Learn David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology and how to implement it with LemTask.
Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen is one of the most influential productivity systems ever created. It's built on a simple principle: your mind is for having ideas, not holding them. This guide will teach you the core GTD concepts and how to implement them in LemTask.
GTD consists of five steps: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, and Engage. 1. **Capture**: Collect everything that has your attention into a trusted system (your inbox) 2. **Clarify**: Process what each item means and what action it requires 3. **Organize**: Put items where they belong based on what they are 4. **Reflect**: Review your system regularly (especially weekly) 5. **Engage**: Take action with confidence based on your trusted system
The first step is capturing everything that has your attention - tasks, ideas, commitments, anything that's on your mind. The goal is to empty your head into a trusted external system. In LemTask, use the inbox as your capture point. Voice input is especially powerful for quick capture - just speak your thoughts and LemTask transcribes and organizes them.
For each item in your inbox, ask: 'What is this? Is it actionable?' If not actionable: Trash it, file it as reference, or add to Someday/Maybe. If actionable: What's the next action? If it's a project (multiple actions), add to projects and identify the next action. If it takes 2 minutes, do it now. Otherwise, delegate it or defer it to your action list.
GTD uses specific lists to organize actionable items: - **Next Actions**: Tasks you can do now, often organized by context - **Projects**: Outcomes requiring more than one action - **Waiting For**: Things delegated to others - **Someday/Maybe**: Things you might want to do but not now - **Calendar**: Time-specific commitments only In LemTask, create lists for each context (Work, Home, Errands) and use the built-in Someday/Maybe view.
The weekly review is what makes GTD work. It's when you: 1. Get clear: Process all inboxes 2. Get current: Review all lists and projects 3. Get creative: Think about new projects and ideas LemTask has a built-in Weekly Review Wizard that guides you through this process. Schedule 30-60 minutes every week - this is non-negotiable.
Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them - capture everything
The 2-minute rule: if it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now
Weekly review is the critical habit that makes GTD work
Next actions must be concrete, physical, visible actions
Someday/Maybe protects your system from clutter
Set up your inbox in LemTask and capture everything for 24 hours
Create your context-based lists (Work, Home, Errands, etc.)
Process your inbox using the clarify workflow
Schedule your first weekly review
Practice for 2 weeks before judging the system
Basic concepts take an hour. Mastery takes 2-3 months of practice.
The book is excellent, but you can start with this guide and add depth later.
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