Small Task, GTD Task Management

Whether it’s for study, work, or life, we face various tasks and ideas every day. Although these tasks may not be difficult, the issue lies in their number. When we have many things to do, time might not be enough.

Take work as an example. In my previous job, if my superior assigned me one or two tasks daily, I could complete them easily and still have time to slack off and leave work early.

However, if my superior suddenly assigned a more complex task one day, along with several minor tasks that needed to be completed on the same day, it became overwhelming. Additionally, during this time, colleagues might frequently come to ask for help or assign new tasks, or I might receive sudden instructions from the boss on enterprise WeChat.

This can make an already hectic situation even more stressful, causing you to feel a bit anxious or even frustrated. As a result, you might miss some tasks or fail to complete everything in an organized manner. While these tasks may not be complex, their number and disorganization can lead to forgetfulness and inefficiency.

Therefore, it’s common to see colleagues sticking notes with daily tasks on their computers or desks to remind themselves and avoid forgetting anything. This is a good practice since our brains are meant for thinking, not for memorizing tasks.

Besides writing down daily tasks, there is a more efficient task management method called GTD.

### What is GTD?

GTD stands for "Getting Things Done," a task management method proposed by renowned time management expert David Allen in his book "Getting Things Done." The main principle is that one should record all tasks to clear their mind, allowing them to focus on the current task and work more efficiently without stress.

The concept is similar to the example above—writing things down. Whether it’s a to-do list, daily tasks, or any thoughts that come to mind, write them all down. This is the first core step of GTD: **Getting Things Written**.

Unlike the previous example, GTD isn’t just about writing down daily tasks. You can also note down tasks for the week, month, or any future plans.

According to GTD, this step involves putting all your thoughts, to-dos, tasks, etc., into a collection box to clear your mind and focus on the present task.

### What are the benefits?

Continuing from the previous example, if I’m working on a task and suddenly think of something else or get interrupted by a colleague or new tasks, as long as it doesn’t need immediate attention, I can put it into the collection box. This way, I don’t have to worry about forgetting it, and I can stay focused on the current task.

When we are more focused on the present, our efficiency naturally increases, rather than constantly being interrupted.

You might think, “Isn’t this the same as using sticky notes?”

Yes, because I’m just introducing GTD. GTD involves five processes: Collect, Process, Organize, Review, and Do.

To demonstrate the GTD process, I have designed a Notion template based on GTD.