Getting Things Done
In today's world, yesterday's methods just don't work. In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen's premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential.
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A consultant lays out a step-by-step system for capturing every commitment, deciding what action it requires, and trusting an external system enough to actually relax. The book that launched the GTD movement.
Getting Things Done (GTD) is David Allen's framework for organizing tasks, projects, and commitments to free up cognitive load. The system relies on capturing everything, processing it through defined steps, and reviewing weekly. It has become one of the most influential productivity systems of the 21st century.
Yes, with caveats. GTD's core principles (capture, clarify, organize, reflect, engage) remain widely used, but the specific tooling examples (paper inboxes, file folders) feel dated. The 2015 revised edition addresses digital workflows. Many modern productivity apps are GTD-inspired.
Getting Things Done was written by David Allen, published in 2001 by Penguin Books.
Getting Things Done is 279 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Getting Things Done takes most readers 4 to 6 hours to finish.
Getting Things Done is a standalone novel by David Allen, not part of a series.
Getting Things Done is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
