Strange to relate but writing my earlier post prompted me to re-evaluate my current GTD set up. Upon reflection, I was letting the tinkering with my Shadow - ActionNames - Cryptopad setup get in the way of actually doing stuff. This is typical for me, as I love to experiment with software and see what I can achieve with various combinations. Realising that I was not doing myself any favours I have, in the last 24 hours, moved back to a 'plain vanilla' set up in order to get 'back to basics' and get back on track. This decision, coupled with a few well-spent hours (gifted to me by a cancelled meeting!) spent clearing the clutter from my desk and getting my filing in order has improved my mood and my attitude towards my work and the major projects that lie ahead. Just having a clear set of to do actions, clearer project goals and considered agendas for upcoming meetings has proved to be just what I needed to get be back 'in the groove'.
Posted by bignoseduglyguy at May 20, 2003 10:58 PM | TrackBackBut it's SO much fun to tinker with software! And it's a lot harder to come up with meaningful next actions to accomplish something.
I think, in some ways, a short bout of playing with software can be beneficial. It forces you to think about how you are working and whether your current system is working. It can be useful to consider other ways to work. The problem is that it sucks up your free time, and has you thinking about software instead of what you should be doing.
Simple is always going to be a better choice in the long run, since it means that you can still function when ill or swamped at work. It can be so effective that you become bored with it *grin*! Since you were lucky enough to have time to move back to simpler, there's no harm done.
(and I spent yesterday reinstalling Life Balance and promptly dropped a dozen items into it that had never made it into Projects. As much as I liked that program, I'm just not as serious when I'm trying something new.)
Posted by: Teri Pittman at June 2, 2003 02:41 PMFun comments! I know that the tightrope is thin, do I take a step forward, or balance right here were I am? Stepping out of that comfort zone, invariably, will kick start me somewhere were new opportunities might show up. In any event, I'll take the different over the stale.
Thanks for reminding me (I was just Googling and found these comments) about the power of simplicity in making and enacting very complex decisions...