Jumpstart GTD

• one day (if you’re lucky, one “vertical” (aka, do-nothing-else) day will do it)
• stack of blank paper (standard printer paper is fine)
• physical inbox
• stack of manila folders
• A-Z accordian file [optional—this is just my version of a 43 folder tickler]
• labeler [optional, but really nice to have]

Put everything (I said everything) in your inbox. Sticky notes. Random reports. Old magazines. The folded up banner from last year’s job fair. Okay, the actual banner doesn’t need to go—just write “job fair banner behind the door” on one of your blank sheets of paper and put it in the inbox. Anything that is currently not where it belongs goes in the inbox, either physically, or representationally on paper.

Done piling up the inbox? Now, starting at the top of your inbox, take the first thing out and process it. There are lots of models around to help you process your stuff—here’s the official ‘advanced’ model (pdf). Basically, you take each thing out of your inbox and figure out if it’s trash or if it’s to be kept. If it’s trash, toss it. If it’s to be kept you gotta figure out if it’s actionable or if it’s reference material. If it’s reference material, put it in a manila folder, label the folder and put it away. If it’s actionable, figure out if it can be done in two minutes or if it’ll take longer. If it can be done in two minutes, do it. If it’ll take longer, put it in a list for later.