Comments on: Getting Things Done For Lawyers – Commencing GTD Legal Week

By: Larry Port

Larry Port — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:43:36 +0000

Hey Kris:

You’re absolutely right! You want to get it out of your head. That was a typo, and I’ve fixed it. Great catch.

By: Kris Krol

Kris Krol — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:32:07 +0000

I am a late-comer to these posts. I was reading with interest, because I am a lawyer, who has implemented GTD in my TimeMatters system. I also recently began my consulting practice, assisting other lawyers and law firms with productivity and increasing profitability through use of technology, as well as implementing paperless office solutions. My reading of the GTD book would indicate that David Allen wants us to capture information and get it OUT of our heads, no INTO our heads. The concept is that, with all kinds of tasks and things rattling around in our heads, we can be stressed out. So, we get it OUT of our heads and into a sysem that we trust to work for us. You have picked up this concept in the main body of the post, but in the first bullet point, you say to get it “into your head.” Good post, otherwise! Thanks.

By: Larry Port

Larry Port — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:46:16 +0000

Thanks Andrea! Let’s get a guest post from you on DAFT.

By: Andrea Cannavina

Andrea Cannavina — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:57:28 +0000

You are going to find lots of things are different between IT/software companies and law firms! I have found very few solos or large firms where anyone knows anything about GTD. So, thanks for doing this series, Larry. I hope lots of legal peeps learn from it!

I found GTD several years ago, but soon realized it had too many categories and lists for me to stay on top of – I was spending all my time figuring out my lists! So I literally created my own organizational system somewhat based on GTD and a few other systems which I call DAFT.

As for so many balls in the air – who do you think it is keeping track of those items… the attorney? Nope! In most instances, it is his/her secretary/assistant – you know the one who never gets a mention as a “professional” in law firm.

It is the assistants of the world who are keeping those busy lawyers and firms humming along; not missing deadlines, clients happy, etc.

So think of the assistants at law firms as you write these columns – dedicated, overworked and under appreciated peeps – they need GTD even more than the attorneys!