Confessions of a Cultist (or If loving david allen is wrong, I don’t want to be right)

I cannot overstate the importance of David Allen’s Getting Things Done in my life. David Allen is a former management consultant who created a methodology for personal productivity. People who follow David Allen and his “GTD” method are sort of like other cultists: glassy eyed, but extremely focused. If you have…

Time Tactics of Very Successful People – But Not Me

Seven years ago, I was a messy desk person, a disaster.  Disgusted, buried and boxed in, I decided to change my ways, to become one of those organized people with a leather planner and an attached pen, post-its and a label maker. Something odd happened: when I started learning…

I’m Ashamed to Admit That Stephen Covey Saved My Life

I used to be a messy desk person. But, when I was 35 (I’m now 42), I worked obsessively to get organized and productive. Getting organized was a huge pivot point for me. First, I bought 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. This was a good…

My Descent Into Productivity Porn

DISORGANIZED, AT LOOSE ENDS I used to be a messy desk person. I worked on platforms covered in drafts, mail, coffee cups and dozens of stray pen caps. My floor was an obstacle course of books, documents, magazines, loose change and umbrellas. I forgot to calendar items, I kept phone numbers…