GTD@Meetings

Seth Godin posts on his blog about three types of meetings (see below.) His advice to us is not to confuse what type of meeting you are facilitating or attending.  When the type of meeting is agreed to and understood you have a  better chance of getting something done.

1. Information. This is a meeting where attendees are informed about what is happening (with or without their blessing). While there may be a facade of conversation, it’s primarily designed to inform.
2. Discussion. This is a meeting where the leader actually wants feedback or direction or connections. You can use this meeting to come up with an action plan, or develop a new idea, for example.
3. Permission. This is a meeting where the other side is supposed to say yes but has the power to say no.

I’ve definitely been in “Information” meetings framed as “Discussion” meetings.  It’s that awkward moment when the presenter (usually a higher zoned manager” asks “Does anyone have any questions or comments? Come on, don’t hold back.” And then there is that long period of silence with no one making eye contact.  The presenter in most cases did not set the stage or the environment for honest and open feedback.

GTD and Mindmaps

I’m a big fan of mindmapping. I know it’s not for everyone, but I’ve used the technique for years in everything from personal planning to large scale project planning.  One thing I have not consider applying mindmapping to is – GTD. Well, luckily some others have.

A recent slew of blog posts have addressed the “what” and “how” of using mind maps in the various areas of GTD.  Here’s a video which walks through an implementation of GTD via mindmaps:

Additional helpful links:

• Link to an open source mindmapping tool – Freemind (This is the tool I use.)
  • Update 10 Mar: Just wanted to clarify that Mars does not support the download of open-source software that has not been extensively tested by SDS. If you are interested in experimenting with mindmapping software I suggest a  web-based, online tool such as mind42.com.
• Mindjet blogger Michael Deutch shows how he uses mindmaps for GTD 
• Arif and Ali Vakil blog about creating a My World mindmap to capture the 20,000 and 30,000 ft Areas of Focus maps.
• Link to a 24 Mar 09 Webinar on using Mindjet and GTD

Is this a priority?

Is your reading this blog post a priority? If not, what are your priorities and how did you define them?  Another good question would be “how often do they change?”

In my twisted (yet socially functional) mind a person can only have one priority – whatever they should be doing right now.

Who cares what your top, middle, second-to-middle, almost last and absolutely, unconditionally bottom of the list priorities are? I only care about my number one priority and that is the one thing I should be doing right here, right now.  The question is, how do I know what that is?

Well, it starts with my to-do lists. When at work I refer to my “@work” list.  In addition to my weekly reviews, I review this list each morning and write 3-4 items that I would like to get done that day (in addition to any calendar actions which have to get done.) Then throughout my day I take a look at my list and ask the following (I’m in the “Doing” stage of the 5 Stages of Mastering Workflow for those GTDers who are following along):

• Context – where am I and what is available: Computer? Reference material? Cell phone? Banana? Cooking pan?
• Time – how much time do I have: 5 minutes? 10 minutes? 2 hours?
• Energy – how much energy do I have: Do I have enough to call that plumber who charged me an outrageous $500 to unclog my drain from when my kids threw sticks into it?
• Priority – then, based on the answers to the above and filtering what’s next on my list I determine what is most important – and I do it!

Kelly Forrister over at Simply GTD with Kelly takes this stance on priorities:

Bottom line, you are the one deciding whether or not to spend time with your kids or read that report on the weekend. Or, whether you should call the client or call your dentist. The more complete the inventory of your choices, and how that maps to what’s important to you personally and professionally, the easier and faster that decision will be.

Update 3Mar09: Here’s a link to a GTDTimes post about conflicting priorities.