The GTD® Virtual Study Group

We continue the discussion on project planning in this episode. A tone more tools shared. And Ray shares a whole bunch of info about Evernote and integrations. So much goodness in this episode. Enjoy!

How do you plan your projects and integrate those into your GTD® System? How do you collaborate with your teams and manage your tasks separately from the project plans? What tools do you use for managing project plans and shared task lists? We cover it all in this episode! Enjoy! Check out the GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

A deep dive into Annual Reviews -- the good, the bad, the ugly! ;) Enjoy!

One of the most important pieces of our GTD® practices is our "trusted system" which includes our external brain or second brain. We talk about this in depth -- What do you use for an external brain? How do you get thing in there when it comes at you in ways you're not expecting? What workarounds do you have? So many great ideas in this episode! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: https://gtdvsg.com

This episode is all about checklists!!! Such a great listen! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

We started out thinking about tool switching and then found ourselves diving into all the tweaks we do/can do to our systems. Shiny things!!! We talk about checklists, various tools, and share how we use them. Lots of fun! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

An important part of our system is our reference materials. Many of us use Evernote and they had just come out with some major updates at the time of this recording, so we dove into reference filing with a focus on Evernote. Some great insight from people who really leverage Evernote! Also applicable to other apps, of course. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and much more: http://gtdvsg.com

We all have to renegotiate projects, tasks, deadlines from time to time. In this episode, we look at what might be causing the renegotiations and how to, maybe, create more realistic expectations for ourselves and others. Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Workflows are so important in managing our systems. They help keep things flowing. They can provide safeguards (like backing up or printing out). In this episode we talk about a ton of different workflows we use with our systems. So many great ideas! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

What does being a black belt at GTD really mean? Some surprising insights! You're really going to enjoy this one! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Sometimes life hits you with a bunch of projects all at the same time. How do you deal with the overwhelm? How do you know when to say "when"? In this episode, we share our experiences and how we've handled these situations. Enjoy! Check out the GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode we discuss Working from Zero. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Always a great topic! This is on of the places where people tend to get stuck in the GTD methodology. We talk all about the doing phase, now called the Engage phase. And we cover how prioritizing actually is helpful, just no in the way we were all originally taught to do it. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Communication plays such an important role in all of our lives. In this episode, we talk about communication from so many different perspectives. So many incredible insights! Enjoy! Check out the official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Oh! This is good one! An existential question: what is a next action? Interesting how it evolves for everyone over time. And so many great ideas on how to manage, organize, and get them out of the inbox. And how we're going to re-train the world! (Kidding... maybe...) Enjoy! Check out the official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode we talk about cleaning up our systems - spring cleaning and even declaring bankruptcy on our systems and starting over. So many great insights! Enjoy! Check out the official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode, the VSG talks about our workflows. One of the topics we dive into is processing our inboxes outside of the Weekly Review. And then we dive into the four D's -- Do, Defer, Delegate, and Delete. So much goodness in this one! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode we talk about mindfulness and being present in our worlds. We dive into what causes the friction to take you out of mindfulness and tips on how to get back to being mindful. We take a bit of a journey on this one. I think you'll love it! Check out the official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this call from 2021, we talk about the challenges of working from home and non-stop video conferencing as knowledge workers all over the world were forced into this new dynamic because of COVID stay-at-home mandates. We've now had a couple of years (who saw that coming?!) to adjust, but much of the same challenges remain. This is a great episode with lots of great insight! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Have you considered switching from digital to analog? Do you use both? How do you keep a hybrid system in sync? So many great ideas in this episode!! Thanks for the topic suggestion, Sebastian!! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: gtdvsg.com

We talk about dealing with overwhelm in this episode. Not just system or task overwhelm, but everything from a higher level perspective. This one is juicy and goes a little deep. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

So you've got a bunch of projects or a couple of huge projects with lots of moving pieces. How do you keep all those plates spinning without any falling plates? What's the workflow to help you see the big picture while still managing all the next actions? We talk about this in the abstract, but also in a tangible way. Bullet journal, anyone? This episode is overflowing with tips and ideas! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode we discuss reviewing and remodeling your system. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

No, I've not been sitting on that one! ;) It's been a crazy, crazy year. It's been hard on every one of us. But there's also been some good. In this episode, we look back at 2020 with our rose colored glasses and talk about our experiences, what we've gained, learned about ourselves and others, and ways we've grown. We even tie it back to GTD here and there. ;) Enjoy!

This topic was floating around the inter webs, so we decided to take a look at it -- is GTD still relevant in today's world? A lively discussion, for sure! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode, the GTDVSG discusses the value of quarterly planning for our GTD systems and the impacts for both higher horizons and daily tasks. You just may be inspired! Check out the official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Are you a Mac or a PC? ;) In this call, we talk about the comfort with our systems and how they become second nature and the impact of having to change to a new system. Lots of laughs and good times! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Do you time block? You may already be doing it and not even realize it. On this call, we dive into the topic and share all new perspectives. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Can partial implementation of the GTD methodology be effective? We dive into the topic and discuss how we all see to have begun with partial implementations and how the journey of practicing GTD changes over time. Lots of great insight and fun thoughts in this episode. Enjoy!! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode we talk about the Three-Fold Nature of Work -- pre-defined work, work as it appears, and defining work. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Do you use a tickler file? It's a staple of the GTD methodology. And it's interesting how's it's evolved over time from paper systems to digital systems. In this episode we chat about how we apply the theory of a Tickler file in our current systems. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Oh, the heresy! 😉 Is there really anything missing from the GTD Model? In this episode, we dive into an interesting conversation about GTD and what's missing for us… or what we missed. Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Such a great conversation about Horizons and how we come to understand and develop them for ourselves. If you've been struggling to define your higher horizons, this episode really might help shed some light on how some of us have worked on ours. Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

What does capturing look like? Analog? Digital? Separate Inboxes? Combined Inbox? On the go? What's the workflow? We chat all about this in this episode. Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

In this episode we discuss Contexts and how they are used in today's world. Contexts and their relevance has been a controversial topic for years since people have mini computers in their pockets so all contexts are available all the time, almost. But then came a pandemic and we're all home 24x7. So now what? The GTDVSG dives in and talks about what contexts mean to us in this new reality. Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

How do you improve your estimations of project timelines, or task timing? It's such a vital piece of managing projects and managing expectations — of clients, of partners, of teammates, of spouses... of ourselves! In this episode we talk about how we all try to tackle this in our own worlds. Thanks to Alex K for suggesting this episode's topic via our Facebook Group! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

GTD® is the art of stress-free productivity. And, we're finding that that couldn't be more true at this time in our world. GTD® is providing a bit of grounding in a time of major upheaval for many. We talk about that and how we're using our systems to find some normal in an abnormal time. Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Our world is a little topsy turvy at the moment. We're all experiencing a paradigm shift that was not a personal choice any of us made. So how can you adapt and cope with it all? How can GTD help to serve you and bring a little normalcy to your world. We dive into that and share what we've been doing, what's been working and not working. A big THANK YOU to our essential service workers!!! Stay safe, VSGer's! ❤️ Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Setting up your GTD® system can be time consuming! So when do you start to see return on your time investment? And what is the return on your investment? And what tricks have we learned over the years to help ourselves in terms of time? Lots of fun stuff shared in this episode of GTDVSG! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

A big thank you to Ray Sidney-Smith for guest hosting this episode of the GTDVSG!!! What does your morning GTD® routine look like? How do you set yourself up for the day? In this episode we discuss your GTD® Morning Routine. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Sometimes it's tricky to separate our personal and professional lives in our systems. Sometimes we have to due to requirements, but if we don't then things can get a little muddled. So how do we keep our systems working for us? And then there's the struggle to get our partners/colleagues/teammates to also do GTD. We talk about all this and more in this episode of the GTDVSG! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Do you find yourself avoiding using contexts sometimes? I know I did! (And not so secretly now, do still sometimes.) What's that all about? We cover that in this call. And how we do make our systems work with, and without, contexts. (Oh, the blasphemy!) ;) Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

How do you keep yourself inspired to manage your tasks using GTD®? In this episode of GTDVSG, we talk about our motivation — today, as well as, when we first began using GTD. Lots of great tips for newbies and veterans alike! So, how do you keep motivated with your system? Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Continuing the topic of Focusing on Goals from last episode, today we shared some more practical ideas around making those goals become projects and next actions. We talked about SMART goals, as well as, flexibility, and periodic reviews for alignment. And we looked defining those amorphous goals, you know... the ones that sound like pipe dreams. Who doesn't need a little help with that?! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

The end of the year is one of the natural points for reflection, of the past, the present, and the future. End of decades have an especially weighty feel, as well! In this episode, the GTDVSG talks about reflection and looking ahead at our goals for the immediate and distant future. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

So what do you do when a task really doesn't have more than one next action but you can't do it now. The VSG discusses how we handle that in our systems. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

We all experience it… that time when your day gets out of control! In today's episode, we talk about things your can do to get back in control and shift your perspective. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

We're getting started on considering this past year and planning for the upcoming year a little early! What did you do differently this year that worked? What new tricks did you implement that benefited your process? What started to really click and why? We dive into all this and so much more on this episode! Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

Today we talk transitions, like leaving a job, starting a job, moving, etc. Transitions are also a great time to take a look at your higher horizons and see if there are bigger shifts at play in your world, or if maybe they should be. We dive into multiple levels of the conversation in this episode. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com

To clean up your digital backlog or not to clean… not really a question for most of us Type A folks. 😉 In this episode we talk about the process and the organization that helps most of us keep our digital files in check. Enjoy! Check out the Official GTD® Virtual Study Group website for resources from the call and more: http://gtdvsg.com