Here's How Getting Things Done Creator David Allen Organizes His Workspace [Workspaces]

What kind of stuff does the creator of productivity uber-system Getting Things Done keep handy in his home office? A few unique things, a few GTD-nerd things, and, reassuringly, some of the same stuff you have around. Including a clunky printer, and goofy, probably sentimental coffee mug.

GTD Times provides a full-size shot of David Allen's office, with labels helpfully provided by Mr. Allen himself. Many of the fixtures should be familiar to GTD-ers, like the "tickler" file, the notebooks at the ready for sudden inspiration, the in-basket, and, especially, the labeler. You'll also notice the reassuringly less-than-perfect cable clutter and the iPad. Check out the full-size shot at GTD times, and tell us what grabbed your attention in the comments.

David Allen's Five Steps to Optimizing Your Focus and Resources [Time Management]

Productivity guru David Allen—he of the popular Getting Things Done productivity system—writes on the New York Times about how technology overwhelms and damages our productivity. His solution: A five-step approach to prioritizing your focus.

As Allen lays it out, technology helps us accomplish previously huge tasks in less time, but that also means workers are responsible for an increasing list of tasks and responsibilities, and the result is an often overwhelmed workforce. Allen's five-step solution will look familiar to those conversant with GTD, which many of you are. The quick version looks a little like this:

Grab a notebook and dump every task begging for your attention into said notebook.Expand on the outcome you want from each item. Allen's previously mentioned two-minute rule applies here—if you can cross any of these tasks off your list in two minutes, you should do it now.Set up reminders for everything left in your list.Review and update your tasks weekly. (Allen suggests two hours every week.)Having captured your tasks thusly, "deploy your attention and resources appropriately".

That last bit may read a little like "Step 5: ? Step 6: Profit!", but Allen's basic idea is that the biggest obstacle to managing your time and resources is simply a matter of not having a solid grasp of everything you're responsible for, and that having captured and organized all of those tasks, you'll be able to make better decisions about how you spend your time.

Check out the full post for more details, and if you're a die-hard GTDer, let's hear how Allen's system works for you (particularly regarding focusing your resources) in the comments. Photo by ostill.

When Office Technology Overwhelms, Get Organized | NYT