27 OCT

Getting Things Done

Despite the current gloomy economic climate, this winter looks like it's going to be a very busy one for me. So much so in fact that I've had to re-think much of my day-to-day workflow.

I have put into place some of the aspects of GTD (Getting Things Done), a system devised and popularised by David Allan.

In a nutshell, GTD is about implementing procedures to record everything that needs to be done in a trusted system. This allows you to keep your mind clear for other tasks, such as doing the actual work.

Not all of the GTD workflow applies to website design and development, but it's still very useful, especially for getting the housekeeping in order.

I've also adopted an automated time logging and billing system. Estimating, invoicing and accounts are now a breeze. This is a great relief for me as a freelancer as this allows me to focus on the work and not the overheads.

I'd recommend GTD to anyone looking to bring control to hectic schedules and lifestyles in which there never seems to be enough hours in the day. A mind free of clutter is a productive one indeed.