GTD Gems

Are you finding it tough to stay consistent with your GTD Weekly Review?Do you sometimes feel guilty for not doing it “the right way” as it’s written in the books?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD coach Meg Edwards shares how to make your GTD Weekly Review work for you through customization.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why the Weekly Review isn’t one-size-fits-all 👉 How to “get off your back” and build a review habit that sticks 👉 Simple ways to get clear, current, and back into a creative mindsetTimestamps:00:00 Misconceptions about the Weekly Review01:42 GTD book passage02:27 Meg's gem of the week04:27 Meg's recommended next steps📄 Weekly Review Worksheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_3j3f-vPpAUkIQRfQ33LoL1zp7UQSayY/view?usp=sharing▶️ Watch the full GTD Gems playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=GTDGems 🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: What’s the biggest challenge you face with your Weekly Review?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD® one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours helping leaders, creatives, and professionals bring clarity and control to their commitments.For more GTD resources, visit gettingthingsdone.com or subscribe to David Allen’s YouTube channel.#GettingThingsDone #Productivity #WeeklyReview

They explore reframing problems as projects to reduce stress and create momentum. The conversation highlights identifying clear outcomes and defining next actions. There is attention on how friction and resistance can actually boost productivity. Personal stories illustrate turning vague issues into tangible project steps.

Have you ever captured a project in your system… but it still stays on your mind? 🤔 The difference between horizontal focus and vertical focus may explain why some projects need more thinking before they feel under control.In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD coach Meg Edwards explores how horizontal vs. vertical focus in GTD works, and when it’s time to use the Natural Planning Model to gain clarity and control over your projects.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 The difference between horizontal focus and vertical focus in GTD👉 Why some projects only need a next action and others need deeper thinkingTimestamps:00:00 Projects and the Natural Planning Model01:10 Meg Reads from Chapter 3 of GTD Book02:14 Horizontal and Vertical Focus Explained04:11 Natural Planning Model Resources▶️ Watch the full GTD Gems playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=GTDGems🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: When have you needed more vertical focus on a project?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD® one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours helping leaders, creatives, and professionals bring clarity and control to their commitments.For more GTD resources, visit gettingthingsdone.com or subscribe to David Allen’s YouTube channel.#GettingThingsDone #Productivity #Focus

Is checking your inbox the same as actually processing it?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD Coach Meg Edwards explains the difference between scanning and clarifying, and why emergency scanning your inbox isn’t the same as processing it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 When emergency scanning is helpful👉 How to move through your inbox one item at a time👉 The clarifying questions that reduce overwhelmTimestamps:00:00 Emergency scanning vs. clarifying and organizing00:37 Meg reads from Chapter 6 of the GTD book02:15 How this shows up in coaching03:54 Recap and what’s next▶️ Watch the full GTD Gems playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=GTDGems🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: Do you find yourself scanning or clarifying more often?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD® one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours helping leaders, creatives, and professionals bring clarity and control to their commitments.For more GTD resources, visit gettingthingsdone.com or subscribe to David Allen’s YouTube channel.#GettingThingsDone #Productivity #EmailManagement

Struggling to keep your GTD system working?In this GTD Gems episode, Coach Meg Edwards explains how ‘hard edges’ in your system keep your lists and folders distinct, reduce overwhelm, and restore clarity.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 What “hard edges” mean in GTD and why they matter 👉 How to clarify and organize your lists for maximum effectiveness 👉 Real client examples of restoring GTD system clarityTimestamps:00:00 What are “hard edges” in GTD?01:45 David Allen’s thoughts on organization02:05 Client story on system breaking down03:50 How this connects to the Weekly Review04:36 Client story on labeling folders05:22 Organization beats overwhelm05:50 Recap and what’s next▶️ GTD Gems Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH9fEmS3ZFu5YBGGEdIg6ZKJtvhR2STp📄 Grab the clarifying and organizing map featured:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fatWGka2jpCUsFb5zkc8dEK0_xi0N1yt/view?usp=sharing🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: Which GTD list do you struggle to keep “hard edges” on?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD® one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours helping leaders, creatives, and professionals bring clarity and control to their commitments.For more GTD resources, visit gettingthingsdone.com or subscribe to David Allen’s YouTube channel.#gtd #gettingthingsdone #productivity

Struggling with what to capture in GTD?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD Coach Meg Edwards explains why you should capture everything that has your attention, even seemingly small or “unimportant” things, and how separating capturing from clarifying and organizing reduces overwhelm.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 The difference between capturing, clarifying, and organizing 👉 How to stop censoring what you captureTimestamps:00:00 Why you censor what you capture00:52 Why you should capture everything02:38 Real capture examples (what this looks like)04:10 Even GTD coaches have to practice capture▶️ GTD Gems Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH9fEmS3ZFu5YBGGEdIg6ZKJtvhR2STp🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: How often do you avoid capturing something because you don’t want to do it?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD® one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours helping leaders, creatives, and professionals bring clarity and control to their commitments.For more GTD resources, visit gettingthingsdone.com or subscribe to David Allen’s YouTube channel.#gtd #gettingthingsdone #productivity

Struggling to say no without guilt?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD Coach Meg Edwards explains how a complete, regularly reviewed inventory helps you say no with integrity and say yes to what is most important.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why people say yes when they really want to say no👉 How GTD helps you align your yeses and nos with your roles and responsibilitiesTimestamps:00:00 The GTD insight that changes everything00:46 Why it’s so hard to say no01:14 A real example of saying no with integrity02:22 Why capturing is the foundation03:03 What becomes possible with a full inventory▶️ GTD Gems Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH9fEmS3ZFu5YBGGEdIg6ZKJtvhR2STp🎓GTD Strategy Program:https://gtdfocus.com/strategy-course/🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: What’s something you’ve struggled to say no to recently?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD® one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours working with global leaders, scientists, engineers, creatives, and entrepreneurs, helping them bring clarity to their complex lives.For more GTD resources, visit DavidCo.com or subscribe to @GTD.#gettingthingsdone #timemanagement #productivitytips

The three-fold nature of work gives you language for what is already happening in your day so you can tell the difference between defined work, unplanned work, and defining work.In this GTD Gems episode, Meg walks through the three types of work and explains why distinguishing between them creates clarity, focus, and space on your calendar for the unexpected.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 What the three-fold nature is and how to use it👉 The importance of creating space in your calendarDavid Allen’s Article on the Three-fold Nature of Work:https://gettingthingsdone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Threefold.pdfTimestamps:00:00 – Trouble Prioritizing00:58 – Previous Episode Recap01:45 – Three-fold Nature of Work02:31 – Defined Work02:57 – Unplanned Work04:29 – Clarifying & Organizing Work05:02 – Where Is Your Space?06:56 – Recap▶️ GTD Gems Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH9fEmS3ZFu5YBGGEdIg6ZKJtvhR2STp🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: How much space do you leave in your calendar?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours working with global leaders, scientists, engineers, creatives, and entrepreneurs—helping them bring clarity to their complex lives.For more GTD resources, visit DavidCo.com or subscribe to @GTD.#gettingthingsdone #threefoldnatureofwork #productivity

Your Areas of Focus and Responsibilities are one of the most overlooked parts of GTD and may be the missing link behind unclear priorities and lingering stress.In this episode, Meg walks through where Horizon 2 appears throughout the Getting Things Done book, how it functions as a trigger list, and why reviewing your roles and responsibilities often reveals which projects deserve your attention, especially after major life transitions.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why Horizon 2 clarifies priorities when nothing on your lists stands out 👉 How to use Areas of Focus as a trigger list for projects and actionsTimestamps:00:00 – Where Horizon 2 Shows Up01:57 – Using Areas of Focus to Prioritize02:49 – New Roles and Responsibilities Examples04:12 – Areas of Focus Don't Get Checked Off05:12 – How Meg Uses Horizon 206:21 – Parting Thoughts▶️ GTD Gems Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH9fEmS3ZFu5YBGGEdIg6ZKJtvhR2STp🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: Which role or responsibility do you look to when you need clarity on what to work on next?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours working with global leaders, scientists, engineers, creatives, and entrepreneurs—helping them bring clarity to their complex lives.For more GTD resources, visit DavidCo.com or subscribe to @GTD.#gettingthingsdone #higherhorizons #projectplanning

GTD isn’t about rigid rules or doing everything “the right way.” In this episode, GTD coach Meg Edwards explores why your system exists in the first place: to create freedom, clarity, and space for the things that truly matter in your life.Key Takeaways:👉 The real purpose of lists, Weekly Reviews, and a trusted system👉 Why flexibility and a “good enough” mindset matter more than perfectionTimestamps:00:00 – Why GTD isn’t “all or nothing”01:05 – The big secret about lists02:30 – David Allen’s example03:30 – Knowing your system is “good enough”05:05 – Meg’s example07:00 – Coaching client success story07:44 – Takeaways and what’s next▶️ GTD Gems Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH9fEmS3ZFu5YBGGEdIg6ZKJtvhR2STp🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode.💬 Comment below: How has GTD helped you create more freedom?🌐 Explore GTD coaching programs and resources: gtdfocus.com📩 Email us at info@gtdfocus.comFollow Us on Social:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtdfocus/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gtdfocus/🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtdfocusGTD Focus is the exclusive provider of GTD one-to-one coaching in the U.S. and Canada. Our coaches have logged tens of thousands of hours working with global leaders, scientists, engineers, creatives, and entrepreneurs—helping them bring clarity to their complex lives.For more GTD resources, visit DavidCo.com or subscribe to @GTD.#gettingthingsdone #gtd #productivity #davidallen #gtdgems