Creating a GTD Notebook

My friend Kathryn asked me how to create/organize a GTD notebook, so I created this little video for her. I realize that I didn't go into the explicit organizing of the notebook. I have my tabs in this order

1. Goals: My general big goals
2. Projects: More or less my active project list
3. Someday: Projects I want to do ... someday
4. Lists: My general catch-all tab for listy things. (Note: I used to have separate tabs for music, book recommendations, but I found it was easier for me to put it all on one list tab.)
5. @ASAP: My first @ (at) tab. Things I need to do RIGHT NOW
6. @wait: stuff I am waiting to hear back from people
7. @home: stuff I need to do at home
8. @brain: stuff I need to think about (half thoughts I want to flesh out more)
9. @laptop: stuff I do at my computer (which is a laptop)
10. @phone: people I have to call
11. @email: emails I have to send (or respond to) Note: I also manage my email in my email client. These are emails that I think of sending when I am not near my computer.
12. @car: stuff I have to do in my car, errands, etc
13. Agenda: My notes, fleshing out tasks, section of my notebook

Other tabs I have had in my notebooks
- Contacts: phone numbers, emails, etc
- Travel: travel schedule
- Inbox: I used to have a tab for inbox items, but I tend to process those on my desk and not in my notebook
- 2Blog: blog post ideas
- KickAss: Specific projects, ideas that kick ass

And then I have had project specific tabs for my clients, website or work.

The beauty of GTD is that you can completely customize it to work with your style - whatever that might be.

Now you can watch the video and learn how to create your own GTD notebook.

Comments

[WebDrops]

Excellent Job!! Must say your GTD notebook has it all... :)

[Jim Robertson]

Hi, I live in the UK and am keen to find the sticky tabs you use to make up your notebook. Do you have any tips on where I could find these? Any info on who manufactures them or retails them would really help. I've hunted hi and low in stationery shops and can't seem to find them anywhere.

Great videos,
Jim

[James Hahn II]

I've got to say THANK YOU for your explanation of a GTD notebook. I was required to read GTD for my coaching school this summer, but I really didn't understand how to implement the system until I saw your video. I FINALLY set up my notebook yesterday and I've been absolutely "kicking ass!" ever since!!

I'm now about to handle all of my @Home tasks without zero anxiety about missing something because, believe it or not, I've completed all of my emails and made every phone call I need to. And some of those calls and emails had been rolling around in my head causing anxiety for months.

THANK YOU for introducing me to the FREEDOM of GTD!!!

[Heather]

James - you are very welcome! :)

[Tyler McCart]

Hi Heather, I have been using the GTD Notebook for about the last 60 days and I have found it to be extremely useful. I am still new to GTD. i have only been using the GTD mindset for about a year now.

I am curious, since your youtube post, have you made any improvements to your GTD notebook list of contexts?

Thanks! Tyler

[Pim Jansens]

Nice video. I also like this one about a system they call pile-file:
http://www.youtube.com/robsprotips#p/a/u/1/H5tnm8Xj1d0

[heather]

Tyler - I have done some tweaks and changes. I have some new videos I'd like to do, but alas, I have been busy. Soon though.

Actually I have gone somewhat electronic, although I still carry a lightweight GTD notebook with me.