Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!
Review: As a seminar leader and author of a time-related book, I often purchase books on time management and procrastination. I found this one particularly unique and insightful. The author really demonstrates how to move from inaction to action in a stress-free way. - Diana DeLonzor, author of "Never Be Late Again, 7 Cures for the Punctually Challenged."
Rating:
Summary: It might take work, but it WORKS
Review: If you are a graduate student like me, a professional, or a homemaker you probably struggle with time management. The best thing about David Allen's ideas are their simplicity. By reinforcing the good habits we already have, he moves us to a more productive state. His methodology works by keeping things simple, almost too simple for my gadget taste.How much time to you spend thinking about what you do? How much time to you spend planning your work? I never thought this kind of thinking should be a priority, I just did things. What this book forces you to do is put all you have to do on paper. It gets those "to-do" lists out of your brain where these lingering thoughts just cause more stress and anxiety. I bought into this philosophy 100% and it changed my attitude and my productivity. It takes work, but it emphasizes the greatest asset you have, your own mind. As a productivity junkie since middle school, I have it all: the paper based planners, the best sellers that implore you to establish rigid priorities and "habits", software based on the paper based principle, etc. The reason nothing worked is that nothing kept up with my own abilities. This book teaches you how to make yourself better. It is not only about getting more done in life, it allows you to get more out of life!
Rating:
Summary: Old tried methods that work
Review: Time management is such an 80's term that I almost went to sleep when I was asked to read this book by my boss. But after a few pages I woke up. I have to admit that I don't always get things done and the book reminded me of it. So I highly recommend it because it does make you get things done, and I also recommend Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self to take you above managing time and resources -- to OPTIMIZING them. Read Optimal Thinking and this book and you will have everything you need to create everything you want -- and be your best!
Rating:
Summary: Finally - the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight
Review: I have had "get organized" at the top of my to do list for the last 20 years. I have crept closer to that goal, but my life continues to become more complex and demanding and I may actually be losing ground in the "becoming organized" department. I don't think I am stupid or lazy; I did complete post graduate education, but formal education is full of fixed goals you cannot duck or miss. You can also dedicate your whole life and resources to the single goal of graduating. But real life is much more demanding, both professionally and personally. I have read many books on becoming organized and have bought more gadgets, filers, office tools than I can count. As I begin to go through all my files and notes, I am running accross my previous aborted attempts to organize my life. The problem has been that I have never been exposed to a comprehensive system to use all those wonderful tools. All the tools in the world will not help you, until you have the plan and the system that allows you to handle all the "stuff" that comes into your life. Most books only list some mechanical methods to organize some of your life, which can help, but for me, they have made little difference. David Allen has finally given me the concepts and system I have been looking for. He is not a scolding nag, but he is adamant about some of the things you must do if you are to be organized and most importantly, to get the things done that you want to do. The book is sympathetic with the plight we all face - too many demands on our precious time. David Allen understands our problems and he offers concrete solutions. He provides the framework and the reader provides the details and the goals. What more could you want? I cannot recommend this book too highly to anyone who really wants to accomplish more with less stress, and is willing to do the work involved. For me, there is no alternative unless I consider moving to a tropical island and ignoring the rest of the world and its demands. Move over Gilligan? I am certainly waiting impatiently for his next book which comes out in September, 2003. I am sure it will have more tricks and techniques to reinforce the system.
Rating:
Summary: Best Self Help book I ever read
Review: Many books gave me useful insights into my own situation. But this is the only book that helped me achieve what the title says : Getting Things Done. I strongly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for non-business types too.
Review: I highly recommend DA's method if you're living in a constant state of overwhelm and fear about your commitments and productivity. I juggle a university career with keeping our household in order and participating in my husband's ministry to young people, and had started to feel as if a tidal wave of unfinished tasks and missed opportunities was forever building up behind my back, ready to crush me. (Know the feeling?) I'm only a few weeks into implementation, and I'll come back and edit this to let you know how it works longterm-- but the "mind dump" concept and getting EVERY to-do and should-do and would-like-to-do into a system has done wonders for my mental froth. He really is right-- getting it onto paper (or in my case, a PDA) really free your mind to focus whatever task is at hand. I sleep better, I enjoy my free time more, and I'm realizing how many of my burdens aren't burdens at all, but someday/maybe ideas that I need to write down so they'll "leave me be." It takes some concentrated reading for me to get around the businessspeak, but the methods are simple and effective-- and I find that the "do the next thing" perspective is much more realistic for me than the Covey-type roles and goals stuff. If anxiety and procrastination and dropping balls is your problem, here is a book that can help-- if you're willing to take the time to implement and stick with it! Like any time management method, its success depends upon you.
Rating: 
Summary: 7-Habits, then "First Things First", THEN this book
Review: Strengths: How to manage the never-ending flow of taskings and redirected taskings for those who work in unorganized cultures. Fairly simple. Can be implemented without fancy tools.
Weaknesses: Still essentially prioritizing emergencies. You may believe that if your in-box is empty you were effective today. To balance the weaknesses, read Steven Covey's "7-Habits of Highly Effective People", and the book on Habit 3, "First Things First". The older, pre-Franklin-Covey merger book is better than the current offering. The weakness of the Allen book is that it does not force you to think about your roles and goals, leaving you in the trap of the urgent, being unconsciously unbalanced and never asking the question: How can I prevent these issues, how can I keep the main thing the main thing, and what about the long-term? The Covey offerings are a little weak (only a little) in handling the myriad and changing tasks that disorganized managers and organizations throw at you. Covey assumes you have a fair about of autonomy in your work life, that you are responsible for results, not for performing tasks. Bottom line: Read (in this order): "7-Habits", "First Things First", and then Allen. In a hurry? Read First Things First, then the others in the order indicated.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very original
Review: Most of his ideas in his system are modified version of other authors. Nothing really original about this book. It's almost a survey class in time management. A lot of it was taken from Robert Covey's First things First. All he did was change the wording but the idea is still Robert Covey's. And there is an excessive amount of motivational fluff. Anyone whose read Tony Robbins know that motivational fluff only works till you put the book down. Read Seven habits of highly effective people, first things first, and unleashing the warrior within.
Rating:
Summary: More productive - and calmer about it!
Review: I haven't adopted all of Allen's suggestions - but the four weeks I've used some of his approach have seen a major uptick in my productivity. My wife, a skeptic, is reading it now and is seeing results also. Allen is a realist - he understands the real pressures, deadlines and to dos. It's not about prioritizing stones over pebbles (Covey) - it's about getting it done!
Rating:
Summary: Overcomplicating Things in The Getting Things Done Prcocess
Review: Still I think "First Things First" by Stephen Covey and "Ten Natural Laws" by Hyrum Smith are the classics in Time Management by which David Allen, no matter how popular or new to the market ,can never beat. Why? "Getting Things Done" is very dry, rational, written from the head--very left brain-driven, whereas Covey and Hyrum's books are less dry, more human touch,filled with more cases or examples, written from the heart--more right-brain driven! In fact, David Allen should improve his writing skills first. He can be a bit wordy. He goes around in saying things that are actually very simple and common sensical. As a Time Management and Productivity Expert, he should save his time and his readers' time as well. Personally, I don't think this book offers breakthrough paradigm in time management. I agreed that Frankin Covey's time management approach can be a bit dated in the"Idea Economy". But still Frankin Covey's approach has a more broad base usage, whereas Allen's approach is more micro---emphasizing too much on personal organization like organizing files, cabinets, etc. Anyhow, I see Allen's book as the supplementary to Frankin Covey's books rather than the "driving force" work in the field.
| 
