TO DO Lists and Getting Things Done.

I am in California at a Seagate conference. The pace of the conference has been slow which has allowed me to keep on top of emails and do a few scheduled phone calls. I even got in not just one run but two today.

I opted not to play golf or do the spa. Golf is on my "don't yet do list" and I never have done spa. This freed up a good block of time.

I spent a few minutes on my TO DO list. 2 tricks I have found very useful in getting things done:

1 - I try to put the first action I plan to do an any TO DO list item. Not just the item. Often this spurs me to action and gets me moving on the task. If it does not, it plants the seed so I am more ready to approach the problem when I do start it.

2 - Much of TO DO lists and problem solving has to do with proper problem definition. I find if I define what I am trying to do well, it gets solved. Spending more time on defining the problem has helped me get things done.

Both of these tricks are explained well in a book by David Allen called "Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress-Free Productivity". I re-read the book on the flight out.

Off to a reception and dinner now.