GTD Getting things done

In this brief blog entry you may reference how and why to use a standard ruled pocket size Moleskine notebook in an attempt to create a useful Getting Things Done (GTD) system. While the how will follow this paragraph, the why is equally important. Because the old mantra "mind like water" is an insightful one, the practice is often more difficult then needed. Even if you actively practice the collection of thoughts, ideas, and actions the use of a system maybe be invaluable.
The Tools
Ruled pocket sized Moleskine notebook
Pilot G-2 Pro gel pen
Pilot EXTRA FINE ink refill
Ruler
Post-It sticky tabs
Separation of mental tasks and categories is a must.
What to DoThe first thing I did was divide the Moleskine into the necessary categories. According to Dave Allen, separation of mental tasks and categories is a must. To be included in this system is;* Projects* Calendar* Next Actions* Someday/Maybe* Waiting For* Project Reference (notes)I plan on using this Moleskine for at least one year (plus) so 64'ish leafs are required for a week-at-a-glace calendar, 10+ leafs for projects, and then 20'ish leafs are left over for project support notes.
How to Do ItStarting with the first page, label this Projects + Someday/Maybe. In here I also divided the page in half using a vertical line so that I may record 40 items per/page rather then 20. Like so;
PROJECTS & SOMEDAY/MAYBE... (PG 1-20) LEFT PAGE SPINE RIGHT PAGE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROJECTS SOMEDAY/MAYBE -PROJECTS SOMEDAY/MAYBE
--------- --------- ---------- ---------
[x]publish GTD [ ]visit japan -[ ] [ ]
[x]clean closet [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ]write book [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then count 10 leafs and place a tab for your calendar/next+actions. Here I plotted out a rudimentary calendar system on the left page (Mon-Fri) and a Next Actions (plus sat-sun) chart on the right page. While Each day receives four lines I am only drafting a few weeks in advanced to redefine the system as I go.
CALENDAR AND NEXT ACTIONS (PG 22-126~) LEFT PAGE SPINE RIGHT PAGE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUGUEST 2006 - WEEK33
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ 21 MONDAY }[ ] -{ 26 SATURDAY }{ 27 SUNDAY }
[x]@noon meeting [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
---------------------------------------[ ] [ ]
{ 22 TUESDAY }[ ] ---------------------------------------
[ ] [ ] -NEXT ACTION WAITING FOR
[ ] [ ] ---------------------------------------
[ ] [ ] -[x]visit k-mart [ ]appraisal re bob
---------------------------------------[ ]wash the car [ ]
{ 23 WEDNESDAY }[ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ]@9 call Joel [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ]Joel's BDAY 29[ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
---------------------------------------[ ] [ ]
{ 24 THRUSDAY }[ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
---------------------------------------[ ] [ ]
{ 25 FRIDAY }[ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] -[ ] [ ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What a good way to teach old dogs new tricks or reteach an old dog!