This book presents a grounds up approach for tackling the day to day planning and execution of one’s everyday life through a set of principles. I have read this book carefully, purchased a few of the enhancement products off his website, and moved into action. I found that it ties in well with my OPA Life Plan, providing the nuts and bolts of meeting my higher life goals through basic next actions.

Allen’s approach is not to look at the big picture first and, instead, focus on tactical next actions. Once those are out of the way, then the mind is clear or in the zone (where it then becomes more possible to think about the bigger picture). The principles revolve around five actions performed repeatedly:

• Collecting
• Processing
• Organizing
• Reviewing
• Doing

Before embarking on working through these five phases, I needed to set up my environment. I chose a spot in my workplace (my desk) and at home (my den). Next, I needed the processing tools and materials for the workflow system. In choosing these tools, I needed to decide on the balance between paper and electronic. For me, the best story is a blend of both. Some of the recommended tools include:

• Paper holding trays
• Paper/index cards/post-its
• Paper clips, stapler, scotch tape, rubber bands
• Automatic labler
• File folders and one or more filing cabinets
• Calendar
• If going electronic, a computer and/or a PDA

I went to Staples and bought a two drawer filing cabinet, some of the paper items and, most importantly, a Brother P-Touch labler for about $30. The labler runs on batteries and I can quickly type a label that I can then apply to a folder for a new reference topic. My calendar is in Outlook.

To implement this system I needed to do a thorough house cleaning. At work I didn’t have much so I was able to do this in a couple of days ~ however, at home it was more substantial. The hardest part was deciding what to do with all the paper that I had layng around. Having a good reference system is a critical part of the process. In Getting Things Done, the setup should enable a person to grab something, label and file it in LESS THAN A MINUTE. If the logistics don’t support this, then chances are a person won’t follow through consistently. Here are some pointers that help tip this process in a positive way:

• Have a lot of fresh folders and the labeler within hand’s reach.
• Use a one alpha system in the cabinet(s). Everything is stored A-Z.
• Keep the drawers less than 3/4 full. Otherwise it’s difficult to file and see what is at the back end.
• Use the labeler to label every file going in.
• Purge the files at least annually ~ there are files that, over time, will simply not be needed anymore.

I went through the cleanup at home. I tossed a lot of papers. I began labeling files and selectively storing papers for reference. Some of this stuff included insurance documents, bank, broker and credit card statements, and my industry certifications. I also had a folder of user manuals for products we use at home. Finally, I set up four rolling folders for receipts and current financial stuff (one for each of the past quarters). I had one more cabinet filled with the last ten years of tax returns (technically, only seven are needed). I also cleaned up stuff in my PC. I created folders under My Documents and organized the documents that I wanted to save. I purged a lot of my emails. At work, I did the same.

I went against the recommendations in a couple of places. I kept some older documents in a drawer downstairs even though I know I will never reference them. After working the system for a while, hopefully I will get rid of those. And I did not use an alpha system and, instead, kept the receipts in the front of the cabinet as I reference them much more often. I don’t have much of a reference on my computer. Instead of using all sorts of files to organize my older emails, I deleted them and reference them in the deleted items folder for the rare times that I need them. At the end of this process I felt great! I felt really good about myself and my environment.