354: Middle of Horizons

How do you manage the big stuff that sits between your projects and your higher horizons? We kicked around initiatives, job searches, and whether you really need more hierarchy in your system or just a clearer view of the one you have. We share what works for us, from simplified areas of focus to a flower exercise. Enjoy!

Resources from the call:

• Making It All Work: Winning the Game of Work and the Business of Life by David Allen (Amazon)

• What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles (the source of the flower exercise) (Amazon)

• OmniFocus

• ChatGPT

• Evernote

Download the podcast here!

349: Finishing the Year Strong

Finishing the year strong isn't just a work thing. In this episode, prompted by Christine's topic, we talk about closing out the year well, both professionally and personally, and get into where GTD® draws the line between projects and the ongoing routines that never quite end. We also dig into layering new habits one at a time instead of overhauling everything at once. Enjoy!

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332: New Years Resolutions, GTD-Style

Do you make new year's resolutions? OK, so we know they never seem to work. But what if we applied GTD to our new goals. What would that look like? GTD actually turns out to be the secret weapon. We deep dive into this topic. Lots of great stuff! Enjoy!

Download the podcast here!

331: Year Ahead Planning

As one year ends and another begins, we look at reconnecting and reengaging with our higher horizons. A really great episode on developing our goals and why. A great reminder at this time of year. Enjoy!!

Resources from the call:

• Focus On This podcast

• 2-3 goals per quarter

• Smarter Goals

• Find Your Why

Download the podcast here!

327: Ask the VSG

We had a number of topics come up before the call, and rather than decide on just one, we decided to do an "Ask the VSG" and touch on them all. We start with looking at what a weekly review looks like, then talked a bit using GTD to help establish routines, followed by revisiting higher horizons and even a little project planning. Enjoy!

Resources from the call:

• GTD® Weekly Review Checklist

• Nirvana

• Evernote

• 25 Productivity Tips by Augusto Pinaud

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Power of Habit, The by Charles Duhigg

Download the podcast here!

320: Defining the Higher Horizons

Projects, Actions, and even Areas of Focus and Responsiblity are pretty easy to define. The higher horizons, not so much. In this episode, we talk about the higher horizons, how we've developed them, and how we use them to guide our life's work. Definitely a great listen if you're struggling with the higher horizons... and just know that we all have, so you're not alone!

Resources from the call:

• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

• Making It All Work by David Allen

• Ready For Anything by David Allen

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Riuz

• Mazlow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The by Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Download the podcast here!

305: Journaling

Journaling can add a whole new dimension of introspection for our systems. We look at journaling from many angles in this episode. Such a great listen! Enjoy!

Resources from the call:

• DayOne

• Evernote Journaling

• Carl Pullein Journaling

• Bullet Journal

• Journal Prompts:

• Full Focus Planner

• James Clear Annual Review prompts

• Rocketbook

• 18 Minutes by Peter Bregman

• Marshall Goldsmith Six Questions

• Gratitude journaling

• HBR article - We Make More Virtuous Choices When Using Pen and Paper

• Guided GTD Weekly Review® prompts with Meg Edwards

• Silk + Sonder - daily journaling audio

• The Life Organizer by Jennifer Louden

• The woman’s comfort book by Jennifer Louden

Download the podcast here!

289: Year End Planning

A deep dive into Annual Reviews -- the good, the bad, the ugly.😉 Enjoy!!

Resources from the call:

• James Clear Method

• Bonus find: James Clear Habit Journal

• "Clean Sweep Program” checklist

• SMART Goals

Download the podcast here!

271: Tactics to Deal with Overwhelm

We talk about dealing with overwhelm in this episode. Not just system or task overwhelm, but everything from a higher level perspective. This one is juicy and goes a little deep. Enjoy!

Resources from the call:

• Cal Newport

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Quitter app

• RescueTime app

• 25 Productivity Tips by Augusto Pinaud

Download the podcast here!

266: Quarterly Planning

In this episode, the GTDVSG discusses the value of quarterly planning for our GTD systems and the impacts for both higher horizons and daily tasks. You just may be inspired!

Resources from the call:

• Cal Newport

• What is it now and what do I want it to be?

• SMART goals

• Healthy lifestyle

• The 12-Week Year by Brian Moran

• Tim Ferriss

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud

• Now Habit, The by Neil Fiore, PH.D

• Making It All Work by David Allen

Download the podcast here!