It has been a few weeks that I have been using David Allen’s Getting Things Done system. My first impression was that a lot of the steps seem obvious and that I was already partially doing it, but I am finding out that implementing the whole system has given me a lot more control over all the things I need to get done. My effectiveness is not just incremental; it’s increased to a new level.

For those who want to get started in GTD, the first thing I recommend is going straight to David Allen’s book. Don’t read a Wikipedia article to get a summary. Don’t read other people’s interpretation of GTD (yet). Instead, read the original source. After reading the book for yourself, then it makes sense to see how others implement GTD. A popular link is the Getting Started in GTD post at 43 Folders. There is also a GTD blog network, and two that I particularly follow include HD BizBlog and Organize IT. It can be helpful to compare how others are using GTD.

As you get started with GTD, here are five tips to remember:

1. Trust the system: A key benefit is that GTD helps to relieve stress by having reminders and action items that you normally keep in your head and off-load them to the GTD system. This is key, because if you don’t trust the system, then you won’t consistently use it, and your GTD system will not have complete information of the actions you need to do. GTD will not be reliable if you don’t use it consistently.
2. Get all the tools you need: Do not skimp with the tools you need. If you need 43 folders, buy 430 folders. If you need a new filing cabinet, buy one that will last 20 years. If you need a PDA, get one that received excellent customer reviews and make sure it has a wi-fi connection. Buy Post-it notes (a lot of them), and not the cheap store-brand stickies. If you are serious about getting things done, you need to show your commitment by making sure you have the proper tools.
3. Break everything down into actions: As David Allen said in his book, you do not do projects, but you do actions. Especially when you are faced with a task or project that is big and complex, remember to break it down to granular, specific actions.
4. Follow through with scheduled actions: A bad habit that is common is taking the action items from one day and letting it carry over to the next day, then to the next day after, etc… In GTD, you must not do that. A scheduled action is a vow that you must keep. If scheduled actions can keep drifting from one day to the next, then the GTD system will have no integrity.
5. Continually refine your GTD system: Especially for beginners, figure out what works and what doesn’t. I do not follow David Allen’s book by the letter, but adopted it for my own style. For example, I do not use real folders, but virtual folders that I store electronically in my PDA. I am in the minority however, because most people use physical folders. See how others are using GTD to find useful tools and techniques you can use to improve your own GTD system.

The weekly review is something that David Allen recommends. Even for the long-time GTD user, it can be a good exercise to evaluate your GTD system through the eyes of a beginner to remind yourself of the purpose of your specific procedures and to keep things fresh and new.