what is gtd

Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity system developed by David Allen and published in a book of the same name. It is described as a time management system that aims to help individuals organize their tasks and projects in a way that reduces mental clutter and increases productivity. The GTD method involves capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying what each item means and what action needs to be taken, organizing the tasks into appropriate categories, reflecting on the tasks and making decisions about what to do next, and engaging with the tasks by taking action on them. The system is deliberately technologically neutral, meaning it can be implemented using various tools, whether digital or analog. GTD is based on the principle of moving all items of interest, relevant information, issues, tasks, and projects out of ones mind by recording them externally and then breaking them into actionable work items with known time limits. This allows individuals to focus their attention on taking action on each task listed in an external record, instead of relying on memory or intuition.