybe I should make my husband read this one.

[Benjamin Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few “self-help” and productivity books worth reading

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information is very basic. It's common sense. If you have read other books in this same topic, this is going to feel like you are reading a productivity 101 type of book.

[Lian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book does come with great points. As someone who's constantly working on improving time management skills and to actually get things done in an effective manner, I enjoyed the first part of the book. Part two and part three could however just be thrown out.

The irony behind these kinds of books, is that they are way to long and they circle around the same few points for about 300-pages. It surely does not align with the message, but we still read them. Hoping to find that magic fairydust that will transform our lives, only to be left disappointed.

[Ginger Newingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry, but so helpful already. I’ll need to revisit in a few months. Already making changes to ensure it sticks!