Getting Things Done

(Nora) #1
PRACTICING STRESS-FREE PRODUCTIVITY I PART TWO

able to make some calls, you'd have to identify the items that were
calls among a big batch of unrelated items. When you went out to
do odds and ends, you'd probably want to pick out your errands
and make another list.
Another productivity factor that this kind of organization
supports is leveraging your energy when you're in a certain mode.
When you're in "phone mode," it helps to make a lot of phone
calls—just crank down your "Calls" list. When your computer is up
and running and you're cruising along digitally, it's useful to get as
much done on-line as you can without having to shift into another
kind of activity. It takes more energy than most people realize to
unhook out of one set of behaviors and get into another kind of
rhythm and tool set. And obviously, when a key person is sitting in
front of you in your office, you'd be wise to have all the things you
need to talk about with him or her immediately at hand.


The Most Common Categories of Action Reminders
You'll probably find that at least a few of the following common
list headings for next actions will make sense for you:



  • "Calls"

  • "At Computer"
    •"Errand's"

  • "Office Actions" or "At Office" (miscellaneous)

  • "At Home"

  • "Agendas" (for people and meetings)

  • "Read/Review"


"Calls" This is the list of all the phone calls you need to make;
you can work off it as long as you have a phone available. The
more mobile you are (especially if you have a cell phone), the
more useful you'll find it to have one single list of all your calls:
those strange little windows of time that you wind up with when
you're off-site or traveling—on a break or waiting for a plane,
maybe—offer a perfect opportunity to work down your list. Hav-

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