Write Better GTD “Next Actions”
An easy but effective way to improve your GTD system is to make sure your next actions are worded such that they describe the next physical act you must perform — not an abstract notion related to the action.For example: Rather than “Make sure Bob knows the dolphin is really a robot”, use “Call Bob and warn him about the robo-dolphin.”
See the difference? “Make sure bob knows the dolphin is really a robot” is too vague. “Making sure” isn’t an action you can take. You may “be sure” after you’ve taken some action, but “making sure” itself isn’t something you can do.
In contrast, “Call bob and warn him about the robo-dolphin” is a concrete, physical action. Pick up that phone and call him.
When I review my lists, I keep an eye out for these vague, non-action phrasings and replace them. For instance, I frequently — in my haste — add next actions that are just things. Like, “subcontractor agreement”, or “printer ink”, or “robo-dolphin.” None of those are physical actions I can perform, so I replace them with better phrasing: “Email subcontractor agreement to Bob”, “Go to Ink-o-Rama and buy printer ink”, and “Activate and release evil robo-dolphin.”
Er, I mean “Call Bob and warn him about the robo-dophin.” Yes… that’s it. Warn. Must warn Bob…
[Note: This article originally appeared in one of my other blogs earlier this year. I'm up to my eyeballs in preparations for my move, so I'm saving a bit of time by re-using this. But don't worry; the info is still timely. Have a great weekend!]