inputs/outputs

I’ve been using a Hipster PDA for the past year now, and it’s really helped me implement GTD. Hopefully, this new GTD idea will help other people be a little more productive. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but then again, when are GTD ideas groundbreaking? Advanced common sense, they say.

I brainstormed, and came up with the two most appealing things about GTD/hPDA. If these apply to you, Pockets GTD might just be for you.

• The fact that the entire system fits inside of my pocket. Pen and all. I only have to use the web when I need to text myself a reminder as a designated time, or when I’m using Gcal as a hard landscape. Otherwise, I’m all analog.
• Contexts. I love that I can be in front of a computer and pull out a computer card, go running errands and have an errand card, be at work and have a work card, etc. I don’t want to think about any other context than “work” when I’m at work.

So, out of these two elements, I’ve devised a new system. I call it GTD Pockets. The entire system works like a conveyor belt. Now, it takes a little bit of setting up, but once it’s in place, it doens’t take any real thinking/effort. Here’s how you set it up and how you implement it.

Ingredients:

• 3×5 index cards
• A few rolls of tape (unless your cards have sticky backs)
• A board of some sort which exists in every context you work in
• Pants with left and right pockets
• A small pen that won’t leak
• A calendar (either paper or electronic)
• Recommended: A moleskin cahier

Next, you’ll need to come up with your contexts. These should be actual spaces rather than simple categories. For instance, if you have a workspace at your office, make one context “work,” have your “home” context be your workspace/corkboard/fridge at home. You can get creative. For instance, for my “errands” context, I use my door, since that’s what I see when I’m leaving. I can also use the door for reminder cards like “remember your computer!” This is where the sticky index cards really come in handy. You could also carry a roll of tape, or keep different roles in all of your context areas.

Then, make different sizes of index cards. I find it easier to just buy the same size and cut them into different sizes with scissors. You should make a different size for each context. This might be slightly difficult if you have lots of contexts. I have four, so it’s pretty easy to make distinct sizes. You should make your most popular context the smallest size, and the least popular the largest. Get a small pen too, the Fisher Space pen works a treat. Buy/make a lot of cards to start off with. Maybe 20-30 of each context. This will make the set up last for a while before you have to refresh.

Okay, so now that we’re all set up for GTD Pockets, let’s start implementing.

1. Stack together a pile which consists of your different blank context cards (let’s say 10 per context). Put them in your left pocket in such a way that you can feel the different sizes, and you’re able to pull a context card out quickly and easily. Stick the pen in your right pocket.
2. Whenever you come up with an inbox item, reach into both your pockets, pull out the pen and the correct blank card (you can do it blind since they’re different sizes), and write your item down. Quickly stick the pen and the card into your right pocket. Keep the contexts separate in your right pocket as well.
3. Then, whenever you’re in the right context, you can reach in your right pocket and pull out all the cards that have accumulated for that context, and stick them up on the board. Even if you have sub-contexts, such as your Blog being a sub-context to Work, you can now separate those out on your corkboard.
4. Now, when you’re in your context, all you need to do is look at your wall/fridge/board and see all your next actions and projects displayed visually. As you complete the items, take them down and throw them out. It’s that simple. Every few days, replenish the stack in your left pocket.

How do you handle projects? Simple. Here’s a visual explanation of a context board:

You can how the project steps are placed on the side, grouped together, and on the right are all the next actions. Step 1 of the project is in the next actions panel, and as soon as that’s complete, step 2 will move to the next actions panel.

Moleskine Cahier’s (or any small notebook) are recommended for extra notes, shopping lists, or meeting agendas.

GTD Pockets helps you to really separate the contexts. That way, you’re not thinking about two things at once and getting stressed over multiple lists. For those who like to have all your lists on you at all times, it probably won’t be beneficial. Any suggestions or improvements are welcome.