Get Organized and Stay Focused: Getting Things Done

A review of David Allen's famous "Getting Things Done" book - 28. November 2024

Some years ago, I was working in a successful start-up that made a very good exit after a few years. I was eager to do my part to make this rocket soar into the sky. Questions and requests came at me from every direction. Moods, stress, unforeseen problems, and – easy to forget sometimes – the product work itself needed to be handled. And in the middle of it all, there was me, a proud member of this rocket ship. Days started early and ended late at night. The team was fantastic, and the product was so good that customers were coming in fast. We were doing something extremely right and had hit a sweet spot.But as the work piled up, it also became more complex. One day, my CEO turned to me and said, “You must read Getting Things Done – otherwise you will drown.” Ok, great. Another to-do – from the CEO and co-founder, no less. He had this rare ability to balance structure with creative chaos, so I figured this tip wasn’t one to ignore. I put it on the mental pile of “things I must urgently do.”I bought the book and waited for it to arrive – this was before I got my Kindle. It sat on my desk for a while (because, of course, work got in the way), but when I finally picked it up, it changed how I work and organize myself to this day. The concepts are simple, and every reader will find their own gems in it. Here’s mine: Remember the socks in front of the door.

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Why Mood Matters

When a thought comes to mind about something you need to do, it’s often the case that you can’t or don’t want to do it instantly. Thoughts, requests, and ideas stream through your mind all day, even after some filtering. And things continuously pop up that need to be handled later.Think about this: you need to remember to take socks with you the next morning. I don’t know if you’re a morning person – I am not. To avoid “morning me” forgetting the socks, I put them at the door – ideally on the door handle (if they’re big enough not to fall). That way, “morning me,” who is usually grumpy, disoriented, and in a rush, will see the socks and remember to grab them.There’s a lot of elegance in this solution. First, it acknowledges that different moods affect how I act, react, and decide. Second, it relies on a trusted system (in this case, my door) that ensures I don’t forget. And because I’ve tested this system often, I trust it. Once I’ve placed the socks on the handle, I can let the thought go, knowing “morning me” will succeed in completing the task.Mood, attention, stress, exhaustion, energy – these words capture a simple truth: we’re not fully rational beings. And while I think that’s beautiful, it also means we need systems to help us navigate life more smoothly.

What Getting Things Done Taught Me

David Allen’s Getting Things Done builds on this kind of thinking. The central idea is simple: get everything out of your head and into a system you trust. Tasks, ideas, reminders – write them down somewhere reliable so your brain doesn’t have to hold onto them. This frees up mental space for actual work or rest, instead of constantly cycling through your to-dos.The magic lies in how it makes you feel. Once you trust the system, the stress fades. You no longer have to remember everything all the time because you know your system will take care of it. Just like the socks at the door, GTD helps you move thoughts out of your head so you can focus on the moment and trust that “future you” will handle what needs to be done.

What You’ll Learn in Getting Things Done

Here’s what you can expect to gain from this book:
• How to build a trusted system: Externalize all your tasks and ideas into one reliable place.
• How to reduce mental stress: Let go of the constant juggling by offloading tasks.
• How to break down big projects: Turn overwhelming tasks into clear, manageable steps.
• How to stay focused: Use regular reviews to stay on top of priorities and keep a clear mind.

Why This Book Still Matters

Years later, I still use the principles of Getting Things Done. They’re simple but incredibly effective. When things start to feel overwhelming, I return to the basics: capture everything, sort it out, and trust the system. This book didn’t just help me at that start-up; it changed how I approach work and life.If you feel like your brain is always on overdrive, this book might be the best to-do you ever check off. Stop relying on willpower to keep everything straight – let this book teach you a better way to manage your tasks and your mind.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, I was not instructed or paid in advance to write this article, and all opinions expressed are my own.

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