Stress-free productivity does exist

Productivity. A concept so simple to be defined and so difficult to be analyzed. Personally, I rather the shorter definition: doing more with less. Put that way, maybe it doesn’t look a big thing, but don’t be fooled. This powerful concept is the key to measuring the efficiency and evolution of economies and societies, and determines companies profitability and people quality of life.

The Next Actions list may contain a large number of possibilities. These actions must be done as soon as possible, but what criteria should you use to choose the most appropriate action to do at all times? These four, in this order:

When you begin to use GTD you usually find yourself with some mixed feelings. First, once you achieve to capture, clarify and organize all your outstanding actions—which is a hard job the first time you do it—, you have the rewarding feeling that everything is under control. You know all you have to do, what your priorities are and, most importantly, what things you’re not doing when you decide to spend some time with your family, friends or hobbies. This puts your mind at rest, allowing you to truly enjoy the time that you do nothing.

Both in your work and your life, there are often tasks or actions that you shouldn’t do personally. For several reasons: you don’t have the necessary knowledge or skills, you don’t have enough time or, simply, handing it to another person it’s more profitable—due to quality, speed or cost—.

In this post I will discuss some productive habits that are not strictly GTD, but that, either underlie its general approach or can be complementary and highly useful in certain circumstances. All of them are related to the perspective or vertical approach of GTD.