GDT (Getting Things Done)
I’ve spent a majority of my life working as a Mechanical Engineering Designer at one of the world’s largest medical device companies. I was involved in the design and manufacture of everything from hand tools to automated production machinery. In those days, GDT meant Geometric Tolerencing and Dimensioning, a principle of using dimensions on an engineering drawing for both the machine shop and the Quality Assurance department to make and/or inspect parts.
I’ve only recently discovered that another usage of the GDT acronym stands for Getting Things Done., a personal productivity methodology that redefines how you approach your life and work.
TL;DR (quick overview / summary)
There are essentially 5 Steps of GTD
- Capture: Collect everything that has your attention (ideas, tasks, reminders) into a single inbox or collection tool, getting it out of your head.
- Clarify: Process each item to decide if it’s actionable. If yes, what’s the very next step? If no, is it trash, reference material, or something to defer (Someday/Maybe list)?.
- Organize: Place clarified items in the right place:
- Action Lists: For immediate tasks (e.g., @Errands, @Calls).
- Projects: For multi-step goals, with next actions listed under them.
- Calendar: For time-specific appointments.
- Waiting For: For delegated items.
- Reference: For information to keep.
- Someday/Maybe List: For future ideas.
- Reflect (Review): Look over your lists regularly, especially with a weekly review, to keep your system updated and prioritize.
- Engage (Do): Take action on the items you’ve organized, choosing what to do based on context, time, energy, and priority.
