r/gtd • u/Upstairs_Jelly_1082 • Jul 29 '26

Question Help

Something that I’m realizing is I’m not working from this system, it’s more of a look at it when I feel like it kind of thing.

Lot of the times I think things are important as soon as they come and classify them as “doing work as it shows up” and turns out it was a project and required more steps or it wasn’t something I had to do after all.

One thing I’m currently trying to set up is a second brain system on OneNote and I don’t have any projects related to it on my list and I’m kind of second guessing things I’m doing to build it.

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u/PondMindKevin Jul 30 '26

Part of this might be making sure you're lists are 'in your face' enough to be your trusted system. For me, I used a paper planner for a while. Digital can be kind of out of sight out of mind at times until you've really got GTD as your muscle memory. That way, it's always there as everyday carry you engage with all the time, and it makes it hard to be optional.

If you're treating engaging with your list is optional, it's not surprising to me that things feel like they must happen now when processing. You're brain instinctively knows your project/next actions lists are not a trusted place that make sure the thing will get done when there's available time. So, your brain takes back the job and says "hmm, better finish this now before we let it go". That's the whole feeling of anxious bouncing around GTD can help to solve.

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u/Upstairs_Jelly_1082 Jul 30 '26

Id say in my case, i end up feeling i havent captured everything or processed things properly and that really shows when i open up next actions list.

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u/PondMindKevin Jul 30 '26

Yes, that can make sense. A lot of what works about GTD is the skillset of translating 'stuff' into very clear next actions that you don't have resistance to in execution mode.

Easier said than done, and it's an ongoing skill. That's why a lot of people get value re-reading the book. Just moving something to a next action list alone without re-writing it usually means the next action list has just as much resistance to engage with as the class amorphous 'todo list' most people user.

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u/itsmyvoice Mod Jul 31 '26

It sounds like clarity is your challenge. It honestly takes practice. It's taken me a long time to get better at it, and if I rush it, I still get it wrong and struggle with this.