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Book Reviews of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Getting Things Done The Art of StressFree Productivity
Author: David Allen
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ISBN-13: 9780670899241
ISBN-10: 0670899240
Publication Date: 1/8/2001
Pages: 267
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 13

3.8 stars, based on 13 ratings
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

13 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

2headedboy avatar reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I can't recommend this gem of a book highly enough. I've been following David Allen for a little while: I'm on his mailing list and reading a good amount of GTD-related books, blogs, etc. Allen hits the bulls-eye with this book. It provides everything you need to know to get yourself started on intelligently organizing the myriad files, thoughts, ideas, appointments, etc., that are currently weighing you down.

Some of Allen's ideas in this book can be adopted instantly, others will take a bit more time (and dedication). But the author writes in plain and simple language that anyone can understand; if things get technical, Allen breaks it down into easier components.

I can honestly say this book has changed my life. I never thought I'd get my freelance business and daily life organized like this. I took a lot of Allen's advice and it's working, no doubt about it. But I also put in a lot of effort, so be prepared to carve out some time to implement the GTD basics.
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
An easy system to put into place if you are looking to streamline everything going on in your life. Pretty easy to skim thru if you just want some quick tips, but I recommend reading the entire thing. Sorry, you can't have my copy, as I'll be refering back to it when I feel I need to get straightened back out. ;-)
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Very thorough approach to organizing information, space and activities - pretty much everything in your life. Well written with an engaging style, it's a training book for achieving more in less time without increased stress. I thought the topics were broken down into small enough pieces to be read and absorbed one chapter at a time, which is good for this kind of topic. The program is very different from what I'd been doing, and it was important (to me, at least) to take my time and really process what I was reading. It's also nice because the author understands that not everyone is looking for a total life overhaul - he suggests just trying one or two things and using his book as a toolbox of 'tricks' to supplement whatever you're currently doing. So, you can dive in with both feet or you can just dip a toe in and see how it goes.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wishes life were a little calmer, a little easier, a little bit more organized. Though it seems to be directed mainly at the working person, I find that the skills and tips do carryover very well into family and personal life. These days, the line between the two seems to becoming more blurred, so it's nice to find a program/plan that works over it all.

K
glbirch avatar reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 205 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Highly recommend this book. While I have found I need to "ease into it" a bit, I love David Allen's suggestions for organizing the "stuff" in your life. I have already picked up several little tips that have helped me immensely. I think this will be a book for me to read every few months so that I can incorporate a bit more every time. If you, like me, always have way too many projects going on, way too much clutter piling up around you (mentally and physically), this will give you some great ideas to start tackling it! Just don't do like I did and try to change it all at once! Go slow and easy and let go of your guilt!
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Whether or not you adopt Allen's methodology, this is a great book. GTD is one way of doing things that doesn't work for everyone, but the books is really a great way to get some perspective and think about what you need to do to make things work.
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on
Helpful Score: 2
Getting Things Done provides some excellent advice on how to organize your life (particularly your work life) in a method that enables you to be more productive. The suggestions are relatively easy to apply and are very helpful. Definitely useful for getting your productivity up.
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 6 more book reviews
This is a great method of managing your time and, basically, your entire life.
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 337 more book reviews
More of David Allen's perspective on managing in a distracting and detail-driven world. I'm keeping for my personal library.
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 2 more book reviews
5 stars. Excellent system, clearly explained. Would only be improved if he were to actually come to your house and do it with you.
njmom3 avatar reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 1389 more book reviews
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity or "GTD" by David Allen, originally published in 2001 but revised in 2015, lays out a work flow - the process of collecting, processing, organizing, reviewing and doing - that can be applied to any goal or project. The ideas are valuable; however, even the 2015 update appears to superimpose technology onto what it still a paper based system rather than adapt the system to truly take advantage of the tools available today.

Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2015/12/getting-things-done-art-of-stress-free.html
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 4 more book reviews
Great book. Good system for getting organized.
reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on
I posted this before I read the Golden rule. I has some water damage, but it is perfectly readable. It is a great book.
buzzby avatar reviewed Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity on + 6062 more book reviews
Never got around to reading it.