The Relaxed Writer

Relaxation 102: List Your Open Loops (GTD)

"Open loops" describe any project or focus that's taking up space in your mind.  David Allen, who coined the term, contends that we drain our energy by subconsciously trying to track and remember all of our next actions.  Can you relate? 

Without a system to capture, store and organize my open loops (for me, this consists of project lists, to-do lists and my calendar), the narrative in my brain tends to sound something like this: 

"Take trash out tonight...gather recycling, too.  Post class reminder on Twitter.  Call mom and check in.  Draft newsletter article and find out: is X is attending the teleclass?  Is my daughter's doctor's appointment this afternoon or next week? Hmmm...where did I put the charger? (Must remember to buy a new one.)  Oh, must remember to congratulate client on his recent publication.  And what was the title of the novel my in-law mentioned?"   

Exhausting to read, isn't it?

While the details may differ, chances are good that you've got your own version of mental chatter.  You can begin to plug the energy drain caused by trying to track it all.  Here's a 10-minute exercise to get you started on Allen's path to Getting Things Done.

Try This Today:

Grab a piece of paper, set a timer for 10 minutes, and list--as quickly as you can--any and every open loop in your personal, professional and creative life.  Put everything down, no matter how trite, long-rang or irrelevant.

Getting your open loops down on paper (and out of your head) will free up mental real estate and energize you.

Bonus:  Put a small tick mark beside each action that would take you two minutes to complete.  Go through the list and do as many of these two-minute actions as you can.

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Keep your list handy and come back for a new post on "Processing Your Inputs," the important second step of Allen's productivity method. 

Until then, gather, name and list your open loops. Enjoy the freedom you'll feel when you've taken this critical first step.

Relaxation 101: Work from the Ground Up

Welcome to the first in a series of posts highlighting useful principles from David Allen's sparkling and wise workflow management system, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.  Today's topic?  Basic relaxation.

Let's get started!

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RELAXATION 101:  Work from the Ground Up

Introduction

Vision statements and other long-term planning tools are powerful, but they're more effective once your day-to-day experience is characterized by a general sense of control, comfort and relaxation.  If you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, it really is possible to relax more.  To begin, work from the ground up.

Case Study

At the beginning of each new coaching partnership, my clients prepare responses to a series of "big picture questions" for our first meeting as coach and client.  Among other things, during this initial intake session we discuss a client's:

    * writing and lifestyle goals
    * past successes and challenges
    * visions and intentions for the future

It's fun work, getting to know someone in this way.  And most everyone I've met finds great benefit in taking time to reflect, review and imagine a meaningful context for their life.

In subsequent coaching sessions, however, we often shift our focus from this "big picture" view down to the level of the client's daily experience.  David Allen, author of Getting Things Done:  The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, uses an altitude metaphor: he'd say that we shift our focus down from the "50,000+ feet perspective" to the "10,000 feet" (and "Runway") levels.  A client who is off-track and experience obstacles (such as a lack of time, focus or creativity) need a foundation for relaxation.  We begin  by inventorying, managing and fine-tuning his or her current projects, commitments and action steps. 

Incremental changes accumulate over time. Relaxed and confident that daily details aren't being missed, the client can then employ "bigger picture" coaching tools such as vision statements, dream maps and long-term goals.  Working from the ground up empowers him or her to refine, redirect or  redefine the trajectory of their writing or their life. 

"[A bottom-up approach is] a critical factor in achieving a balanced, productive, and comfortable life," says Allen.  Beginning at the bottom is not always intuitive.  What about the bigger picture?  Allen says this:  in order to gain a sense of relaxation and control, we need to feel that our projects and any fact, obligation, commitment or "to do" that's taking up space in our head is out of our head and captured in a system where it's both seen and managed.  This frees us up to be more fully present and responsive.

Working from the ground up creates lasting change, says Allen.  My coaching experience confirms this.  To relax, begin with the basic elements of your daily life.  What follows are some ideas to help get you started.

Get Started:  Questions for Reflection

• What small daily action can you take to nurture, center and ground yourself?

 I can't recommend meditation (in whatever form you find it) highly enough.  Discover a method or activity that works for you.  Do it daily. 

• Is your project management system capturing every last detail, so you don't have to monitor, track or try to remember them in your head?

 If not, consider instituting a system like the one outlined in Getting Things Done.  Try this on your own, with a peer group, or with a coach.

• Are you feeling overcommitted?  Overwhelmed or resentful at obligations? 

If so, it's time to boost your sense of personal agency by releasing what no longer working for you.  A coach can be an invaluable partner in this process.  Make a few brave changes and marvel at the creative energy you free up in doing so.

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I hope you found something interesting or useful in today's post.  If so, I'd love for you to post your comments.  Thanks for reading, and I hope you'll check back soon for another Getting Things Done tip.