{"id":2408,"date":"2009-12-18T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2009-12-18T17:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gtdtimes.com\/?p=2408"},"modified":"2014-02-03T14:28:40","modified_gmt":"2014-02-03T22:28:40","slug":"paying-attention-to-the-things-that-get-in-our-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gettingthingsdone.com\/2009\/12\/paying-attention-to-the-things-that-get-in-our-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Paying attention to the things that get in our way…"},"content":{"rendered":"

GTD simply emerged after paying attention to the things that get in our way…<\/p>\n

Mr. Allen.<\/p>\n

I am writing to pay a special tribute to my Grandfather \u2013 who passed away last week at the age of 94.\u00a0 He led a good, long life and was successful in many things.\u00a0 He was the first President of Fording Coal and Superintendent of Mines for Comino in British Columbia, Canada.<\/p>\n

I was in Vancouver last week, helping the family with the final tasks that are inevitable after a loved one passes.\u00a0 Now \u2013 for the record, I have read all of your books and personally, have struggled with being successful in the implementation of the full GTD System.One afternoon \u2013 I found myself sitting alone in my Grandfathers room (he had moved into single bedroom in a care facility some months prior).\u00a0 He was, even til the end, very active in his investments and was constantly reviewing portfolios and various other items.\u00a0 I sat in his desk chair and looked around the room \u2013 a room that was setup very much like his office back when he lived in his house \u2013 a room I had been in many times.\u00a0 It was a peaceful moment \u2013 one I am grateful to have.<\/p>\n

As I looked at the surrounding area \u2013 it struck me.\u00a0 I have no idea if Grandpa has ever read your books \u2013 and I mean no offense when I say that I think he had not.\u00a0 However \u2013 many aspects of your system were laid out in front of me.\u00a0 Everything was in an arms length (he could not move quickly\u2026) the filing cabinet was labeled and ready.\u00a0 He did not have label machine, but a stack of blank labels and a pen \u2013 dedicated to the job.\u00a0 The inbox and related system was also within reach.<\/p>\n

As I thought about Grandpa \u2013 he believed in his system \u2013 much the same as you say we must do in the GTD system.\u00a0 He never stressed about missing things \u2013 it was always in his system.\u00a0 I know that he did what is effectively a weekly review meeting \u2013 and I know firsthand that he had a list of projects for each person that would come to visit \u2013 as I was the recipient of that numerous times.\u00a0 I am sure there were differences that he had \u2013 but it seemed to me that he may have been a great disciple in your system\u2026<\/p>\n

When he left \u2013 he was moved to a hospital in a bit of a rush \u2013 so \u2013 there was no time to clean up things, etc.\u00a0 However \u2013 when I looked around at his desk \u2013 I noticed that his inbox \u2013 was empty.\u00a0 Perhaps a final testament to the GTD system.<\/p>\n

I plan to get the GTD System<\/a> package you have \u2013 and make another go of it \u2013 for me and Grandpa.<\/p>\n

Thank you for your time.<\/p>\n

Kevin<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

David’s reply:<\/p>\n

Kevin,<\/p>\n

Such a sweet story! Thanks so much for sharing it with me.<\/p>\n

GTD simply emerged after paying attention to the things that get in our way… so your grandfather was just paying attention!<\/p>\n

All the best,<\/p>\n

David<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GTD simply emerged after paying attention to the things that get in our way… Mr. Allen. I am writing to pay a special tribute to my Grandfather \u2013 who passed away last week at the age of 94.\u00a0 He led a good, long life and was successful in many things.\u00a0 He was the first President … <\/p>\n

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