The Art of
Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen at TEDxClaremontColleges
David Allen is known
as the creator of the time management method "Getting Things Done".
In this TedTalk, he starts with a story of crisis in which the goal becomes
clear. In that moment there's only one thing you can do, you need to be fully present
in the moment. He believes that "getting things done" is not about
getting things done. Appropriate engagement is the key; one should be
appropriately engaged in the moment. He tells us to have a perspective which is
the ability to focus exactly where you need it and when you need it. Just
notice what's going on your mind and get appropriately engaged to it.
He explains how to
make our lives better and live stress free while getting things done. He says
one should not be worried about the things they have to do as they already know
how to get them done.
He believes in the
term "mind like water". Water body responds to the physical forces
around it appropriately. It doesn't over or under react; it's balanced and
react appropriately. If we throw a pebble in it, it will react and then back to
the calm state again. Water doesn't get mad at pebble for disturbing its calm
life, but it rather gets back to its original balanced state. This is how our
minds should work and how we should get things done, react appropriately and
get things done while living a balanced life.
He shares what he
learned from this and the lessons were:
- Flexibility trunks
perfection
- shift in and out
It's important to
shift focus rapidly and being available for each thing in the given time. We need
to able to shift our focus from one thing to another as our life demands, one
minute we may be doing our work but after some time we might need to throw the
garbage. Getting things done with appropriate engagement and being fully
available is the real key.
“If you
do not pay attention to what has your attention, you will give it more
attention than it deserves."
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