Getting Things Done

The TL;DR

The original mind-like-water productivity system that has been used by serious operators for over two decades. Allen's core insight: your mind is for having ideas, not holding them. Capture 100% of your open loops into trusted external inboxes. For each item, clarify what it is and what the next physical action is. Use the two-minute rule: if an action takes less than two minutes, do it immediately rather than tracking it. Organize by context (at computer, at phone, errand) rather than by project. The weekly review is the linchpin — skip it and the system collapses into chaos. The goal is not more work; it's a clear head and confident engagement.

Core ideas

• 1Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.
• 2Capture 100% of open loops into trusted inboxes.
• 3For each item: what is it? what's the next physical action?
• 4Two-minute rule: if it takes <2 minutes, do it now.
• 5Weekly review is the linchpin. Skip it and the system collapses.

Key quotes

Apply it this week

• →Spend an afternoon doing a full inbox capture and sweep.
• →Add a recurring Friday weekly review block.
• →Apply the two-minute rule for the next 24 hours.