Wednesday, November 3, 2010

10 reasons GTD systems are not for me

Watch this.

1. A system is an empty box. What matters is what you put inside it.
2. Systems like this are deceptive. They make you think that you have life and relationships under control. You don't.
3. I enjoy the adrenaline rush of occasionally not being able to find things. It makes me think up creative solutions.
4. Show me someone who has every piece of music is filed neatly and I'll show you someone who can't play without a score.
5. Making and maintaining systems can be a procrastination in itself. Don't make a note that you need to make the phone call! Just make the phone call!
6. Creativity is messy. Did Van Gough have a desk like that? Or Einstein? Or Luther?
7. Systems like this can only be maintained by certain personality types. Others will despair.
8. You will achieve more if you ride the wave of your personality. I manage to keep a pretty tidy house by limiting the amount of stuff I have inside it. The letter box is filled with messy, boring paper that will tell me to do things I don't want to do. The letter box can keep it. So can my pidgeon hole at work. If I'm looking or a bill to pay, I know where to go.
9. ?????
10. ??????

Can you suggest #9 and #10?

6 comments:

  1. 1. A system is an empty box. What matters is what you put inside it.
    Agreed

    2. Systems like this are deceptive. They make you think that you have life and relationships under control. You don't.
    Agreed

    3. I enjoy the adrenaline rush of occasionally not being able to find things. It makes me think up creative solutions.
    Good for you. I don't.

    4. Show me someone who has every piece of music is filed neatly and I'll show you someone who can't play without a score.
    And?

    5. Making and maintaining systems can be a procrastination in itself. Don't make a note that you need to make the phone call! Just make the phone call!
    Agreed

    6. Creativity is messy. Did Van Gough have a desk like that? Or Einstein? Or Luther?
    No idea.

    7. Systems like this can only be maintained by certain personality types. Others will despair.
    Perhaps. Maybe. I'll let you know.

    8. You will achieve more if you ride the wave of your personality. I manage to keep a pretty tidy house by limiting the amount of stuff I have inside it. The letter box is filled with messy, boring paper that will tell me to do things I don't want to do. The letter box can keep it. So can my pidgeon hole at work. If I'm looking or a bill to pay, I know where to go.
    Good for you. I can't live like that.

    9. ????? No Idea. This is your list

    10. ?????? as above

    ReplyDelete
  2. In many ways I agree with your comments. I was that guy who loved the rush that disorganisation brings. I mean, it is constant adrenaline when I have no idea where else I'm meant to be right now (that no doubt I've forgotten to turn up to).

    For me, the principles of GTD I have implemented have been mostly for the benefit of my long-suffering wife and co-workers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hmm, did you mean to have two posts with the same title (is the content exactly the same too?)?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Izaac. I'm coming from being a GTD hater to a GTD seeker.

    But your comment about its implementation in your life benefiting others almost makes me a convert.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is confusing. I didn't mean to have two posts exactly the same. Strange!

    I think perhaps I'm not all that disorganised. I always know where I'm supposed to be when. I don't miss deadlines - except with paperwork stuff and that's a separate issue (phobia). I do stuff other people around, but I don't think it's because I'm disorganised. Though it may seem that way sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You never would have had the two posts if you'd been a GTDer.

    ReplyDelete