Getting Things Done – What You Need to Get Started

David Allen’s book Getting Things Done is our January “Book of the Month.”  I have been reading through it and finding lots of inspiration to get going.  Today, I wanted to give you a list of stuff that you will need to get started, but before I do that here is something he said that makes a lot of sense:  The filing system you set up should be:

FAST (it should take you less than a minute to get what you need from the file)

FUN (if it’s not fun, you won’t keep doing it)

EASY (that goes with fast, I think)

CURRENT (the stuff you are working with right now)

COMPLETE (nothing left out).

I like the “Fun” part, especially.  So here’s what you need:

1.  A Labelmaker - Cool!  I love labelmakers.  I always borrow my daughter-in-law’s but he says you need your own so you can make labels whenever you need to.  So I went out and bought one.  Of course, I bought a Dymo, since they were nice enough to give me a Twin Turbo for the December contest.  (I did give it away.)

2. File folders. I bought a lot of colorful folders.  No boring “vanilla” ones for me.  You may need the hanging folders but they won’t be labeled.  You will put just one folder in each hanger.

3.  A quality filing drawer or cabinet. Make it easy to get into so you don’t have to fight with the drawers.  I already have a credenza that goes with my desk, so I’m set there.

This is just the beginning.  There is lots more in his books (I also read Ready for Anything:52 Productivity Principles….).

More on this subject next week, including a CONTEST announcement.