The Curated Shelf Series "Getting Things Done" by David Allen

📚 Getting Things Done (GTD): Productivity for Real Life (With a Twist)

I'm starting the curation now, and the first book is a doozy. You can see it is a well-loved book. It's been left outside and has a few coffee stains and dog ears, but it is worth keeping on the shelf.

I first read Getting Things Done by David Allen in 2008, and it’s fair to say it shaped how I think about systems and staying organized. I marked it up extensively—notes, highlights, questions—and immediately started applying what resonated. I may or may not have annoyed many friends about this book. Over the years, I’ve revisited those notations for inspiration and adjusted them to fit the moving pieces of my life.

Here’s the thing: GTD is a foundational book for a reason. It’s not just a system—it’s the system that so many other productivity methods reference (whether they admit it or not). And honestly, I’ve built or evolved my own systems by standing on its shoulders.

I spent over a decade traveling for this business and taking care of my parents (who lived in separate states) while raising my kids. Being in the depths of my sandwich era, it was easy to drop balls and forget to get everything done. But with much trial and error, I improved as the trips and years went along. 

It was hard to deal with mail and paper things when gone so frequently. The school pictures: paper flyer. My mom's surgical bills: paper. Friends gallery opening, birthday invites, super special sales announcements: paper. How can you keep up with all-the-things while living out of a suitcase and backpack?

Adapt the Tickler File

The tickler file is one of those GTD ideas I love—in theory. It's brilliant to have reminders and notes ready when you need them. However, traveling frequently for weeks (or months) to work and help a parent makes relying on a physical file system tricky. 

So, I reimagined it:

• I leaned into the concept of the tickler file rather than the setup. I combine digital tools with a portable sectioned folder for new papers and reminders.
• Instead of bringing everything “just in case” or missing out on something, I flag what’s most important for my travel period and rely on scanning or photos of key items I’ll need while away from home but don’t need to carry with me physically.
• Then, I set myself aggressive reminders for the items that must be done on a specific day in a few places.

As David Allen says, ‘Trust in the system is key.’ It took me time to trust my travel system and adapt it to my life's realities.

Stay Grounded, Not Hustled

Productivity has never been about pushing myself to the max or chasing hustle culture. It’s about reducing stress and focusing on what I can do now rather than what I can’t, allowing me to stay flexible and present. The time with my mom was precious. Having the confidence that things were handled meant I could enjoy her company fully and savor the moment. I was able to find the joy in the little things with her - the chai tea together, the grocery runs - where she would nudge me with the scooter if I took too long, the simple act of holding her hand while we waited on the doctor - both of us choosing to just be rather than jumping on the phone. Grounded and grateful.

Revisit and Bring Forward

But back to my goal of a curated collection and Getting Things Done. When I’m stuck and my systems fail me—I revisit my old notes from GTD—and find inspiration in how my former self tackled similar puzzles. It’s like conversing with the past-me.

My notations are sort of like recipe notes. I capture thoughts about refinements, changes, or updates that worked for me. Some of my notes to myself are so long that they are on bookmarks or post-it notes.

Productivity isn’t about the mechanics of the system or perfection; it’s about simplifying daily life so I can focus on the DOING and the BEING. My previous notes help me uncover ideas that might apply to today’s problems—solutions that worked previously I might have forgotten.

That’s what I love most about my physical copy of GTD—it’s almost as much my book now as it is David’s. Buried in my notes and his words, I usually find something helpful in my moment of need. Indeed, I bet you know the verdict already!

Verdict: Keep.

Have you read Getting Things Done?

If yes, what can you revisit? And if not, why not borrow it from the library and see if you find a useful nugget to help you today?