Create a GTD Notebook

[4muumia]

I started my gtd journey in 2007, i think i saw this video in dec 2007. Theres something very inspirational in your gtd vids. Not that there arent other ways of refocusing, but when down and out, your vids help to refocus easily (with a smile). Thanks!

[heathervescent]

@4muumia So glad to hear the videos help!

[dominionist]

thank you :)

[rulis124]

Brainy girls are sexy. :) Great tips, Thanks. :}

[BilliantLady]

lo-fi - I love it!

[bbbbbb222222]

lol I just heard about this "gtd" stuff and about david allen, and I have been using a folder to write projects on since years ago

[2submit]

okay your hot

[italouruguayricano]

I love how you say kickass.

[mscrazysugar1]

thankzz :) .. it .. iz supercool bt i think we need a thick book 4 it :) .. anywayz

keep creating

luv

- sugar :)

[zoomlock]

Thank you very much for the idea! This year I'll start using it at the university

[me4d]

now not to forget to look in the notebook ))

[nordas1]

groundbreaking

[mitalimahela]

That is great video ..a very helping one

[OneSummerSky]

are the plastic-tabs removable? in case you need more or less pages for a particular tab down the road?

if youre still kind of exploring how many tabs to create, and which ones you actually gonna use, it may not be a very flexible system once youve chosen a certain format?

[heathervescent]

My notebooks are replaced after 2-6 months, so the number of pages I need inbetween tabs does change. Only once did I run out of pages between tabs and this became one of the reasons to make a new book.

Give yourself plenty of space, use the book, if you run out of pages it's a good excuse to make a new book, if you don't run out of pages, adjust the pages in your next one.

After a couple books, you will know how many pages you need for each tab (they may not all be the same)

[OneSummerSky]

thanks for the feedback!

[heathervescent]

You're welcome!

[Stahlross]

@heathervescent wait, you put down the notebook even half of the pages are completely empty?

[heathervescent]

@Stahlross when you start out yes, you might fill the notebook up or not. you create a new one when you feel ready to start a new one.

[halilosmanoglou]

omg !!!! you kick ass

[duongdiana]

heather, can you tell me exactly which pages you placed the tabs? do you skip a few pages and how do you know how many pages to skip? or are the tabs on consecutive tabs? sorry if it's a dumb question!

[heathervescent]

I usually skip a few pages depending on how often I use that section. For example, one of my tabs I use very rarely, so I leave it 1 page, while another one I use all the time, so I give it 5 or so pages. You'll need to adjust the pages based on how you use your book. Good luck! :)

[appliedgravity]

nice

[benijun]

Hey that would make a great iPhone app..

[twackerx]

Thanks. Great Tips, Give me penmanship over menus anyday...

[ntaaid]

Love it. I needed a place to start and I think this might just be the best way to understand the sytem quickly and also make it work for one right away. Very smart. Thank you!

[heathervescent]

Great. Glad it helped and inspired you. :)

[heathervescent]

I'll bet at least once you have run out of juice when you needed it. However if it works for you - that's awesome! Not everyone can keep all their devices charged 24/7.

[cheetaz49]

great video!

[heathervescent]

Thanks!

[NuSound8]

That a good idea...... I just found out that Microsoft Office has something called "OneNote", which essentially does the same this as a GTD book. It also has some other really cool features.

[heathervescent]

I've used OneNote. It's really quite cool and you can basically create an online notebook. But there are still some "problems" for me with an online notebook, like you always have to have electricity to use it - even to just look at something. It's great if you are always connected to your computer - but sometimes you are not near it - and it's a hassle to boot it up to check a list.

[NuSound8]

I agree.  I actually prefer writing stuff down.

[TerrestrialBiped]

Why would I spend 3 or 4 dollars on a simple notebook when I could spend a couple grand on a laptop, iphone, and special GTD software? Whoever has the most toys wins, right?

[coolcanuck]

hilarious man

[Namo4184]

I think the secret for it not to take longer is to use the next action list as a kick starting a project reminder deal. Don't try to put every action for the project there. and if your project really does require a lot of steps you need to write down, then use project support material.

[heathervescent]

Totally!

[reaper151515]

do u know gianna micheals u look like her

[heathervescent]

ha ha. I looked her up. Funny!

[jpaynecr]

I have read GTD. I am the only one that thinks that it takes longer to use GTD than it takes to to just get it done?

[heathervescent]

Well, when you are first learning/integrating it with your life - yes it might take a bit longer. Also if you are more inclined to move things around instead of do things - yes you could use this as a way to procrastinate. Like anything - you need to have a little discipline for it to work.

[1968eric]

It takes longer to sharpen a saw than cut one piece of wood. If you only have one piece of wood to cut, don't sharpen your saw.

[docetrago]

hmmmm que gata mais delicia essa hein

[heathervescent]

obrigada menina.

[lfsmartins]

Where does this obrigada menina comes from? U got something to do with brazil?

[micheletoscan]

OMG!!! The twin sister of Gianna Michaels! I thought it was her for a moment!

[Katester57]

P.S. - Re Dollar Store, I DO use the alphabetized address/phone organizers, but to record DATA other than address/phone. That is, for a list of all stats for family (sizes, etc.) Info about my CAR, Great way to keep a pocket alpha filing system... Just an FYI...

[heathervescent]

Very cool idea. I've also taken notebooks and numbered the pages. Then I create a table of contents and keep track of my notes as I write them. This makes it easy to find your notes quickly.

[kattatonic1]

That's a friggin beautiful idea.  Thx.

[Katester57]

Heather, you have identified a need and filled it. Great job of demonstrating a skill that some take for granted and others don't know how to begin.

[heathervescent]

Glad it was helpful for you!

[johntkucz]

I only use electronic-based GTD capturing devices, but this video sparked some great ides for gtd application organization!

[heathervescent]

That's great!

[johntkucz]

Awesome video. I've focused on a series of high-end GTD apps such as omnifocus, devonthink, iGTD, etc. So this was refreshing, simple, and useful.

[heathervescent]

Thanks!

[Bopgenova]

This is great! I have just spent 10 hours creating one place for all my stuff the GTD way based on David Allen's book. I was starting to get a bit confused and disheartened, but watching your video has inspired me to keep going. Thanks!

[heathervescent]

Great! I'm so happy my video helped!

[cat3445]

i could make a notebook...or...BUY AN AGENDA!

why the hell did guy make a book showing ppl how to make an agenda when you could just buy one in a dollar store or some other place

[heathervescent]

I can guarantee the ones you buy at the dollar store are very different from the one you make. Mass marketed notebooks are not close to being personalize and optimized for your style. Don't let that stop you from using what you can buy if that works for you though.

Don't diss what works for other people though.

[heathervescent]

Glad you like it! Hope it helps!

[kristinei]

i really need it for my job...thnx so much

[kristinei]

very nice heatther...thnks... im inspired:D

[dannielo]

For implementing GTd you can try this web-based application: Gtdagenda

[dalekeener]

Heather,

Outstanding video!..Gave me some good ideas...Love the sticky tab ideas. I like pen and paper much better myself to using a computer...Keep up the good work...

Dale

[heathervescent]

Thanks Dale! Glad you enjoyed it.

[zoolander8888]

Sticky tabs? notebook?

Ever heard of a computer?

[heathervescent]

gee - since I made a video about it, I wonder? But jus cause I have one (or 4) doesn't mean I want to take it with me all the time! I love a nicely sharpened pencil.

[zoolander8888]

lol, love your sarcasm Heather.

But just because you can work a webcam doesn't mean you can come to the realization that storing notes digitally is more efficient, resilient, robust, and increases the availability, findability, and modifiability of your note content.

But if you're away from a digital data taking device and need to take notes still, then it makes sense.

ps. I'm listening to Allen's audios right now.

Thanks.

[heathervescent]

I am checking out OneNote - but as a 12 year veteran of the tech boom (I was an AJAX tech evangelist & product manager in Silicon Valley back around 2000) I still like pen and paper.

GTD is about the process that works for you. If a blackberry or iPhone is your best method go for it. If you prefer Moleskins - there's a way for that too. One is not better than another - unless it's your way - which is best for you.

[JohnV474]

Storing notes digitally is not inherently more efficient nor does it increase the availability or findability of the most common information. A well-organized paper system will have digital beat when it comes to getting most new information entered as well as retrieval times. Aside from those benefits, paper is cheaper, more resilient (water damages paper and ruins PDA's), and doesn't require chargers or adapters. Next time you may want to think it through before entering snotty remarks.

[heathervescent]

The reminds me of the major reason I use a paper based system - electricity. You never need to recharge a pen and paper!

[Yonmon1966]

Fair enough- whatever works for you.

Do you try and limit the number of new notebooks you generate?

[heathervescent]

If that type of system works for you - by all means use it.

I don't limited myself to any number of notebooks. I just make a new one when I need it - which is about one every 2 to 4 months.

[Yonmon1966]

Wouldn't it be better to use a filofax or similar, so that pages can be added to sections or moved between sections?

[heathervescent]

It really depends on how you use your system. I personally am distracted by the additional configuration options of those systems. I allow 2-5 pages for each section and by the time I have filled up those pages, I'm ready to do a new book anyway.

[firecorona]

Heather, what type of notebook do you use. A spiral or a moleskine?

Thanks

[heathervescent]

I've used a variety depending on my fickleness. I'm currently using a moleskin, but I also have a fondness for Mead's plastic covered spiral notebook. It really comes down to what YOU like.

[Airkewld2008]

Heather you rock, you make GTD interestingly cool & sexy!!

[heathervescent]

Thanks!

[dannielo]

I recently found Gtdagenda and I think it fits perfectly with GTD. It has goals, projects and tasks, contexts, next actions, checklists, schedules and a simple calendar.

[heathervescent]

Cool. I'll have to check it out!

[bunnanboy]

Great Video. I am currently readung the book right now. wHAT ARE A LIST FOR TE TABS.

[heathervescent]

The list is too long to include in a comment, but click the link in the "more info" part of the video description.

[heathervescent]

1. Goals: My general big goals

2. Projects: More or less my active project list

3. Someday: Projects I want to do ... someday

4. Lists: My general catch-all tab for listy things. (Note: I used to have separate tabs for music, book recommendations, but I found it was easier for me to put it all on one list tab.)

5. @ASAP: My first @ (at) tab. Things I need to do RIGHT NOW

6. @wait: stuff I am waiting to hear back from people

7. @home: stuff I need to do at home

[heathervescent]

8. @brain: stuff I need to think about (half thoughts I want to flesh out more)

9. @laptop: stuff I do at my computer (which is a laptop)

10. @phone: people I have to call

11. @email: emails I have to send (or respond to) Note: I also manage my email in my email client. These are emails that I think of sending when I am not near my computer.

12. @car: stuff I have to do in my car, errands, etc

13. Agenda: My notes, fleshing out tasks, section of my notebook

[heathervescent]

ther tabs I have had in my notebooks

- Contacts: phone numbers, emails, etc

- Travel: travel schedule

- Inbox: I used to have a tab for inbox items, but I tend to process those on my desk and not in my notebook

- 2Blog: blog post ideas

- KickAss: Specific projects, ideas that kick ass

And then I have had project specific tabs for my clients, website or work.

[bagombosnuffbox]

Great video, love your back-to-basics implementation of GTD. Good advice here, many thanks.

[heathervescent]

You're welcome. Glad to hear it's helpful for you!

[JasperEliot]

Thanks, Heather. You actually make GTD seem sexy. (Biggest value for me was hearing the categories you've used to separate your things to do. Think I'll borrow it.) Time to go kick some ass!

[heathervescent]

GTD is sexy! ;) Are you kicking ass already?

[lifeisadancer]

I am a GTD newbie and finding you advice very useful. Thanks.

[heathervescent]

Great. I am glad.

[heathervescent]

GTD is still going strong (after a brief fall off the wagon) in fact, I'm working on some new videos. Glad to hear it is helpful for you!

[astridac]

your videos r great...i used ur jello shots recepie and now im totally going do the GTD notebook...this video gave me great ideas to get organized...and kick ass!!! jaja =)

[mikecano]

Thanks for the video and great tips, from the video I read the book and created a notebook similar to yours. How are you GTD from a year a ago?

[SASWombat]

awesome tutorial...I just got into GTD the past few months, but quit because I couldn't get a good notebook. Now I am ready to kick ass as you say :)

[rcadecaro]

Very useful and very impressive.

Congratulations

[heathervescent]

mag4mag & drfox03, you're both welcome. So glad this video has been helpful for you. I hope you're able to kick some ass! :)

[drfox03]

Great Heathervescent. Your video will help me to begin living with GTD.

[heathervescent]

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!

[intellectualwhore]

Good Job Darling..

Official props from the David Allen Co.

=]

[prismaxxx]

great job, really practical. By the way, you are so pretty and I love your hair

[qxxx]

reading few sites about gtd... need this stuff too, hehe, btw: you are hot ;)

[prismaxxx]

nice job. By the way, you are so pretty, and I like your hair

[heathervescent]

you're welcome. glad it helped.

[JCJAGUAR2001]

thanks for the "how to" heathervescent. i realized now that the reason why i couldn't just get started was that David recommends a great number of folders, containers etc. It's not definitely not cost effective whereas your suggestion of simply using sticky tabs totally and utterly yet simply makes total sense. easy, economical and kick-ass. Thanks.