Getting Things Done

The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

By: David Allen

Narrated by: David Allen

Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In today's world of exponentially increased communication and responsibility, yesterday's methods for staying on top just don't work. Veteran management consultant and trainer David Allen recognizes that "time management" is useless the minute your schedule is interrupted; "setting priorities" isn't relevant when your e-mail is down; "procrastination solutions" won't help if your goals aren't clear.

Allen's premise is simple: our ability to be productive is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve stress-free productivity and unleash our creative potential. He teaches us how to:

Apply the "do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it" rule to get your in-box empty.

Reassess goals and stay focused in changing situations.

Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed.

Feel fine about what you're not doing.

From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done has the potential to transform the way you work - and the way you experience work. At any level of implementation, David Allen's entertaining and thought-provoking advice shows you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.

©2002 David Allen, All Rights Reserved (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc., SOUND IDEAS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Allen is] the personal productivity guru." (Fast Company)

Changed My Life!!!

Absolutely Phenomenal book! Must read for every manager! What the heck was I doing before!!!!

Would recommend

Very practical advice. Easy to understand. He gives scenarios based on his experience. good

GTD abridged vs unabridged

The abridged version of GTD is missing chapters 7-11 of the book, if you do buy this version do also invest in the book, Getting Things Done. The unabridged version was just recorded in Oct of 08, it is the full version of the book and makes much more sense to the listener. Granted you cannot implement while you are listening in a car but very important information to have. I work for David Allen and wanted folks to have the correct information regarding differences in the two audiobooks.

Booklet?

I like the material, but the author repeatedly refers the listener to important material in the "booklet that accompanies this tape." Audible really needs to make the booklet available for download in order to make this worthwhile.

Very useful, not the most suitable on audiobook

I was looking for some help on my organization. I think I found it with this book. The advice is useful, but most of all it all boils down to common sense. I found each and every item the most obvious thing to do. The value of the book is to organize the system so that there aren't any cracks. I yet have to move on to complete the weekly review every week, but even without that it's helped me organize quite a lot.

This being said, I've read a few self-help books and I can't say that they shine best in audio format. You want to see the diagrams, the organization and the table of contents, you want to return to a section just to connect it it with another one. These are very easy to do with a book, but not so with audio. It is useful to listen to the book to "get the idea" first, but if you want to put the system in practice and need to refer to the book, it's best to have it in paper. I finally bought my copy. On the other hand, I don't think I would have gotten such an agreement with the system while reading on paper. Listening to it is more persuasive somehow, and I'm still glad I have the audiobook in my library.

Good, if you have no system. OK if you do.

If you have no organizing system (franklin, palm, etc.)this book is great. It will help you to be more productive. If you already have a system such as a Franklin Planner then it's ok. This guy has taken A LOT from the Franklin-Covey system and tried to spin it. Personally, I like the Franklin System better becuase I am on the road 5 days a week and the Franklin system is mobile. Getting Things Done can help if you work in an office.
I did take away several ideas from this book and combined them with my system. One of the most important was to write everything down that needs to be done. No matter how trivial it may seem. This includes items you need at the grcoery store, websites you want to visit, or researching a vacation. Allen explains that once it is on paper, it moves out of your brain and frees up space so you don't have recurring thoughts all day about the "stuff" that needs to be done or the stuff that you want to do.
If you are hopelessly unorganized, this book will be a godsend for you. But if you really want to get organized, spend the extra cash and get the Franklin system.

very good, well worth the money.

The author is smart, by borrowing some idea from taoism concept, such as treat your mind like water, etc. this book deals with how to get things done, but in a way of not feeling stressed by the amount of work you will have to do. also, the book talks about the most efficient way to get things done in both mentally and physically. overall i like the book a lot, and recommand to everyone who seeks for "efficiency".

Great book

The book gives detailed instructions on an organization methodology. I followed his instructions to the detail and have found that I am much more relaxed and getting more done. I don't have worry about missing something now, since I am 100% better organized and have a system. I have suggested the book to others.

need to get things done?

I thought i had things under control, but after reading this book i realized how little i knew. The mp3 is quite user friendly, although at times i need to rewind my player to get the gist of his point. After listening to his information i feel that my productivity has increased 3 fold. my mind now feel less cluttered by taking his suggestion and getting things down up paper (palm tungsten3). overall i feel less flustered in my daily routines and much more on track. I think his best rule of thumb "if it takes 2 minutes or less just do it" instead of putting it in the in basket or adding it to the stack. He also had some very good ideas on productivity, this book is filled with nuggets of information, rather than fluff. Overall i felt this was a great use of time and i plan to listen to the information again in a few months.

tips, tricks, and little gems of wisdom!

Very pleased with this book while I agree the only draw back is that audio isn't easy to reference like paperback,you just do the next best thing and listen again and, if your like me, each time you find some little gem of knowledge that you can use. At first you think this guys gotta be kidding with all the lists of lists listing all the the lists you need to make but after you go through it again you realise how customisable the system is, take what works for you and your situation, even if you learn just one new thing that makes you more productive (and you will) this ones worth the price.