Project overload
Published by on June 29th, 2008
No, it’s not a code-name for the next TableRappers book, but the arrival of a critical decision point.
In typically ADD-brain type activity, I have once again taken on too much in too short a time. It’s a viscious circle to which, I suspect, many readers of this blog can relate.
Ideas, and potential projects abound, and the next shiny and temptingly sweet prospect delivered via the internet grabs one’s attention and refocuses a little of one’s activity. Piece by piece, larger projects lose to smaller ones leading to the inevitable degradation of the amount of energy applied to what is important.
I reached that stage this week in a very big way.
It is not unfamiliar, however, and as I know how to deal with it. The frustration for me is triggered by the lack of awareness that overload is approaching. Each distracting step is small, enough to go almost unnoticed in the hectic day-to-day activity. Eventually, the task lists for those insignificant projects is overflowing, while that of the larger projects are all overdue. It is a vicious circle of scrabbling at the new under th illusion it will help drive the old. Invariably it is at the cost of the old.
Work commitments are about to increase, too, as my responsibilities and targets change - thankfully to far more focused and defined activities (at last!).
So as we saunter into the Summer months - with a brolly under one arm just in case - it is time to simplify and consolidate, and return to having a little time to just sit and read a book purely for the pleasure of it once in a while.
2 Responses to “Project overload”
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June 30th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
For implementing GTD you might try out 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.
A mobile version is available too.
As with the last update, now you can add or invite Contacts, and share your Projects and Contexts with them.
Hope you like it.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thanks Dan. Looking through how it does things and how tasks and projects are organised, it’s not for me I’m afraid. One of the failings of most GTD “solutions” - particularly those used via a web browser, interestingly - is they break the fundamental necessity of getting things done: keep it simple. Tools like this invariably introduce layers of complexity that are unnecessary to the core process and that lead inevitably to spending more time working with the GTD solution than actually getting things done. Just my experience, of course.