This book was helpful when I read it with a few organizational items in my life. It's been a while since I've read it, and I can't exactly remember what I learned so I've given it a 3/5.

Management begins with self! Start managing yourself and you would be able to manage everyone and everything around you. But there are times when you have lots of things to do and you are left with no choice but to get more and more confused.

The best ways I thought to manage everything starting from my desktop to the projects I was working in was (after I analyzed a lot and Googled around) to more and more equip myself with sophisticated gadgets, this is what they are meant for, isn't it?. Well after I installed good software, mindmaping applications, get good PDAs, I was, once more, to my surprise managing additional stuffs that what I already was previously. At least for few days I was feeling a little satisfied that my investment in one of the most updated software or a hand-held device is going to bring me peace. But after few weeks everything was back to square one.

I even saw this occasionally with other people, the more unorganized you feel the more devices, gadgets, etc you tend to buy, but no one was happy, eventually the more STUFF you get the more unorganized you become. Which ultimately leads to stress. That is NOT the solution. Basically, after getting myself acquainted with GTD I understood that the devices were actually built around GTD. So, once I know what the basis principles of personal productivity are I can accordingly arrange myself, my mailbox, gadgets etc.

The solution is to know and understand the CORE the basic principles that are essential to generate productivity and efficiency. You must be a person with great ideas and already very successful, however, if you are someone who is under stress of not being able to manage a lot of stuff then you need this book.

Know exactly what stress is? How your internal commintment, even when you think that you are not committing, to various things around you build more and more stress? How can you arrange, discard, delegate stuff.

This truly is, as coined by David, an Advanced Common Sense.

There is a lot of stuff about GTD over the internet including the 43 folders website. I suggest you surely visit the YouTube videos for Davids lectures at Google (authors@Google). Look at him when he is explaining things on video and then read the book.

Management begins with self! Start managing yourself and you would be able to manage everyone and everything around you. But the only questions I had was HOW?

The best ways I thought was (after I analyzed a lot and Googled around) that more and more sophisticated gadgets I have the more and more managed I am because these tools have been designed to manage STUFF. At least for few days I was feeling a little satisfied that my investment in one of the most updated software or a hand-held device is going to bring me peace. But after few weeks everything was back to square one.

I even saw this occasionally with other members, the more unorganized you feel the more devices, gadgets, etc you tend to buy, but no one was happy, eventually the more STUFF you get the more unorganized you become. Which ultimately leads to stress. That is NOT the solution.

The solution is to know and understand the CORE the basic principles that are essential to generate productivity and efficiency. You must be a person with great ideas and already very successful, however, if you are someone who is under stress of not being able to manage a lot of stuff then you need this book.

What this book brought to me mainly was the numerous opportunities that were passing me by because I was ignoring them, I could now wait, analyze and then proceed with that work instead of just missing it out. Also, I would suggest you read Timothy Ferris The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich in order to go ahead with managing yourself.

Other than the Bible, this is probably the most impactful book I have ever read. I stumbled upon this book in a bookstore years ago and bought it on a lark. The ideas are so simple but also can change the game of how you interract with your work and life to get more important things done. While seeing David Allen in person (which I later did) is even better in the book, this is a great way to spend $10 and I often buy it for people who work for me.

"Getting Things Done" is a great motivator, as it speaks volumes for the simplicity of how we individually require a set way of organization to really make it flow for our daily interruptions.
This book was a recommendation, and I would also recommend it for both people "on task" and those that are flailing to keep the paper tiger in order. I will use this book over and over to recalibrate both home, work, and electronic devices whenever I am once again needing to regroup and set new goals.

There are some really good ideas on how to get more organized and less stressed out due to disorganization in this book.

However, I have to say that this book isn't going to really help you deal as effectively with time management or procrastination. It's more a book on how to get organized and stay that way.

For dealing with procrastination and perfectionism, I would highly recommend "The Now Habit" by Neil Fiore (rev. 2007 edition). It ultimately ended up being a much more useful book for me than GTD - although the systems described in both books can easily work together.

Work: Anything that exists in your world that you look at and 'wish' was different from current reality. In that case, most of what we see around us could be considered work; in today's world, it seems to be work that necessitates knowledge. How much we know, and how we apply that information is the cutting edge between high productivity and burn-out. Real advice for real "knowledge workers." Do you feel overwhelmed by the "problem" of infinite opportunity? How good could that next project be? How prepared for that meeting could your direct report be? When do you stop working on one project in light of the value-add that would come in beginning another? For those of you with "too much to do, and not enough time to do it in," productivity guru (as Fast Company magazine has labeled him) David Allen provides a no-nonsense, fire-tested system that will make sense of your open loops. The Getting Things Done methodology offers a practical yet elegant solution to staying on top of your work, whether it's a personal project like landscaping your yard, to that new B2B site that you're launching next week. David Allen's approach to managing yourself and your world may well be the best advice you'll ever receive. Included are tips and tricks that lead the readers toward learning, practicing and developing techniques for improving personal productivity and individual satisfaction. The behavior sets you practice will prove useful, and add a "sustainable" element to your work/life style. Buy this book, read it, and watch your productivity AND energy go up!

My other favorite productivity book is Squawk! - How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results

Work: Anything that exists in your world that you look at and 'wish' was different from current reality. In that case, most of what we see around us could be considered work; in today's world, it seems to be work that necessitates knowledge. How much we know, and how we apply that information is the cutting edge between high productivity and burn-out. Real advice for real "knowledge workers." Do you feel overwhelmed by the "problem" of infinite opportunity? How good could that next project be? How prepared for that meeting could your direct report be? When do you stop working on one project in light of the value-add that would come in beginning another? For those of you with "too much to do, and not enough time to do it in," productivity guru (as Fast Company magazine has labeled him) David Allen provides a no-nonsense, fire-tested system that will make sense of your open loops. The Getting Things Done methodology offers a practical yet elegant solution to staying on top of your work, whether it's a personal project like landscaping your yard, to that new B2B site that you're launching next week. David Allen's approach to managing yourself and your world may well be the best advice you'll ever receive. Included are tips and tricks that lead the readers toward learning, practicing and developing techniques for improving personal productivity and individual satisfaction. The behavior sets you practice will prove useful, and add a "sustainable" element to your work/life style. Buy this book, read it, and watch your productivity AND energy go up!

My other favorite productivity book is Squawk! - How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results

My view of these type of books is simple: if you pick up one helpful hint or habit it is worth it. This is worth it. If nothing else use the way to handle the avalanche of email I/you get is worth the cost of the book. Buy it kiddies....

I have studied various organizational and time management methods for 20 years. I have found nothing that compares to the liberty and effectiveness of this method. I've been using this method for over 1-1/2 years now. I also highly recommend David Allen's book, Ready For Anything. It has many tips, thought-provoking ideas, and methods to reduce stress and accomplish more with your work time as well as your own time. I highly recommend both books and their audios. I use the audio CDs when I am not able to take the time to read, but have the time to listen. I have made their audio CDs into audio MP3s, and I have put them on my iPod for use whenever and wherever. I find that an occasional review of these tips and methods helps put me back on track when I have let some portion of the method slip. When I started using these methods, I found that I first had to implement a portion of his method, and when I had that working, then I added in another portion. If you do not review and upkeep the steps he suggests, you will not see the same amount of good results as you do when you use his methods. David Allen's website offers free tips and gives a location to sign up for free emails with productivity tips. I have recommended and have purchased these books for others, as well as myself.

Another book I recommend highly for the purpose of getting results is Squawk!: How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results

Organization has been a problem for me since grade school. I've gotten better over the years, moving from sticky-notes to paper planners to PDAs. Still, I was dropping too many things. My boss told me about GTD, so I bought it. I haven't fully implemented it, and likely won't for several months (there's a LOT to his system). But even with the parts I have done, it has had a tremendous impact on my home and work life. I have cleaned out my 8000+ item e-mail Inbox, and I don't spend time dwelling on stuff I still need to do. I've even used some of the principles suggested in this book to help my son who just started Jr. High keep up with his schoolwork.

I look forward to listening to it again in a few months and keep moving forward.

I bought this book becasue there were so many five star reviews. Mr Allen provides a broad, general and lose archicture for getting things dome. Making lists, using folders you can buy at the office supply store, setting and organizing priorieties are true but are presented a very general general manner. Anyone might tell you this. Allen uses the 50,000 ft metaphore for describing his approach. At that altitude, it is hard to determine anything yet alone get things done. There is nothing new here, and the presentation is not not very usefull

I have decided to pay more attention to the negative reviews before buying a book.

If you don't have time for one more thing in your life, read Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. While that advice may seem counterproductive, and a little crazy, 'where will you find time to read it?' this book will assuredly give you some realistic advice about getting all those projects completed while staying sane.

The author offers an excellent method to take control of your life. by your life, I mean everything in your life, everything! You also need to read the book twice and review it every 6 month or so.

This author describes how to get things done in the course of real-life business flows - with interruptions ! Many things it describes, people will already have pieces in place. I recommend reading through the book completely. Purchase what you need to set up your underlying "organizing" foundation. Then, take a nice long holiday weekend and commit to cleaning out and setting up and referring back to pertinent sections of the book. So far... I am able to keep up with things. Easy to read. Easy to follow either all or some of what he suggests. For business and life !

It is an excellent method to take control of your life. by your life, I mean everything in your life, everything! You also need to read the book twice and review it every 6 month or so.

I am so inspired by this book! My filing system at work and at home has never worked as efficiently as it does now, after reading this book. Author David Allen's detailed system helps clear the 'clutter' in my mind as I have adopted his system of writing down what needs to get done so the task is either written on my calendar or on my to-do list. I don't have to try to "remember" what I need to do next, wasting time and energy thinking and getting lost in my thoughts. If something can be done in two minutes I do it, I file it, I make the phone call. My desk stays in order and I feel more at ease. I love feeling organized and clear in my life.

Another book which clears "the clutter" in my mind is Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Can Instantaneously Transform Your Life by Ariel & Shya Kane. This book teaches how to live in the moment without getting lost in the conversation of my thoughts. The Kanes have a yearly "Time & Project Management" Course in New York City, and a "Transformation in the Workplace" seminar which is scheduled this September. These courses and their books have brought ease and inspiration to my workplace.

As a banker in New York City, I highly suggest checking out David Allen and Ariel and Shya Kane. You will discover a stress free environment in the workplace and at home.

I've been to project and management training. I've been on a three-day retreat to discover my true values and to empower me to take control of my life. All those were good, but I always thought that something was missing, something to do with changing my habits, something to do with implementation, with, well... getting things done!

In comes this book, which I heard of through OmniFocus (wonderful tool for the Mac). I read it overnight and I was ON! While the courses and the training may have laid down the foundation, this book made the difference and changed my life!

Thank you, Master David!

I'd much rather have it as a video. Those of us who have trouble getting everything done on a timely basis DON'T have time to sit and read a self-help book this verbose.

First, I want to say that I'd listened to the audio book of this years ago. And at the time it didn't resonate with me AT ALL. Frankly I'm not sure I finished the audio--but either way I couldn't remember any of it other than it was in my library.

Fast forward a couple years.. I adopted Tim Ferris' 4HWW method of listing tasks on an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of plain paper. That worked great for me for a while. While I'm a tech guy, I like things that are effective, work anywhere, don't require batteries, etc.

I then wanted to--as David says: "Get off the runway" with my tasks and start managing with a more project/goal/initiative-centric approach. To me that was a big problem with the "tasks" approach--you get buried in "to do" stuff and never get above the trees.

Additionally, in my situation I had huge leakage in delegating or following up with other people with my requests, questions, etc. So the process for handling emails that required responses alone has radically altered how I work and manage my own time.

I recently finished GTD and it was like an epiphany. During the first 1/3 of the book though I felt like "okay, I got the preaching--how do I *implement* this", and actually purchased/read other systems in the middle. Ultimately coming back to and finishing this book. I'm very happy that I did.

In my opinion, you should take what works for you from the book and integrate it with your life/style. For me the 43 folders didn't make sense as I am so nomadic with my work. But it is a good concept. For me, everything has to be electronic and ideally live out on the internet cloud somewhere. So naturally some of my tools will be different than his. But the *system* is what's key.

The gold is simply getting you to see "stuff" coming into your life as things that need to be processed from your Inbox (the goal being Inbox Zero), and an effective system of processing, then handling things once they're organized.

Also, I like how there aren't any "special" requirements, like you have to buy a special organizer, get certain software, buy their printed pages, etc. I am currently using a $7 calendar/organizer (with cool doodling) and $15/year for the "pro" version of Toodledo (the base version is free). It also has "slim" web access via iPhone.. so I can access my lists from practically anywhere. Well worth it to organize my life.

Again, for me this has been life-altering. It's taken a lot of the stress of worrying about stuff falling through the cracks, not being busy all the time, etc. And ultimately that's what I wanted to achieve.

I was very satisfied with this purchase, this book takes all the things you already know how to do (e.g., create lists, prioritize, organize), and compiles it into a system which is practical and very effective. I now realize that this is the key step I've been missing in my personal effectiveness and cannot recommend it highly enough.

Having heard so much about this management system, I read the book--what a frustrating experience! I was hooked from the beginning and implemented a couple of suggestions with a large party I was then planning and Mr. Allen's suggestions certainly helped me define the ultimate purpose for my party and next actions, and I became much more effective in my preparations. But then I got on to Chapter 3 and following and totally bombed: had I not read this already? And what about these meaningless quotes in the margins that are so distracting? It only got worse and worse as I read on and I became so stressed about all my unfinished business that I lost sleep! I knew from my first experience that there were pearls of wisdom in this book, so I started from the beginning again and discovered that all your really need to read and implement is Chapter 2. So I set up my office as described (without the label maker, I don't need another tool to clutter my desk, and computer-generated labels work very well). Then I started collecting my STUFF and put it in my inbox, mind you, not all of it at once as he recommends, that's what was stressing me out so much. Then I started processing what was in my inbox, and adding to it anything I come across (thoughts or physical stuff). Also, I'm still making daily lists but they're mostly derived from my "next actions" list. The ideas are excellent, but the presentation is not good, this book demoralized me at first instead of energizing me, hence only three stars.

As with most books like this, a great deal of the content is common sense. But as is always the case with me, formalizing it and explaining it is always what I need.

He explains the natural thought process of a project in order to help you get a grasp of what things need to be done in order to achieve your outstanding goals.

He explains why you can't ever relax because you have so much to do, and how to get over that stress so that you can relax during those times you want to relax!

He gives you a system, which you can use as-is or tailor to your personal taste, that essentially guarantees that nothing gets lost, everything gets done and puts you in control.

I know it sounds like an ad, but as I started with, the content is true and makes sense.

Admittedly, I'm still pretty new at this system, and have to improve how I work with it, but so far I am loving it.

Also, if you have a BlackBerry, look for the "NextAction!" software. It's not great software, but it's good enough to follow the system. The main thing that I don't like about the NextAction! is that I find it difficult to manage the tasks in Microsoft Outlook, so I have to stick with Outlook to manage my mail-based tasks and my BB for my non-mail based tasks, but that's not too bad for me.

David Allen gives you specific tasks to organize and streamline your life and business. Do it or drop it - words to live by if you want to eliminate clutter in your office and in your mind.

GTD called it right when it identified broken agreements with self as a source of negative feeling, anxiety, guilt and "disintegrated self-trust". And one cannot be wholly productive when they are nagged by worries of open loops. GTD presents a methodology for remedying this and achieving a "mind like water".

While I still believe in traditional time management principles such as task prioritization, GTD offers some excellent concepts and takeaways: Corralling all your stuff is critical - you can only feel good about what you're not doing ONLY when you know what you're not doing; the notion of Next Actions is simple but invaluable; separating reference and support material from actionable items will keep the system less clogged; the Someday/Maybe list as an outlet for off-the-wall and future tasks; and the four criteria model for choosing actions in the moment works, among others.

GTD makes a strong case for some type of time management or personal organization system. This was my second time through the book and while it was worth the revisit, I wish it gave more specifics on tools; and the lack of mention of Blackerrys and iPhones nearly make the book dated. GTD doesn't offer a panacea; but as David Allen himself states, no system is perfect for tracking projects and tasks, you just need to know you have them and where to find more information. I am looking forward to his upcoming sequel.

The methods in this book were extremely helpful to me. They are very plain and written in simple, totally understandable, language. The information and advice in the book can be applied to almost any situation, even for optimizing my productivity as a high school student. However after I was about halfway done with this book I literally just stopped reading and through my head went "Have I already read this page? Did I loose track of where I left off?" I hadnt! The book is simply so redundant its hard to keep reading. It tells you about the methods (In pretty decent depth) and then in the next section tells you how to apply them, and in the third section tells you how to actually use them and put them to action. About half of the information in the sections overlaps and the information is simply not well structured.

The presentation is dull and boring. I have to force myself to continue listening to it. I never played the 2nd CD. I think I will do that today and probably return it

This is the only book I've read that has changed my day-to-day life every day in visible ways. I say that having read it over a year ago, not just last week. My desk was cluttered and piled with papers; it's now clear every day. My inbox had over 6,000 emails; there are four unread in my inbox as I write this. My folders are all uniformly labeled. Administravia that would barely get done is efficiently processed in a timely manner unless I've consciously decided to do it later. This is a must read for everyone.

Since I'm into organizing things and also maintain an online organizer (bookmark-manager.com) I thought I give this book a shot. Unfortunately I found this book too abstract and long. Many of the tips seem to be just common sense like David Allen admitted himself at the end of the book. The quotes left and right all the time are more distracting than helpful. One at the beginning of each chapter might have been enough. Enough though this review could be viewed as negative I admit that I haven't read it completely and English is not my first language, which might partly the reason the book wasn't useful for me.

The workflow David Allen presents in Getting Things Done is incredibly useful. So much so, in fact, that it can make the book difficult to read. I personally started the book twice, only to put it back on the shelf half-completed, before reading it completely on my third attempt.

In the interest of getting things done, the book is written in such a way that unfinished business will be drawn out of your subconscious to occupy your central thought process. Unfortunately, this mental burden distracts attention from reading the book itself.

During my first two attempts, this became so frustrating that I simply had to stop reading the book. However, I was still able to take away valuable lessons. One of the primary tenets of GTD, is ensuring these reminders get written down in a trusted system. In so doing, the nagging voice in your head will subside, allowing you to focus and complete tasks efficiently.

I began by integrating the ideas I had read into my own way of working. In so doing, I was able to reach a level where I could finally pick up the book and read it in its entirety, without having my concentration broken by reminders of my open loops.

If you are looking to improve your productivity, I highly recommend this book. Start implementing the ideas into your workflow as you read them, and don't be too concerned about reading cover-to-cover. Depending on your work style, a complete GTD workflow may need to be adopted incrementally over time.

This is an excellent Starting Point for those who are just getting organized. You can make the system your own. I takes about 4 weeks to get set up and running, at least it did for me. I also recommend Don't Like to Read, Then Don't, Listen!: How to Turn Any Type of Text Into Audio Files That Can Be Read to You!, as a tool that can help you get more things done as you do basic life stuff such as showerings, cooking, eating, ect.

I get three times what I used to get done in a week because of the systems of time manipulation I have developed. Another good book that gives time manipulation tools is Don't Like to Read, Then Don't, Listen!: How to Turn Any Type of Text Into Audio Files That Can Be Read to You!

Mr Allen has written a valuable book. The first chapter provides a good rationale for his system, with the second chapter providing practical implementation details. The system itself is sound, with the first chapter providing adequate justification for the system. Even if one doesn't like the system, the first and second chapters provide valuable ideas and suggestions to improve productivity.

The third chapter devolves into repetition of the least valuable sort. It fails to re-enforce earlier concepts, but detracts from them by poorly attempting to justify them at a higher level.

I wish Mr Allen would release a second edition of this book. It is peppered with imprecise language, hackneyed phrases, and meaningless clichés. Many sentences in the book could have 2 or more words removed without losing any meaning. The author also tends to exaggerate. For example, on page 250 he writes "That is real productivity, perhaps in its most awesome manifestation". This would be better if it simply said "That is real productivity, in its best form".

There is also much 'management speak' within the book, which detracts from its message.

In all, the book contains many good ideas, and if you can ignore the often flawed writing style of the author, then you stand to gain much from the book.

Please, Mr Allen, re-write the book while thinking about clear, plain English. It will benefit both your readers and your book sales.

Mr. Allen's insightful and concrete program is exceptional - it's different than all the other information I've gleaned on the topic. It gets away from "procrastination" and "time mangement" and truly articulates "How to Get Stuff Done". I've been through much of the generic "Time Management" material, including most of Brian Tracey and others like Rita Emmett's "Procrastinator's Handbook". It's much different than the generic "A-B-C prioritizing" / "important but not urgent" concepts. Mr. Allen's system is simple, yet comprehensive and presented in a business-oriented fashon (but it works remarkably well for both personal and business application). Highly recommended.

I bought this book after read some remarks in the Internet and magazines. Part I is the best one, where you get to know the basics and concepts about GTD. Part 2 is how the author does implement these basics and concepts in his day-by-day. Not for everyone. Part 3, just skip it. I wouldn't tell a friend to buy the book.

This book was practical and useful for me at home. I love the "tricks" that Allen teaches in this book and have been using them for about two weeks. I am doing the things I always knew I should be doing. Having it all out of my head has made a big difference for me. I have used many other systems and have kept the big picture parts of those systems because Allen says this system is about the nitty-gritty, actually getting things done, but you still need the big picture tools.

I am starting a new job and I feel as though my life is organized enough NOT to have to worry about what I am leaving undone. After 7 years of full time school, I had 4 garbage bags of paper in my overstuffed file drawer. Now, I remember the lesson, if you have it but can't find it, what's the point of having it? This helps me to know what to keep and what to toss. It is a worthwhile investment even if you only use a few of the tricks that he teaches to increase your organization.

I got this book at the same time as Getting Organized: Improving Focus, Organization and Productivity in the hope that one or both would help me tame my crazy life as a middle manager in a software company. Both books have something to offer - in my review of Getting Organized, I suggested skimming or reading several books and articles and taking the best suggestions from each.

While "Getting Organized" takes a Cliff's Notes approach with two-page chapters that take about two or three minutes each to digest, Getting Things Done goes more in depth, almost to a fault. I found that the first few chapters of Getting Things Done were much better written than the other book, and also stayed more technology-neutral, leaving it to the reader to decide whether to use paper files, day planners, PDAs, or list management software.

As others have written, the "processing stuff" flowchart that appears early on (page 32) is worthy of being printed, framed and sat on your desk for daily reference. It's the best summary I've seen of the different types of input items we all deal with and the choices we can and should make when dealing with them.

There's also a lot of meaty stuff that encourages you to think about your work habits and how you segment your time: Right now, am I categorizing input items or am I working on individual items? What's my energy level and mood right now and how should that affect what I do next? Do I have five minutes free or a solid hour?

I'm still developing my system, but essentially I use a combination of list management software (the excellent Remember the Milk) and email/calendaring (Gmail and Outlook) to keep track of things. I have one list per major area of responsibility ("Home - Finance", "Home - Medical", "Work - Management", "Work - Project xx", etc.) and I add things to the lists as I think of them. The author of the other book (Getting Organized) kind of pooh-poohs making huge to-do lists, but personally I agree with David Allen that getting that stuff out of your mind and into a list management system is key to being able to relax and pick what area to work next. You don't have to ever *do* every list item - in fact, trying to "finish" all your lists just isn't possible and the last list item is always "die a peaceful death" - but you should at least brainstorm it out once to clear your head. Usually the first time you do this you end up with 200 or so items - that's ok.

Now that I have my lists created, I make sure to spend some time each morning deciding not which items to complete that day, but which list(s) to focus on. I might block out a solid hour using Outlook to work on management or HR items, and another hour to catch up on email. When that "meeting with myself" pops up, I just go to the related list and grab the top priority item from the list - that way no area of focus gets starved.

I also like Allen's rule about Doing It Now if it takes two minutes or less, but I'd add the caveat that it's possible (for me at least) to find enough two-minute tasks to fill a whole day. So I would time-box it: spend 30 minutes doing as many 2-minute items as you can, then do something bigger.

I haven't finished the book yet, as I've already found plenty of things to try and am finding success, but that's ok. If you buy this don't feel duty-bound to read every last word the first week. Just learn, assimilate, test, repeat.

Good stuff overall.

Any information on being more organised and reducing stress in our lives is worth reading. Even people who are generally organised will gain benefits fom this book. We all have areas of our lives that could be more productive, less cluttered and more stress-free. Definitely worth a read.

Real Life Dramas - Volume One

Darren G. Burton

This book has helped me so much! I have read it once and am starting to work my way through it again, because it's easy to read but takes real discipline to implement. I am by nature highly disorganized--my desk is perennially piled high and deep, and bills may be found anywhere in my house.

By taking the first steps towards implementing this I've already become more confident in my ability to manage the almost overwhelming amount of responsibilities and tasks that multiply like bunnies.

I think the subtitle is a little bit of exaggerated advertising..."Stress-free" is probably unattainable for most of us; but this book WILL help you lower your stress levels quite a bit if you have trouble managing all your responsibilities, and if you put it into action.

It's chock full of fun and wise quotes, which keep it interesting. And David Allen gives some excellent advice that can improve your personal quality of life and any organization's culture. I recommend it for leaders, managers, and anyone who's naturally not super organized.

David Allen's book "Getting Things Done" is the center of a cult. And cult, in this instance, is not a pejorative - it's a compliment.

Allen has written a classic book on approaching life.

Write everything down. Sort it. Do some things immediately, do some later. Everything must be out of your mind and on a list.

It sounds so simple - and it is so difficult to consistently put into practice.

Allen is, in my opinion, something approaching a genius. If not a genius, then a very bright man who has glimpsed the way to making your life, as he says, productive without stress.

I just wish I could actually get all his concepts into practice.

Jerry

This book could also be titled "The quintaessence of time management".
Im usually very skeptical of self help books, but I trusted the person who recommended it to me. If you read it carefully, it explains to you the root cause of procrastination and how to fight it. Particularly the "two minute rule" changed the way I do things. Now I have my room clean most of the time.
The book is not perfect. I think its filled with many unnecessary content, but I found this book so useful and inspiring that its a minor detail for me. You can really feel the author's enthusiasm about his mission of changing the readers life.
Give it a shot. The time and money youll invest in this book youll likely get recovered soon.

This was a well written book with some excellent points on item management. However, I think his system falls short in an electronic age where information flow is much greater than in the past. I have even used his Outlook plug-in to try and implement his system electronically, but it becomes too combersome over a simple traditional filing methodology.

He disdains master to-do lists because nothing ever gets done according to him. As a business consultant working on 5-6 projects at a time I have found it is quite necessary to have master to-do lists in order to prioritize major milestones/tasks from different projects. I found more overhead trying to use his system when managing many projects.

I do agree on some major points in his book. Writing down everything you have to do, does in fact help relieve stress/worry. I think his system probably works best for individuals working on single threaded projects or departments within a single company. I recommend this book, even if you don't use his system.

What a pleasant surprise this book was. Yes, it is about getting things done in business and also in one's personal life without being stressed, but there is also a strong spiritual quality to the way it is explained. David Allen has a way with words that goes deeper than just providing information in a "matter of fact" way. It all makes a lot of sense and is easy to follow without having to be familiar with anything else that's been written about the subject. I highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to de-clutter all areas of his/her life.

The book presents the substance of David Allen's approach to personal productivity. There are lots of sound principles delivered in an undogmatic way. I'm still on my initial read but it'll take a lot of work to fully apply the system. I'm confident nonetheless that the investment in time and effort will pay off.

I just finished listening to the audio book, "The 4 Hour Work Week," which was an amazing book. Maybe that's why when I began listening to this book, I had a hard time staying awake. I kept asking myself, when is this guy going to get to the point? Why doesn't he just come out and say it? Stop worring about sounding educated and teach me something.

To be honest, I could not listen to the entire book. Maybe there are some good things in there, but I had heard enough to know I wasn't going to waste any more of my time. I am currently listening to "The 4 hour work week" again.

I thought this was going to be another one of those self help type books that had a lot of good thoughts but nothing practical in it. This book is quite the opposite. In the first few chapters, you are already able to apply some simple principles and get yourself organized quickly. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a lot going on in your life. A fantastic way to reduce your stress believe it or not.

and this book will organize your life. make the time as a priority, and it's a life-changer - for the good. consistency is the key, though. if not on top of weekly reviews, you just fall back to the natural state of disorder.
if you're committed, you'll fly.

This book is quick and easy to read. It offers a unique approach to time management and productivity. Very helpful! Anyone who needs to multi-task will find it useful!

This book has totally revolutionized the way I handle my incoming work and file what I've done. David's tips for organization, filing, and even productivity were just what I needed.

I haven't finished doing all the work I need to do to take full advantage of his knowledge, but I'm getting there. Restructuring my desk space was hard work but oh so worth it.

Thanks to this book, I can now FIND that email I know I saved... somewhere.

This book is theraputic and probably saved me thousands on a shrink! I also got Mr Instability a while back for my career problems and it was also excellent! Self Help books are really becoming effective these days!

I've been looking for a good personal workflow management system and this one delivers. It was easy to understand and I had it up and running in about a day. After about 4 weeks, i find myself more adaptable and able to accommodate more projects without working harder. I'm going to stick with it to see where it leads...