Getting Things Done is a process of getting stuff out of your head in a trusted system and accomplishing your goals, created by David Allen.

Sure, you could see the listing of GTD on Wikipedia

Or you could go directly to David Allen's Site Davidco

Link to the Book @ Amazon

Since you've made it this far, here are the basics:

The problem is, that most of the time you make lists. Sure, you call them "To Do" lists, but there's an inherit problem in most of your to do items.

They're not stuff you can "do." Many of the items you write down are actually projects. And they're like a land mine, because you probably avoid them as you're aware that they're involved, but you don't know how to start. And you feel overwhelmed, over and over again.

GTD, at its core:

• It's a trusted system to get all those things (called open loops) out of your head, so you can focus on actually doing things stress free.
• It's a process to help you make the decision on what the best Next Action you can do (given where you are, how you feel and how much time you have.),
• It helps you differentiate between a Project and a Next Action (Hint: A next action is something you can actually DO)

Here's how it works:

• Collect everything (every scrap of paper, everything!)
• Process these items.
  • If it takes you less than 2 min, just DO IT.
  • If it takes you more than 2 min and it's something you can "do" it's an Action
  • If it has multiple steps, it's not an Action it's a Project
• Organize everything you've collected
  • Figure out all your projects
  • Every ACTION can only take place in certain CONTEXTS (Home, Work, email, errands, phone). Only worry/look at those items depending on what context you're at. Why even pay attention to stuff you have to do @ home, when you're at work?
• DO - based on your context; your instinct is enough to guide what you should be doing based on priority (deadlines), energy and time available
• REVIEW- daily, weekly and monthly.

Some common thoughts that newbies have:

I'm at work and I just remembered about something I need to do at home?That's great - collect it (these collections are called buckets) and when you have a chance, process + organize it. Get it into your trusted system.

But what about my calendar?

Only put those things on your calendar that are actually DUE. Turn your calendar into a trusted system, not something to 'force' you to get an action done at a particular time.

Other places to visit:

www.43folders.com

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