Use the Getting Things Done method (GTD) to be more productive at school ✍️

Do you need a better way to prioritize your classwork and get things done?

Overwhelmed with things to do? Can't seem to finish a project or assignment? Mind racing with too many ideas?

Discover the Getting Things Done method (GTD) of....well...getting things done!

The 5 steps of GTD can assist with task management and help you bring order to chaos!

Get started by clearing your mind of tasks.

• Log or list EVERYTHING on your mind "to-do" - big, small, mediocre

  • Anything that needs action : projects, household things, meetings, classwork, etc.

  • Use a trigger list to help you

• Use a physical or digital method for listing

• Add new tasks as they come up

Capture is important!

Hoarding information in your mind leads to overwhelm, stress, and anxiety. Capturing frees your mind from task-related thoughts.

The GTD method refers to this step as the "inbox" — like the inbox in an email — where all tasks land.

As new tasks come to mind, add them to the inbox.

Capturing can be done on any medium — physically writing or using an app. Todoist recommends using an app or some digital device so it will always be handy.

Now it's time to prioritize!

Prioritize each captured "to-do" into action steps. Use these headings as guides:

• Takes less than two minutes to complete

  • Complete these tasks right away!

• Can be delegated

• Has a specific date or deadline

• Involves multiple steps

• Will need for future reference

• No longer needed or has been completed

Use this video guide to help you prioritize!

Image & video by Wendy McMillian, voice over by Amazon Polly Text-to-Speech

Elaborate

Write out the specifics of each task you've listed to minimize wondering later.

Examples:

Images by Wendy McMillian

• Has no details and leaves you to wonder what you meant

• Has specifics to tell you what you need to do and when

Next, organize your list using headings for easy retrieval.

A place for everything, and everything in its place!

— Benjamin Franklin, American inventor

Some heading ideas are:

Projects

• Classify tasks that have more than one step as projects (ex/ building a display)

  • Break projects into sub-categories (ex/ materials, tools)

One-Off Tasks

• Tasks taking more than 2 minutes but having only one step (ex/ replying to an email)

Areas of Focus

• Tasks that are your life domains or goals (ex/ building a blog site, learning piano)

  • Break these into 2 categories: "school" and "personal"

Next Actions

• Tasks that you'll complete as soon as is convenient (ex/ return a phone call)

  • Use keywords for quick searches later

Due Date Tasks

• Tasks with deadlines or completion dates (ex/ term paper due)

Agendas

• Tasks to be talked over with others (ex/ group projects)

Reference Materials

• Anything you want to save for later (ex/ documents, reading materials, etc.)

Waiting for

• Tasks waiting for a response from someone (ex/ getting feedback on a project)

This is where you answer the question, "What is my current task?" Here, you'll decide what you'll do next based on:

Context

Without context, you can't take action!

• Are you in the right place?

• Do you have the needed tools?

• Do you have access to the right people?

Time Available

Choose tasks that fit your usable time.

• Is your time limited?

• Will the action take more time than you have?

Energy Level (Resources):

Energy is crucial for performance.

• Do you have the energy needed to complete the task?

• Are you mentally or physically exhausted?

• Do you have energy to spare?

Priorities

Consider GTD's Horizons of Focus, which includes task purpose, driving force, destination, primary concern, actions, and timeframe.

Reflecting allows you to scan your lists, projects, and to-dos. It's a way of looking ahead for the week or month.

As you look at your GTD tasks, ask yourself...

• What errands do I need to run today?

• What does my week look like?

• Do I have any deadlines to meet?

• Do I have any appointments or other commitments?

• Are there any lists, projects, or to-dos I can cross off?

• Are there any projects I'm committed to?

• Do I need to rearrange or reorganize any tasks?

• Am I on track with my goals?

Organizing GTD takes initial time and energy investment for setup, but the benefits will save you time in the future!