How I Get Things Done!
Life can get hectic when you're juggling multiple jobs, academic work, family responsibilities, and trying to maintain a social life. For me, the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology has been a game-changer, helping me stay organised and calm amid the chaos.
Why GTD Works for Me
At its core, GTD is about breaking down tasks and responsibilities into manageable pieces. Instead of keeping everything in my head, I follow a system that allows me to capture, clarify, and organize tasks so I can focus on the right thing at the right time. This process relieves the stress of trying to remember everything, allowing me to be more present in each area of my life.
How I Apply GTD to Multiple Jobs
I manage several jobs, which can easily become overwhelming if I’m not careful. GTD helps me separate the demands of each role. I create distinct task lists and project folders for each job. Here's how I approach it:
Capture Everything: I jot down every task, idea, or responsibility that comes to mind, whether it’s work-related or personal. This can be on paper, in an app, or a notebook – whatever’s convenient.
Clarify and Organise: After capturing everything, I go through the list and decide what’s actionable. Some items are quick tasks I can complete in two minutes, while others might require more time. I sort them into categories by job or area of responsibility.
Prioritise and Review: Every week, I conduct a review of all my lists and projects. This step is crucial for staying on top of things. I evaluate progress in each job, adjust deadlines, and reprioritise based on upcoming deadlines or meetings.
Balancing Family, Academic, and Social Commitments
I also apply GTD to manage my family obligations, academic studies, and social life. Here’s how it looks in practice:
Family: Family commitments often come with unexpected tasks and events. By keeping a separate list for family responsibilities, I ensure that nothing important falls through the cracks. It’s also helped me to be more proactive about scheduling quality time with loved ones.
Study: Whether it's writing papers, attending lectures, or preparing for exams, GTD helps me break larger academic goals into smaller steps, making them feel manageable. I block out specific times during the week to focus solely on my studies, ensuring that academic work doesn’t get buried under other responsibilities.
Social Life: I use GTD to prioritise and plan social activities. It sounds a little over-organised, but it actually helps me be more spontaneous. Since my work and personal tasks are organised, I can say "yes" to last-minute social events without feeling guilty or stressed about unfinished work.
The Key: Flexibility
The beauty of GTD is its flexibility. I’m not rigid about how I implement it—some weeks require more time for family, while others might demand extra attention to work or academics. GTD helps me flow between these roles, adjusting priorities as needed.
Final Thoughts
Using GTD has transformed how I approach my busy life. It gives me the clarity and confidence to manage multiple jobs, family commitments, academic pursuits, and still find time to enjoy social activities. The system keeps me grounded and focused, no matter how much I have on my plate.
If you’re balancing a lot of responsibilities like me, I highly recommend giving GTD a try. You might be surprised how much it can help you feel more in control.
Check out the original Getting Thing Done book by author and productivity expert David Allen.
If you would like to discuss how I can help you apply the GTD method, get in touch to see how I can help.
