Getting Things Done (GTD) explained
GTD has five steps: capture, clarify, organise, reflect and engage. The idea is that your mind is for having ideas, not holding them, so everything goes into lists you trust.
Next actions, project lists, a someday/maybe list and the weekly review are the parts most people keep, even when they do not follow the whole system.
Try it today
- Write down every open loop on your mind into one inbox.
- For each item, decide the very next physical action.
- Put a 30-minute weekly review in your calendar.
Where it comes from
David Allen introduced the method in his book Getting Things Done, first published in 2001.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Getting Things Done?
- Getting Things Done, or GTD, is a personal productivity method where you capture every task and idea in a trusted system, decide the next action for each, and review it all every week.
- Where does Getting Things Done come from?
- David Allen introduced the method in his book Getting Things Done, first published in 2001.
- How do I start with Getting Things Done?
- Write down every open loop on your mind into one inbox. For each item, decide the very next physical action. Put a 30-minute weekly review in your calendar.
- Which tools help with Getting Things Done?
- Tools in our directory that help include Todoist, Things 3, TickTick, Notion. Each has its own page with pricing, pros and cons.