Tell me more ×
Personal Productivity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people wanting to improve their personal productivity. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 17 down vote favorite
12

What are likely alternatives to the Getting Things Done productivity system?

  • Full fledged alternatives that "compete" with GTD

  • Group of smaller systems used together to replace GTD

  • "Simpler" systems

  • Different philosophies that can't coexist with most of GTD's principles

share|improve this question
I can recommend Zen to done. – hellectronic Nov 19 '11 at 20:01

8 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted
share|improve this answer
I guess finally they found a productivity system for the One Minute Manager. – Vic Goldfeld Nov 19 '11 at 10:11
up vote 7 down vote

This is something I've thought about for a while. I've read GTD, and appreciate the results it brings, but seems too rigid or structured.

I've since found a few suggestions for simplifying GTD or using a different system system altogether:

There's some interesting ideas in the above, I've yet to decide which one to try (first)...

share|improve this answer
up vote 5 down vote

Yes, I've designed a system that is far more than a simplification of GTD.

It actually updates the core workflow to reflect the new capabilities of software versus pen and paper.

You can read about it here: http://www.cyborganize.org/clarity/what-is-cyborganize/

share|improve this answer
Pretty cool, I like your systemic approach! Covers far more ground than productivity systems for some reason usually venture into. – Vic Goldfeld Nov 26 '11 at 10:06
1  
Thanks Vic, I'm open to suggestions for improvement – Joseph Buchignani Nov 28 '11 at 20:14
1  
+1 for innovation. – jurassic Jan 31 '12 at 7:00
up vote 5 down vote

"First Things First" from S. Covey focuses on a weekly view with your goals aside so that you keep the perspective of what really matters.

http://weekplan.net is a web tool that implements that methodology.

share|improve this answer
up vote 4 down vote

Total, Relaxed Organization may be what you're looking for. It's a distinct time management system that:

  • Blends GTD principles with Covey and other systems by Linenberger, Forster, etc.
  • Is simpler to follow (for example, no 1-hour weekly reviews)
  • Gives specific instructions for thousands of combinations of productivity tools
  • Tracks its results (time gained, stress reduced, etc.)

(Disclosure: I'm one of the creators of the TRO time management system.)

share|improve this answer
up vote 3 down vote

The life coach Mark Forster has developed several time management techniques that are in the same kind of space as GTD. His methods has evolved over the years, and the latest incarnation is called SuperFocus.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/

share|improve this answer
5  
I don't think Pomodoro is an alternative. It can be used in addition to. More importantly, it is in a different space. Pomodoro is about time management. I think of GTD as being about task management (and time management to a lesser extent.) – Jeanne Boyarsky♦ Dec 4 '11 at 23:29
1  
Yeah, I think they definitely cover different grounds and can be used complimentarily. – Vic Goldfeld Dec 5 '11 at 16:27
While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. – Joe Oct 3 '12 at 17:36
up vote 0 down vote

I have started using the tools available via www.workflowy.com

Though not an entire system, it helps me to organize and simplify my task lists, ideas etc. And it is an easily accessible software solution for a brain dump.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.