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Summary: A Very Good System
Review: Allen's system really works if you stick to it and it can be fun and satisfying to implement. Not only has following his advice helped me stay better organized, it has also improved my management skills and I have also used it to make my boss more productive. Although you can get the basics of Allen's system in a few pages, I thought the additional discussion was helpful, though it did get repetitive at times.
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Summary: It really does help you "Get Things Done"
Review: Reviewed by Kathy Burns, Originally published at EBookCritique.com"Getting Things Done" is a book that teaches you how to do just that: get things done. If you're like most people today, you're busy trying to juggle business, family and personal items all at once, and sometimes a ball (or two) gets dropped. In this book, David Allen provides a complete system to help. The process itself, affectionately referred to as "GTD" by loyal followers, is one of the most useful I've personally found. The problem is almost universal: Knowing what you want or have to do in life is one thing, but actually moving forward with it can be a huge challenge. This is especially true for all of us that have never-ending task lists and/or large, long-term projects on our plate. Looking at the mile long task or project list can be overwhelming -- and cause you to simply not do anything at all. In this book, David explains how to break projects, goals and tasks down into single item, doable, actions. Now this is an extremely simplified explanation of the GTD process, but it is comprised of a few key items: The Project List, The Someday/Maybe List, and the Next Actions list. Integrated into these key items is: Inbox, Outbox and File Cabinet management. While all of these components are integral and useful parts of the entire system, the Next Actions list is where the majority of your productivity takes place. In short, a Next Action is the very next thing you need to do in order to move something forward. So instead of looking at a project and wondering how you'll ever be able to handle it, you simply break off a very small chunk -- the very next thing that has to be done -- and focus on that chunk by itself. Once that chunk is completed, you then break off another -- the next thing that has to be done -- and so on. I won't try to explain all of the intricacies -- David did that with over 250 pages in this book -- but I will tell you this: David's system is extremely useful and easy to learn. You can start reaping the rewards of "Getting Things Done" before you've even finished the book. I've also found it very handy to keep on the reference shelf for further consultation as I'm refining and customizing my own enhanced productivity system. I am a fan of practical, informative books with examples -- this one really fits the bill and I highly recommend it.
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Summary: Very inspirational and practical
Review: I still have a huge todo list, but I have it ranked by priority too. I mean to implement the program too. Too damn busy chopping down trees to sharpen my axe! I'm actually re-reading it.
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Summary: It works
Review: I'm very skeptical of most of these kinds of things, but this one really helped me. It got me to throw out all my old files I was never going to look at again ever, got me to set up MS Outlook Alerts and task lists for my whole life so I could completely clear my mind of all casual concerns, and taught me to constantly ask myself, "What is the next action?" and answer very precisely. When you know what the next action you can take is, it's very hard to procrastinate, and there was this amazing calm that entered my life when I got 100% of my to-do items done and automated all maintenance tasks. The advice is simple, I bought it on audio cassette but had to stop the cassette a few times because the urge to purge all my junk was overwhelming. I was ready for this and I was a quite organized person before this. I would recommend this to anyone.
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Summary: Still BUSY as ever
Review: I bought this book with high hopes, and it does help with the endless stream of e-mail. I find that filing e-mail under action catagories doesn't get the work done! The best advice David Allen gives is to ask what the next action is for any project. That helps my inactivity at times. I have had general tasks like: "do expense account", on my to do list for weeks. The right thing for me was: organize receipts from last trip. The author tells you to get rid of the tasks that take under two minutes to complete. Most of my tasks that take "two minutes" or less are not important, and I can sidetrack my self with "two minute" projects resulting in a wasted day. I'm not sure I buy that portion of his program. I do tend to respond quickly to most simple requests, but there are a lot of those every day. Some need to be put off in favor of more meaningful projects. I put together the tickler file and inventoried my office, even made a plan for Friday review. I don't end up looking in my tickler file, as my work is fluid and I can't follow a structured "to do" list. I have a number of projects going, and I re-prioritize all day long. Friday can be a good day for reflection, or not. I think the office inventory is very helpful if you've allowed yourself to get backlogged. There is no answer here for reducing your workload. Which is what all our "time management" problems boil down to. No one really can work 24/7. And the more outside of work commitments you have, including family obligations, the less of the 24 hours there are. Being efficient, and keeping good records can only help so much. I am glad for some new ideas... but really what I want is a vacation!!
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Summary: A Must Read For All With Too Much To Do
Review: This is a vital book to read if you have many projects or things to do. For that matter, it's a great read even if you just want to get yourself organized. It works too! Mr. Allen's is idea to create a system in your life that allows you to organize and do the work that needs to be done, be it at the office or in your personal life. He has many great ideas, and knows human nature well enough to use it as an aid to his process. You'll find that you agree with many of his ideas (like having your own work place and "stuff"). Once the system is in place and working, you can relax in knowing that everything is accounted for, and under your control. Start relaxing, and enjoy your new found efficiency. If you are seeking a means of getting more organized, this is it without question. It does work, and will work for you. Thank you VERY MUCH Mr. Allen.
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Summary: Only organization book you need
Review: I've read many organizing books, but this one is the most useful. His system is very simple but it works. He emphasizes using an in box to store all the stuff you need to process before you process it. He also gives useful advice for using a palm. The best part is, I don't need to lug a big organizer around - just my palm and a small notebook. And I feel pretty well-organized!
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Summary: Worth buying-- *will* make you more efficient
Review: A relatively quick read; light material (unlike 7 Habits.) Excellent system. I went from being a "pile" manager to having a pristine desk, and really feeling more relaxed and in-control.
Once *everything* is captured in your "system," you aren't worried about stuff any more-- you know that it's ready to be done when the time comes, and that it will be done. As many others have said, the "2-Minute" rule is awesome and will reap you immediate kudos in the workplace as a quick responder.
I highly recommend this to any busy manager who feels overwhelmed, and would recommend it to pretty much anyone who gets over 30 e-mails a day.
Buy it!
Rating: 
Summary: Just another book.. Sorry
Review: Nothing new here. Allot of talk, but that's it. Save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing New Here
Review: This book really doesn't tell you anything new, nothing that you didn't already know, unless you've never worked in an office before. There is lots of repetition, and the author has a penchant for stating the obvious and making it seem as if he is giving you some great secret or principle. He never gets down to the nitty-gritty; he never gives you a step-by-step procedure for processing your documents quickly and getting the data entered into the computer quickly and then getting the papers into the files quickly. That's what we want to know, not some abstract flow chart. He never shows exactly how to multitask with constant interruptions. Don't waste your money on this book.
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