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Getting Things Done with a Custom Paper-Based GTD Planner (D219)

Tasra Dawson —  April 7, 2010 — 12 Comments

The time has come. I’ve resurrected my GTD system. I’ve climbed back on the GTD bandwagon.

For those who don’t know, GTD is short for Getting Things Done, a philosophy and way of organizing life created by David Allen. For me, it boils down to figuring out what matters most and focusing on that.

tasra365 GTD paper planner 4 Getting Things Done with a Custom Paper Based GTD Planner (D219)

MAKE IT YOUR OWN
I was introduced to GTD several years ago by Kevin Swan, photographer and branding guru. The strategies and ideas immediately resonated and I set to work implementing GTD in every area of my life. That included creating a custom paper-based GTD planner and even shooting a Real Women Scrap TV video with detailed instructions on how to create one of your own.

tasra365 GTD paper planner 2 Getting Things Done with a Custom Paper Based GTD Planner (D219)

THE APPLE WAY tasra365 GTD paper planner side Getting Things Done with a Custom Paper Based GTD Planner (D219)
GTD was an incredibly useful strategy to organize all the aspects of my work and personal life. I stopped using it when I took a design and writing job at Apple. The amount of information increased exponentially and I was in an environment that thrived on high tech organizing solutions, so I adapted to my environment.

DEVELOPING THE HABIT
Since then, I got out of the habit and discipline that GTD instills and requires of me. The last couple weeks of traveling and attending photography workshops and events drove me back to my system and I’m falling in love with it all over again.

Here’s why:

  • The space it clears in my head and on my desk are significant.
  • The productivity that it brings back into my work and personal life are noticeable.
  • The contentment that I achieved what needed to be done at the end of the day is satisfying.

Check it out. You might be surprised at how it can revolutionize your life and work. Even Dane Sanders recommends the book and system in his Fast Track Photographer workshops.

Everyone implements it in their own unique way. The paper-based planner in the images is mine… complete with 12 tabs. You can see my list of GTD planner tabs on a previous post I wrote when I started using the system. tasra365 GTD paper planner Getting Things Done with a Custom Paper Based GTD Planner (D219)

Got questions about the system? Ask in the comments and I’ll help where I can.

What system do you use for organizing? Paper or electronic?

Today’s Images: 50 mm lens, natural light, white backdrop. Processed in Photoshop using Kubota Actions Daily Multivitamin.
Manual: Page 15
Images: Chase Jarvis

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Tasra Dawson

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Author, designer, photographer, teacher... just an artistic curious girl learning to live insanely great and sharing what I learn along the way.
  • http://www.siamcdonald.com/ Sia McDonald

    I love pen and paper! I could never get on board with techy means of organization. I love physically crossing things off of a list. I am reading the book now and will be done Friday. I am looking forward to implementing the strategy.

    • http://tasra365.com tasra

      It's so interesting to me to see how much personality and preference play a role in how we organize our lives. I think that once we embrace our unique style of learning and organizing, we will open ourselves up to such greater productivity. I'm working on it!

  • Judy Knesel

    Pretty cool file system.

    • http://tasra365.com tasra

      Thanks Judy! I love it too… makes me want to open it up and look inside instead of avoiding stuff I have to do. :-)

  • Pingback: Busy as a Bee Getting Things Done (D221) | tasra mar | transform — your images, your albums, your life (tm)

  • http://www.ourhomeschoolhome.com/ RobynOHSH

    Paper is a MUST for me to get anything accomplished. This system sounds interesting. I recently blogged about Productivity with Paper. Come on by and check it out when you can.

    Oh — I'm the Georgia Peach ! ;)

    • http://tasra365.com tasra

      I will definitely stop by and check out your productivity with paper post. Like I always say, I'm an organizing addict… always looking for the next tool or idea that will help me get more done in less time. I can't wait to read the new book called Making Ideas Happen… have you heard of it?

  • dan

    For implementing GTD you can use this web-based application:

    http://www.Gtdagenda.com

    You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
    Comes with a mobile version too, and with an Android app.

    • http://tasra365.com tasra

      Looks like an interesting program… I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

  • http://www.naomifigueroaphotography.com Naomi

    Love this! It definitely inspired me, and then a week or so later I found the “Getting Things Done” planner in the calendars/planners section at Staples. BUT, it was something like $50, plus I wanted to really customize it. So, I came home and wrote down the sections he uses (check out some great free resources on his website http://www.davidco.com/), and I wrote down the sections you used, and then I brainstormed my own list. Here's what works for me (photography business):
    Big Picture (love this–goals, long term projects, why I do what I do)
    Notes/Inbox (to write everything as it comes to my head)
    Calendar
    Action (for those to-do's…the pages will be broken down by where I do them, as suggested)
    Blog (from brainstorming stories to actually writing them, I like to physically write, not just type)
    Inspiration (inspiring quotes, ideas, etc)
    Learning (notes from workshops, books, mags, etc)
    Clients (this is yet to be hashed out, but it will be where I can detail workflow processes and ideas for clients, also maybe a directory of sorts where I can list when they contacted me, etc)
    Telephone/Address
    Financial (really a place to track income and expenses month by month, as I am still quite a small operation and I believe this will be enough–for now!)
    Business Cards

    I got a faux leather “binder” that most closely resembled the GTD binder I saw, but I got it at Target for $10, plus some dividers and paper, and I spent a total of about $30 for a customized planner.

    Also, just wanna say that you all should check out Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Red Book of Sales Answers if you haven't before. I've barely started it and have found quite a great resource on goal setting. I just hashed out quite a comprehensive goal (in my “Big Picture” section) and feel that it's very organized and clear in my mind.
    Ahh, feeling super inspired! Thanks!

    • http://tasra365.com tasra

      Wow, look at you, I'm so impressed. So where are the photos of your new creation? I'd love to see what you did.

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