Compact GTD system

[jwz]

I've had problems with my previous GTD systems, because I don't spend the majority of my time in front of my computer and I don't really want to bring a lot of index cards with me.

After some surfing I found a lot of tips on "modding" a Moleskine (little expensive notebook) to suit one's GTD needs.

A nice-looking single notebook is much more appealing that walking around with a lot of index-cards and other paperstuff.
And with a modified notebook I don't even have to use my computer.

Nice notebooks with lots of pages are hard to find where I live. The Moleskine has 192 pages and has a back-pocket.

(I only use computer GTD applications when I work on a larger project at home)

BUT after reading through many Moleskin hacks, I found that pretty much none of them suited my needs although I have borrowed a lot of features from
a couple of them.

Want to check out how I'm going to setup my very much portable compact GTD system?

Check here: The World Seen Through My Humble Eyes

Feel free to comment.

(the actual notebooks haven't arrived yet, so I still need to upload walkthrough-pictures)

[jwz]

Updated with pics.
Check here: Moleskines finally arrived « The World Seen Through My Humble Eyes



I recieved the Moleskines, and they're very nice.

[Smarky]

Just Remember that being Productive has gotten to this huge complex thing, just do the stuff you need to do, when you need to do it to be who you wish to be in every moment.

Personally I hate such systems as GTD.

[jwz]

Thanks for your reply, Smarky.

But I think that you misunderstand the concept of the GTD system.

Yes, it's a "huge" system to write down a to-do list, but that's not all there is to it.

It's purpose is to empty your mind of the countless things you think about so that you can spend your time without having to stress about things that you want or need to do in the future.

It also saves every good idea that you get. By not using the GTD system, many ideas which could have great potential will just be forgotten.

It sort of moves the practical planning / remembering section out of your brain so that you've got energy / room to enjoy yourself.

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By implementing the most important parts of GTD into a small notebook, you avoid ending up with countless folders and GTD system stuff in your home.
All you need is your notebook.
The reason for me to choose the Moleskine for this is that it's really nice. Makes me want to write in it.
And the fabric bookmark is a very nice feature also.

[Smarky]

I love Moleskine

I hate GTD. It's a boring corporate robot way of thinking, at least that is how I look at it.

I don't lose my ideas, I write them all down.

You might like to read this =) Productivity is Dead! Long Live Living! | Put Things Off

[jwz]

I somehow agree with you.

The Moleskine hack is not exactly David Allens GTD.
It's a simplified system. Much simpler IMO.

After setup of the Moleskine, theres a huge section of the notebook where you write down anything. Then there's a couple of seperate to-do lists depending on where exactly you are. Work, home etc.

I wouldn't implement the "entire" GTD system into my life either.
It would take too much time fiddling with the system.

But I love to be able to look up the "work" section while at work every once in a while just to check if I'm forgetting something very important to do.

I think that you might change your opinion a bit on this when / if you check my pics and skim quickly through the walkthrough.

As I said, when the setup is done, there's not much to it other than writing down your thoughts and then sort them whenever you got the time for it.

It "stores" many small good ideas that you would forget otherwise.

Regarding the "put it off" concept, it's pretty much exactly what this system does for me. I write down things to do and thoughts as I get them, so that I don't have to fill my head with them.
This way I can completely relax, live my life knowing that all I have to do is to peek in my notebook to that there's nothing utterly important that needs doing.

Then I can work on my to-do's and projects whenever I feel like it.

[Smarky]

Well I think the best systems are the ones we make up for ourselves and your doing that based around some ideas in GTD which is great.

I'm still trying to find my system, I know it's not GTD. I know I will capture and write things down a lot, because I do that anyway.

I'm not the most naturally organized person in the world, that's perhaps what I'm struggling with personally, compared to when I was at college, that was easy. Be here then, do this now. It's when managing myself that I get lost!

Glad you fould the system that works for you and thanks for sharing that.

[jwz]

Your welcome and thanks for this little discussion
Good luck finding YOUR system