Suggest Questions for our interview w/ David Allen (Getting Things Done Author)

[mouser]

We have some great news.

We will be conducting an interview with David Allen, the author of "Getting Things Done", for our next podcast.

Do you have questions you'd like us to ask him, about GTD or time management in general?

[nudone]

from his experience, how long does it usually take before someone quits using GTD methods - or any self-motivation techniques?

does he find/believe that his methods are maintained for longer?

what does he advise for sticking to GTD and how to get back into it when your realise you've given up using the techniques?

does he have much interest in people that do give up - does he consider it their own fault or is it something more intrinsic to human nature?

[momonan]

I understand he does coaching, too.  In his experience, what types of people are most likely to

1,  become interested in the GTD method?
2.  benefit from the GTD method?
3.  stick to the GTD method?

Some examples of "types of people," to get you started:

1.  people who are already naturally organized / people who are chronically disorganized
2.  people who have no control over their work environment / people who are self-employed
3.  people who go to an office every day / people who work at home
4.  people who work for a living / people who are either retired or do not work, but have many responsibilities or projects, or both.
5.  younger people / older people
6.  business people / creative artists
7.  like working with computers / hate working with computers

[momonan]

What is the single greatest obstacle people encounter that prevents them from doing the things that matter most to them?

Some examples, if he needs prodding:

1.  Not enough time?
2.  Outside forces or responsibilities?
2.  Don't know how to do the thing that matters most?
3.  Failure (or inability) to define what matter most?
4.  Deceiving themselves about what matters most?

[momonan]

Here are some questions going to the broader purpose of what we want to do:

1.  In a system, like GTD, that focuses so much on random thoughts put into a "TODO" format, what do you recommend a person do to make sure he/she is concentrating enough time and energy on the things that are really important for quality of life?

I'm thinking things like family, relationships, health, giving back to community, affecting the larger world.


2.  Is the GTD system compatible with the "First Things First" principles of Stephen Covey?  If so, can he explain how?

3.  Does he have any suggestions, within the GTD system, for ways we can stay focused on the things that matter most to us -- rather than just the things we have to do, or the things that happen to pop into our minds that we might want to do?

[Arjen]

1.  [..] what do you recommend a person do to make sure he/she is concentrating enough time and energy on the things that are really important for quality of life?

2.  Is the GTD system compatible with the "First Things First" principles of Stephen Covey?  If so, can he explain how?

3.  Does he have any suggestions [..] for ways we can stay focused on the things that matter most to us?

I second these questions!

Great to hear you'll be interviewing David Allen; any idea when?

Since we're doing this experiment to work out our own "system" that works best for us, it would be interesting to hear if David Allen has any tips, ideas or suggestions to guide us in this process.

Arjen.

[tomos]

1.  In a system, like GTD, that focuses so much on random thoughts put into a "TODO" format, what do you recommend a person do to make sure he/she is concentrating enough time and energy on the things that are really important for quality of life?

A variation on No. 1

1.  In a system, like GTD, that focuses so much on random thoughts put into a "TODO" format, what do you recommend a person do to make sure he/she is concentrating enough time and energy on the really important work things -
i.e.
you're getting the "little" things done, but you're not spending enough time on that (boring) WORK* that you're actually getting paid for.

*in my case "drawing" - it's not always boring but by god is it really boring when it is! - it could be anything, but when you're getting paid for that "Thing" & you're not getting it done you're in trouble.
I guess I'm thinking along the lines of self-motivation/discipline .... 

[mouser]

great suggestions!

[mouser]

The interview has now been conducted.  We've got 1hr 17min worth of raw audio to edit down to a reasonable size.  This month's podcast will consist solely of this interview.

[urlwolf]

wow. Congrats.