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.
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!
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
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.
I skimmed the last 15% of the book, but I consider it finished and not a DNF. The first 25% is pretty valuable and thought out, probably where you gain most of the useful, practical advice. The middle section on applying it is extremely dull, there are so many examples that it feels like reading a dictionary. I think some of the examples are actually useful when you compare it to your own goals and how you can categorize your priorities, but it gets to a point.... I think this is a type of book you reread when you need different principles, so maybe in the future that last 15% I will come back for, but right now the first 25% is enough.
There are moments where this feels very grindset-core, like the inclusion of this quote: "If you’re not consciously aware of putting forth the effort to exert self-guided integrated thinking . . . then you’re giving in to laziness and no longer control your life." by David Kekich which seems kind of polarizing when contrasted with many moments of empathy in this book like when he quotes "No person who can read is ever successful at cleaning out an attic." by Ann Landers. It's kind of a shame when this leaks out since there is genuinely good, practical advice in here.
Something I did find extremely funny was the author saying he's more laid back now than in previous editions, and you can tell because he's not wearing a tie on the cover anymore.
One of the strongest lessons I took from David Allen's book is that mental space is valuable. When we constantly remind ourselves about emails, projects, errands, deadlines, and promises, we are using our minds as storage systems instead of using them to think.
Getting Things Done provides a thoughtful alternative: capture what has your attention, clarify it, organize it appropriately, and review it consistently. David, the simplicity behind that framework is one of the reasons the book works so well. You have done an excellent job creating a productivity philosophy that feels applicable to real life.
I would love to have an audiobook version available on Spotify or Audiomack so these ideas could be revisited on the go.
David Allen's Getting Things Done deserves recognition for approaching productivity from the perspective of clarity rather than pressure.
The book helped me understand why having too many open loops can make even simple responsibilities feel exhausting. The idea of deciding the next physical action instead of vaguely telling yourself to “deal with it later” is particularly powerful.
David, you explained an everyday problem in a way that gives readers a practical method for dealing with it. That's excellent work. If an official Spotify or Audiomack audiobook exists, I would genuinely appreciate having access to it because this is the kind of book that benefits from repeated listening.
David Allen, I think one of the best things about Getting Things Done is that it isn't really a book you are supposed to finish and forget. It is a book you are supposed to practice.
The principles around capturing, clarifying, organizing, reviewing, and engaging give the reader a structure for dealing with the many things competing for attention. I especially appreciate the focus on turning vague responsibilities into clear outcomes and actionable next steps.
That has helped me look differently at the difference between being busy and actually being productive. Having a long list of things to do doesn't necessarily mean I'm making progress. Sometimes the real problem is that I haven't clarified what I am trying to accomplish or what action needs to happen next.
I genuinely respect the work that went into this book. You took a subject that can easily become filled with complicated advice and turned it into a framework that people can experiment with in real life.
One thing I would really appreciate as a reader is an official audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack. I think listening to the book would make it much easier to revisit the principles, absorb them gradually, and keep applying them over time.
Thank you for creating something that encourages people not merely to do more, but to work with greater clarity.
I found Getting Things Done especially useful because David Allen recognizes that productivity isn't just about having a long task list. It's about knowing what each commitment means, where it belongs, what action is required, and when it needs attention.
That distinction can completely change the way someone approaches work and personal responsibilities. David, you've done a great job making the system structured without making it feel impossible to implement.
The book gives readers a framework rather than another temporary productivity trick. I would be very happy to see an audiobook version available through Spotify or Audiomack because it would make the system even easier to revisit.
What makes David Allen's work stand out to me is the emphasis on trust. A productivity system is only useful if you actually trust that it contains what you need to remember.
Getting Things Done explains why capturing commitments externally can reduce the mental pressure of trying to remember everything.
David, this is one of the most practical contributions you've made to the productivity conversation. You didn't just encourage readers to become busier; you showed us how to become more intentional.
An audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack would be a fantastic complement to the book, especially for readers who want to reinforce the method through repetition.
I really appreciated the way David Allen separates projects from the individual actions needed to move those projects forward. That distinction sounds obvious after you understand it, but it can be transformative when you actually begin applying it.
Getting Things Done teaches readers to stop leaving vague projects floating around and instead identify what needs to happen next.
David, you did a fantastic job turning this into a repeatable system rather than simply offering inspirational advice. I would love to listen to an audiobook edition on Spotify or Audiomack if one is available because these are principles worth hearing more than once.
David Allen's greatest strength in Getting Things Done may be his ability to make productivity feel less like a battle against time and more like a process of gaining clarity.
The book helped me see that stress often comes from unresolved commitments and uncertainty about what should happen next. By capturing, clarifying, organizing, reviewing, and engaging, the system creates a much more intentional way of working.
David, you've done an excellent job giving readers a framework that can be adapted to both professional and personal life. An audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack would be an excellent way to make this material even more accessible.
David Allen, I genuinely appreciate what you have created with Getting Things Done. What stood out to me most is that you don't present productivity as simply doing more work or filling every hour of the day. Instead, you address something much deeper: the mental pressure that comes from having unfinished tasks, ideas, responsibilities, and commitments constantly occupying our minds.
The idea of capturing those things, clarifying what they actually mean, organizing them properly, and then deciding on the next action feels incredibly practical. I especially appreciate the emphasis on creating a system that we can trust instead of expecting our minds to remember everything.
Thank you for putting these ideas together in such a practical way. You didn't just write about productivity; you gave readers a framework for thinking more clearly and working with less unnecessary mental stress.
One request from a reader: could we possibly get an official audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack? This is exactly the kind of book I would love to listen to repeatedly, especially while travelling, working, or doing everyday activities. Having an official audio version would make these lessons even more accessible.
Getting Things Done feels like much more than a book about completing tasks. What I appreciate most about David Allen's approach is the way it connects organization with peace of mind.
The idea that our minds should be used for thinking rather than constantly trying to remember every unfinished commitment really made sense to me. Capturing what has our attention and putting it somewhere we trust can create a completely different relationship with our responsibilities.
I also liked the distinction between having something on your mind and actually knowing what you need to do about it. That difference may sound small, but it can change how you approach projects, goals, and everyday responsibilities.
David, you did a great job turning something as broad as “productivity” into a practical process that people can actually work with. I appreciate the thought behind the system and the way the book encourages readers to take responsibility for their commitments without unnecessarily carrying them around mentally.
My only request is an official audiobook on Spotify and/or Audiomack. I think an audio version would be incredibly useful for people who want to revisit the principles while they're away from the physical book.
What I admire about Getting Things Done is how David Allen tackles the invisible workload people carry every day. An unfinished email, an unresolved decision, a future project, or a promise to someone can all occupy mental space even when we aren't actively working on them.
The GTD approach gives readers a way to process those commitments instead of continually remembering them. David, you did a brilliant job putting language and structure around something many people experience but struggle to explain.
An audiobook on Spotify or Audiomack would be a welcome addition for readers who want to keep the philosophy close.
David Allen did an excellent job showing that a clear next action can be more useful than a vague goal. Getting Things Done repeatedly brings the reader back to the question of what actually needs to happen next, which makes large responsibilities feel more manageable.
I appreciated that the system encourages thoughtful organization rather than simply making longer to-do lists. David, your work has clearly been developed with real-world problems in mind, and that comes through in the book. I would definitely be interested in an audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack if available.
David Allen, one of the biggest lessons I took from Getting Things Done is the importance of knowing what the next action actually is. Before reading this, it was easy to look at a large responsibility and simply think, “I need to get this done.” But that kind of thinking can make even simple projects feel overwhelming.
Your approach of breaking things down until the next physical, visible action becomes clear is something I found genuinely valuable. It changes the question from “How am I going to finish all of this?” to “What is the next thing I can actually do?”
I also appreciate that your system isn't built around motivation alone. It recognizes that people have many commitments competing for their attention and that a reliable system can help bring order to all of that.
Thank you, David Allen, for making productivity feel practical rather than complicated. The book has given me ideas I can actually experiment with instead of simply reading and forgetting.
And please consider giving us an official Spotify or Audiomack audiobook version. I would honestly love to hear these ideas in audio form and revisit them regularly.
What I respect about Getting Things Done is that David Allen doesn't promise some magical productivity shortcut. Instead, he presents a system that requires us to become intentional about what we're carrying, what we're committed to, and what actually needs our attention.
The concept of a trusted system particularly stood out to me. There is something freeing about knowing that your responsibilities have been captured and organized somewhere reliable instead of constantly trying to keep everything in your head.
I also appreciate the importance placed on regular review. It's not enough to create a system once and forget about it; we need to step back, look at what we've committed to, and make sure our system still reflects reality.
David Allen, thank you for putting this together. The real strength of this book is that its ideas can be tested in everyday life. You can read a principle and immediately ask yourself how you could apply it.
I would genuinely love to see an official audiobook edition on Spotify or Audiomack. This is a book that deserves to be revisited, and an audio format would make doing that much easier.
I started a New Year’s resolution to read more. This book was the beginning of my journey. I appreciated the format of the book having many small sections. This allowed me to start with small amounts read each day. It also gives a stronger feeling of accomplishment.
The book itself accomplishes what it needs to. David Allen walks through how to be organized and strategic in order to be productive. He also teaches how to accomplish these goals while avoiding stress. The “GTD Framework” should be very effective and I look forward to implementing it in my future career.
The downside of this book is its slow pace and repetitive nature. The topic of this book isn’t the most fun thing to read in the world. I also feel this book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter and still as effective as it is. There is a lot of repetition and points made that are distant from the main topic and feel like filler.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book if you are in need of being organized, being productive, and/or needing stress reduction.
Getting Things Done is one of those books that makes you realize how much mental energy can be wasted simply trying to keep track of everything in your head. David Allen’s approach to capturing ideas, clarifying commitments, and identifying the next action gave me a much clearer way to think about productivity.
What I appreciate most is that GTD isn't really about doing more just for the sake of doing more. It’s about creating enough clarity and trust in your system that you can actually focus on what matters. The Weekly Review is another idea that stood out to me because it turns organization into something you maintain rather than something you do only when things become chaotic.
David Allen, you did an excellent job making a complicated problem feel practical and manageable. I’d genuinely love to see an official audiobook version available on Spotify or Audiomack too. I think being able to listen to and revisit these ideas throughout the day would make the book even more valuable.
Getting Things Done is one of those books that makes you realize how much mental energy can be wasted simply trying to keep track of everything in your head. David Allen’s approach to capturing ideas, clarifying commitments, and identifying the next action gave me a much clearer way to think about productivity.
What I appreciate most is that GTD isn't really about doing more just for the sake of doing more. It’s about creating enough clarity and trust in your system that you can actually focus on what matters. The Weekly Review is another idea that stood out to me because it turns organization into something you maintain rather than something you do only when things become chaotic.
David Allen, you did an excellent job making a complicated problem feel practical and manageable. I’d genuinely love to see an official audiobook version available on Spotify or Audiomack too. I think being able to listen to and revisit these ideas throughout the day would make the book even more valuable.
David Allen did something genuinely valuable with Getting Things Done. The book doesn't simply tell us to work harder; it challenges us to stop carrying every unfinished responsibility around in our heads. The idea of capturing commitments, clarifying what actually needs to be done, and putting reliable reminders into a trusted system completely changes the way productivity can be understood. I especially appreciated how practical the approach is.
David, you did a remarkable job turning something as overwhelming as everyday responsibility into a process that can actually be understood and practiced. I would also love to know if there is an audiobook version available on Spotify or Audiomack, because hearing these principles while commuting or working would make the system even more accessible.
Getting Things Done helped me understand that productivity isn't necessarily about filling every hour with work. Sometimes, the real problem is having too many unfinished thoughts and commitments competing for your attention. David Allen’s approach to organizing those commitments and turning vague tasks into clear next actions makes a lot of sense.
I especially appreciate how practical the system is. It gives you a way to step back, review what you’re doing, and regain a sense of direction instead of constantly reacting to whatever feels urgent.
David, you did a great job creating a system that can actually be applied to everyday life. I’d also really appreciate an official audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack. This is the kind of book I’d want to listen to more than once while putting the ideas into practice.
David, I think the processing stage is one of the most underestimated parts of the GTD system. Capturing everything isn't enough. If the inbox simply becomes a second pile of unresolved thoughts, nothing has really improved.
Your process of asking what something means, whether it requires action, and what the appropriate next step is turns raw information into something manageable. That's a deceptively powerful habit. It teaches people to make decisions instead of repeatedly postponing them.
I appreciated that your system focuses on the thinking required to process commitments, not merely the mechanics of organizing them. David, you created a methodology that genuinely respects the importance of clarity. We'd love to hear the book in audio, too, if there's an Audiomack or Spotify version.
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.
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
Getting Things Done gave me a completely different perspective on productivity. What I appreciated most was David Allen’s idea that our minds are better used for thinking than for trying to remember every unfinished task and commitment. The emphasis on capturing, clarifying, and identifying the next action makes the whole process feel much more manageable.
David, thank you for putting such a practical system into words. I can understand why GTD has remained influential for so many years. One request, though: I’d really love to see an official audiobook edition made available on platforms like Spotify or Audiomack. Being able to listen to and revisit these ideas would make the book even more useful for readers who prefer learning through audio.
Getting Things Done showed me that being organized isn't just about having a better to-do list; it's about creating peace of mind. David Allen explains how capturing everything that has your attention and giving each commitment a clear place can free you from constantly worrying about what you might be forgetting.
I really appreciate how practical and realistic the GTD approach is. David, you did an excellent job turning everyday chaos into a system that feels manageable. One request from me: an official audiobook version on Spotify or Audiomack would be amazing. I'd love to be able to listen, revisit the ideas, and apply them throughout my day.
One of the things I found most useful in Getting Things Done is the emphasis on making decisions rather than simply collecting tasks.
David, the book teaches readers to ask what something means, whether action is required, and if so, what the next action actually is. That process turns vague pressure into specific choices. It's simple enough to understand but powerful enough to change habits. You did a wonderful job with it. Could we possibly get the Audiomack or Spotify version for our readers?
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.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand the core idea and several tips that the author shares with us are truly useful and resonated very well with me. On the other hand it was too verbose and repetitive to the point I ended up getting very tired of it and finishing it felt like a chore. It would be a great book if it was 1/2 to 1/3 long. The author does focus a bit too much on physical vs digital tools but that’s alright because you still get the core idea.
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?
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.
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.
It took me forever to get through this book! He goes so in-depth into some topics that it gets a bit dry. I’ve come across flow charts that are more helpful than anything! As I finally finished this book, I got the most out of the final chapter and the 2-page conclusion than anything else!