GTD Gems
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Getting Things Done, this weekly series features Meg Edwards, a Certified GTD Coach Master Trainer with over 26 years of experience, reflecting on the enduring ideas from David Allen’s work. Drawing from Getting Things Done, Ready for Anything, and Making It All Work, each episode explores timeless GTD “gems” that invite reflection, insight, and renewed perspective.
Episodes
Is AI Creating More Work Than It Removes?
GTD Gems is entering a new chapter. GTD coach Meg Edwards is joined by Kerry Gallivan, who leads GTD Focus's GTD and AI programs, to introduce four new coaching programs and share one gem for the AI beginner and one for the agent power user. Their shared message: AI can quietly create more work than it removes, and GTD is what keeps you grounded.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why AI
GTD Gems: Back to Basics for the AI Age.
In this final solo episode of GTD Gems, GTD coach Meg Edwards announces a new direction for the series: exploring GTD in the age of AI alongside coach Kerry Gallivan, who leads GTD Focus's GTD and AI programs. To mark the shift, Meg reads from the Conclusion of David Allen's Getting Things Done, published 25 years ago. She also explains why a solid GTD practice is the foundation for addi
Why Sharing a Workspace Quietly Adds to Your Stress
In this GTD Gem, GTD coach Meg Edwards shares a passage from Chapter 4 of David Allen's Getting Things Done, "Getting Started: Setting Up Your Time, Space, and Tools." She explores why having your own dedicated workspace matters and why sharing one can create underlying stress.What You'll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why you need a system you use, instead of one you keep rebuilding
Is There A Decision You're Avoiding?
Meg Edwards tackles a next action that shows up on almost every client's list: "decide" or "think about," sitting there untouched. Drawing from Getting Things Done, chapter 7 (page 181), Meg walks through David Allen's guidance on decision catalysts, and how a calendar reminder or tickler file can turn a stalled decision into something you can trust yourself to revisi
Is This Really All There Is? David Allen's Honest Answer.
Meg Edwards shares a GTD gem straight from a conversation with David Allen: why so many people still don't fully capture everything out of their heads, even after understanding the concept for years. Drawing from Chapter 10 of Ready for Anything, Meg unpacks the deeper, more uncomfortable reason behind the resistance, and the surprising relief that comes from facing it.What You'll Learn
3 Ways to Stop Breaking Promises to Yourself
GTD coach Meg Edwards unpacks one of David Allen's most powerful ideas: your stress and feelings of guilt isn't coming from having too much to do, it's coming from broken agreements with yourself. Drawing from Chapter 11 of Getting Things Done, page 244, Meg breaks down why this distinction matters and what to do about it.What You'll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why "too much
What's Got Your Attention Right Now?
GTD coach Meg Edwards reads from chapter 1 of David Allen's Ready for Anything, unpacking the "mind like water" concept he borrowed from years of studying karate. She traces how that idea shaped her own path into GTD, and how the Weekly Review still brings her back to that steady state today.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why David Allen says people don't need more di
Capture Every Conversation With One Simple GTD List.
GTD coach Meg Edwards digs into what she considered two of the most valuable lists in your GTD system: Agendas and Waiting For. What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 The difference between a Next Actions list and an Agenda list👉 How to organize and close the loop after any conversation👉 The three-part structure that makes a Waiting For list super usefulTimestamps:00:00:03 – Meg Introduces Agend
Are You Overcommitted or Just Misaligned?
GTD coach Meg Edwards steps back from the higher horizons to revisit a foundational GTD truth — that stress doesn't come from having too much to do, but from infinite possibilities and misaligned commitments. Meg shares a personal story about recalibrating two major areas of focus and how the weekly review helped her catch it before it became overwhelming.What You'll Learn in This Episod
The GTD Horizon That Answers "Why Does Any of This Matter?"
GTD coach Meg Edwards explores the highest horizon in the GTD framework — horizon 5, purpose and principles — and shares personal stories about how fleshing out this level changed the way she makes decisions in both her personal and professional life. Featuring readings from Getting Things Done and David Allen's Making It All Work.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 What David Allen mean
The GTD Level That Changes How You See the Present
GTD coach Meg Edwards explores the vision level of the horizons of focus — horizon 4 — and shares a deeply personal story about what happens when you lose sight of your own vision, and what it takes to get it back. Featuring readings from Getting Things Done and David Allen's "Making It All Work."What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 The difference between the goals level and the
Why Setting More Goals Might Be the Wrong Move Right Now
GTD coach Meg Edwards explores the goals level of the horizons of focus and makes a case for why setting new goals before you have control of your everyday world can actually work against you. Featuring a reading from chapter 8 of Getting Things Done.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why GTD takes a bottom up approach before tackling goals and vision👉 What David Allen says about setting goa
How to Think About Your Work on Six Different Levels
GTD coach Meg Edwards introduces the Higher Horizons of Focus and shares the fascinating story of how David Allen first discovered the six-level framework — including the Wall Street executive whose schedule problem turned out to be about something much more important. Featuring a reading from David Allen's "Making It All Work," chapter 2.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 The
What Is Your Procrastination Really Trying to Tell You?
GTD coach Meg Edwards tackles one of the most common struggles she sees in coaching — procrastination — and shares David Allen's take on why smart people are actually the most likely to get stuck. Featuring a reading from chapter 12 of Getting Things Done.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why the smartest, most creative people procrastinate the most👉 How to "befriend" your p
How Many Times Have You Wished You Had a Checklist?
GTD coach Meg Edwards shines a light on one of the most important steps in the weekly review — the checklists prompt — and why building even a few simple checklists can save you from repeated mistakes and forgotten details.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why checklists keep getting pushed aside during the weekly review👉 Where to store your checklists and how David Allen defines their purp
The GTD Project List Mistake That Creates More Work
GTD coach Meg Edwards takes a fresh look at the GTD the project list and why ignoring your "secondary" projects might be creating the very fires you're constantly putting out. Featuring a reading from David Allen's "Ready for Anything," chapter 7.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why your B and C priority projects are quietly causing your biggest problems👉 Why
The GTD Concept That Makes Unplanned Work Easier to Handle
GTD coach Meg Edwards unpacks one of David Allen's most powerful concepts, the threefold nature of work, and why understanding it can completely change how you experience your day.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 The three types of work everyone does, and why most people only recognize one👉 Accepting unplanned work as a part of life👉 How naming your work in the moment can change your
The GTD Secret to Freedom With Structure
GTD coach Meg Edwards explores how to have control without feeling constrained. Featuring a reading from David Allen's "Ready for Anything," chapter 3.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why control doesn't have to mean restriction — and how to reframe it👉 The two moves that give you both freedom and structure: concentration and cooperation👉 What these two concepts look li
Why Getting Organized Isn't the Same as Getting Things Done
GTD coach Meg Edwards tackles one of the most common traps in productivity, spending so much time getting organized that you never actually get things done. Featuring a reading from David Allen's "Ready for Anything," chapter 41.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 The difference between getting organized and actually getting things done👉 Why micro-organizing everything is a tra
Why Some People Get GTD (And Others Aren't Ready Yet)
GTD coach Meg Edwards takes a step back from the mechanics of Getting Things Done to explore the bigger question: why do some people take to GTD instantly while others never quite get it? Featuring a reading from David Allen's "Ready for Anything," chapter 50.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why GTD attracted Meg when other productivity systems failed her👉 The one common den
What's Really Keeping You Up at Night?
GTD coach Meg Edwards introduces one of the most powerful concepts in the Getting Things Done methodology, Open Loops, and why capturing and clarifying them is the key to reducing stress and gaining focus.What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 What open loops are and why they pull at your attention👉 How unmanaged commitments create stress, even when you don't feel stressed👉 Two powerful que
How Much Snow Is on Your Runway? (GTD Reference Explained)
GTD coach Meg Edwards breaks down the third and final "no side" tool in the GTD clarifying and organizing process — Reference — and why getting it clean and current can change your entire work environment. What You'll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why reference has no psychological weight once you've decided it's not actionable👉 How to think about your reference system as a pers
Never Forget a Time-Sensitive Task Again
GTD coach Meg Edwards explains what a Tickler file is, how it differs from the Someday/Maybe list, and why it's one of the most underused organizational tools in the GTD system.What You'll Learn in This Episode: 👉 The key difference between a Tickler and a Someday/Maybe list 👉 How to set up both a physical and electronic Tickler 👉 Real-life examples of what belongs in a TicklerTimestamps
The GTD Someday/Maybe List Explained
GTD coach Meg Edwards provides an overview of the Someday/Maybe List and how it helps prevent everything you say yes to from becoming an immediate next action.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why the Someday/Maybe list is not a “graveyard” for ideas 👉 Ways to organize your Someday/Maybe list 👉 The “infinite possibilities” causes stressTimestamps:00:00 The Yes Side of Clarifying00:39 The No Sid
Where to Start With GTD When You Feel Overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start with GTD? If your system feels like there’s too much to do, even after years of practice, this simple reset can help you regain clarity quickly.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why starting with your current reality beats starting with priorities 👉 How small, unfinished tasks create mental overwhelmTimestamps:00:00 Where do you start with GTD?00:
Stop Procrastinating: Use the 2-Minute Rule
The 2-Minute Rule is one of the simplest ways to stop procrastinating, and start building momentum immediately.David Allen says: if something takes less than two minutes, do it now. This simple rule helps you find clarity, stay focused in fast-paced environments, rid yourself of unnecessary overwhelm.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 What the 2-Minute Rule is and how it works👉 How small tasks cr
The Simple Productivity Rule: Create or Complete
David Allen shares a powerful insight: everything you do falls into one of two categories, create or complete. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 The difference between “creating” and “completing”👉 Why finishing tasks often sparks new ideas👉 A simple mental model to guide your next actionTimestamps:00:00 Meg introduction00:30 You're here to complete and create01:49 Best practices for each▶️
Your Brain Is a Terrible Office (Here’s What Works)
Trying to keep everything in your head?If you’re using your brain as a to-do list, this insight from David Allen may change how you work.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why your brain is a “crappy office” for managing tasks👉 The hidden cost of trying to remember everythingTimestamps:00:00 Meg introduction00:47 Building an external brain01:50 Your mind is sneaky02:19 You are not your work▶️ Wat
How to Make Your GTD Weekly Review Work for You
Are you finding it tough to stay consistent with your GTD Weekly Review?Do you sometimes feel guilty for not doing it “the right way” as it’s written in the books?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD coach Meg Edwards shares how to make your GTD Weekly Review work for you through customization.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 Why the Weekly Review isn’t one-size-fits-all 👉 How to “get off your bac
The Way to Handle Problems With Less Stress | GTD Gems
When is a problem actually a project?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD coach Meg Edwards explores how shifting your perspective from “problem” to “project” can dramatically reduce stress and create forward momentum.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why every problem can be reframed as a project👉 How identifying a successful outcome creates clarity👉 How embracing friction can actually improve prod
Horizontal vs Vertical Focus (Why Some Projects Need More Thinking)
Have you ever captured a project in your system… but it still stays on your mind? 🤔 The difference between horizontal focus and vertical focus may explain why some projects need more thinking before they feel under control.In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD coach Meg Edwards explores how horizontal vs. vertical focus in GTD works, and when it’s time to use the Natural Planning Model to gain clarity
The Difference Between Scanning and Clarifying
Is checking your inbox the same as actually processing it?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD Coach Meg Edwards explains the difference between scanning and clarifying, and why emergency scanning your inbox isn’t the same as processing it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 When emergency scanning is helpful👉 How to move through your inbox one item at a time👉 The clarifying questions that reduce over
Why Your GTD System Stops Working (And How to Fix It)
Struggling to keep your GTD system working?In this GTD Gems episode, Coach Meg Edwards explains how ‘hard edges’ in your system keep your lists and folders distinct, reduce overwhelm, and restore clarity.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 What “hard edges” mean in GTD and why they matter 👉 How to clarify and organize your lists for maximum effectiveness 👉 Real client examples of restoring GTD sy
The GTD Capturing Trap Most People Fall For | GTD Gems
Struggling with what to capture in GTD?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD Coach Meg Edwards explains why you should capture everything that has your attention, even seemingly small or “unimportant” things, and how separating capturing from clarifying and organizing reduces overwhelm.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 👉 The difference between capturing, clarifying, and organizing 👉 How to stop censor
How to Say No With Integrity Using GTD
Struggling to say no without guilt?In this episode of GTD Gems, GTD Coach Meg Edwards explains how a complete, regularly reviewed inventory helps you say no with integrity and say yes to what is most important.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 Why people say yes when they really want to say no👉 How GTD helps you align your yeses and nos with your roles and responsibilitiesTimestamps:00:00 The GT
Why Your GTD Lists Repel You
Your Next Actions list should motivate you to take action, not repel you.In this episode, Meg Edwards explores a key insight from Getting Things Done, Chapter 12: when it comes to next actions, there is no neutral territory. Through real coaching conversations, she explains why even experienced GTD practitioners avoid their lists and how clearer next action thinking changes that.What You’ll Learn
Horizon 2 Explained: Areas of Focus & Responsibility
Your Areas of Focus and Responsibilities are one of the most overlooked parts of GTD and may be the missing link behind unclear priorities and lingering stress.In this episode, Meg walks through where Horizon 2 appears throughout the Getting Things Done book, how it functions as a trigger list, and why reviewing your roles and responsibilities often reveals which projects deserve your attention, e
Where's Your Space?
The three-fold nature of work gives you language for what is already happening in your day so you can tell the difference between defined work, unplanned work, and defining work.In this GTD Gems episode, Meg walks through the three types of work and explains why distinguishing between them creates clarity, focus, and space on your calendar for the unexpected.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:👉 Wha
The Big Secret About My Lists
GTD isn’t about rigid rules or doing everything “the right way.” In this episode, GTD coach Meg Edwards explores why your system exists in the first place: to create freedom, clarity, and space for the things that truly matter in your life.Key Takeaways:👉 The real purpose of lists, Weekly Reviews, and a trusted system👉 Why flexibility and a “good enough” mindset matter more than perfectionTimestam
Returning to the GTD Books
Meg sets the stage for GTD Gems, a year-long series celebrating and reflecting on David Allen’s Getting Things Done books. Drawing on decades of coaching experience, she shares how she’ll explore chapters from Getting Things Done, Ready for Anything, and Making It All Work—focusing on reflection, relevance, and inspiration rather than implementation.Key Takeaways:👉 What the GTD Gems series is and
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