Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Version: Unabridged (Abridged version available here)
Author: David Allen
Narrator: David Allen
Genres: Self-help
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Published In: January 2008
# of Units: 7 CDs
Length: 8 hours
Ratings:
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Overview

In today's world of exponentially increased communication and responsibility, yesterday's methods for staying on top just don't work.

Veteran management consultant and trainer David Allen recognizes that "time management" is useless the minute your schedule is interrupted; "setting priorities" isn't relevant when your e-mail is down; "procrastination solutions" won't help if your goals aren't clear.

Allen's premise is simple: our ability to be productive is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve stress-free productivity and unleash our creative potential. He teaches us how to:


' Apply the "do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it" rule to get your in-box empty
' Reassess goals and stay focused in changing situations
' Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed
' Feel fine about what you're not doing

From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done has the potential to transform the way you work -- and the way you experience work. At any level of implementation, David Allen's entertaining and thought-provoking advice shows you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.

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Selected Reviews

by Becky Phillips
  • Book Rating: 5/5

tough topic, good suggestions

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 13

Reviews (13)

Written by Becky Phillips on August 31st, 2012

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I found it to be helpful

tough topic, good suggestions

Written by Anonymous from Oshkosh, WI on July 20th, 2010

  • Book Rating: 3/5

I enjoyed the ideas in this book/CD but think it would be good to read the printed version to actually be able to make notes in the book. As other suggest, maybe listening with a notebook handy is the way to treat this book because it is filled with actionable steps. I listen in the car during my commute so it's kind of tough. Regardless, I think I'll buy the book now and share it with my employees. I know I've just done two little things and my employees have noticed the change in my productivity!

Getting things done

Written by Anonymous on May 15th, 2010

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Good ideas but got a little bit boring. The third CD was damaged so I didn't get a chance to listen to it but after getting through the first two I didn't mind not hearing the 3rd. Who knows ... it could have been much more compelling.

Very Boring

Written by Anonymous on January 20th, 2010

  • Book Rating: 2/5

The four words that always make an audio reader break out into a sweat is when he hears the words "read by the author". Sometimes you are wrong, and an author can be a good reader. Often though you realize why writing and narration are two distinct fields. The book was so boring that I couldn't get through the CD's. It's a shame, because it covers a subject with which many of us could stand improvement.

I asked the question...this book provided some answers

Written by P Shaw on April 12th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I found it very helpful. It had some sound suggestions for my problem with time-management. I'm convinced that if I execute even 1/2 of his suggestions, my quality of life will be be greatly improved.

Getting Things Done

Written by Anonymous on December 5th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 1/5

One of the worst CD books I've ever listened to. So boring that I couldn't even get through the whole thing. It only had information which is common sense. Wasn't helpful.

Getting Things Done

Written by Anonymous on December 4th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 3/5

This book presents a very basic approach to productivity and management of personal work. The book is fast paced and mildly interesting. My guess is that it would work much better if one reads it. Listening to this book probably limits what one can get from it. I must admit I didn't finish all 4 CD's and probably recommend this book to someone looking for basic management information.

Excellent

Written by Daniel Taibi on October 31st, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

The only bad thing I have to say about this one is, you probably need to get the written version, or listen to this while you take notes. All of the advice is action oriented and you need to translate that to a written format for later review.

Getting Things done

Written by Mark Blakey on October 19th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 1/5

This book is absolutely horrible!!! If you are competent at all, this book is not for you. If you don't have an ounce of organization, this would be a good book. I already do 90% of the things suggested, and the other 10% are a waste of time. Maybe good for an elementary school student??? DON'T RENT.

very well done.

Written by Anthony on August 2nd, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Very well done. Not preachy or pushy. The tips are essentially to extend what you probably already do. I have applied some of his ideas and it's worked quite well. And he's a good reader of his own material.

Selected Reviews

by Becky Phillips
  • Book Rating: 5/5

tough topic, good suggestions

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 13

Author Details

Author Details

Allen, David

David Allen (b. December 28, 1945) is a productivity consultant. He is the creator of the Getting Things Done time management method.

He grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana where he acted and won a state championship in debate. He went to college at New College, now New College of Florida, in Sarasota, Florida. His career path has included jobs as a magician, waiter, karate teacher, landscaper, vitamin distributor, glass-blowing lathe operator, travel agent, gas station manager, U-Haul dealer, moped salesman, restaurant cook[1], personal growth trainer, and manager of a lawn service company and a travel agency. He is also an ordained minister with the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.[2][3] He claims to have had 35 professions before age 35.[4] He began applying his perspective on productivity with businesses in the 1980s when he got a contract to design a program for executives and managers at Lockheed.

He is the founder of the David Allen Company, which is focused on productivity and executive coaching. The Getting Things Done method is part of his coaching efforts. He was also one of the founders of Actioneer, Inc., a company specializing in productivity tools for the Palm Pilot.

Allen has written two books, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, which describes his productivity program and Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life, a collection of newsletter articles he has written. He lives in Ojai, California with his fourth wife, Kathryn[1].