David Allen (1945)
Philosophy/Focus
David Allen focuses productivity on managing tasks efficiently, and not necessarily on getting them done. He focuses on how to organize and manage responsibilities to free the mind and reduce stress. His philosophy lies in the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’.
Impact & Influence
Allen’s GTD methodology has had a profound impact on time management and personal and business productivity. His holistic approach has been adopted by professionals in many fields, from entrepreneurs to students to creatives. His work has influenced a new wave of thinking about productivity and has been foundational to many other productivity systems and tools.
Bio Snapshot
David Allen is a productivity consultant and best-selling author, known for creating the time management method known as “Getting Things Done”.
David Allen began his career in the 1980s as a management consultant and productivity coach.
Key Quotes
“You can do anything, but not everything.”
David Allen
“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s there are few.”
David Allen
Notable Works
Creation of the Getting Things Done (GTD) personal productivity system.
Development of a 5-step process for organizing tasks, projects and commitments.
Introducing the concept of “inboxes” to capture information and reminders
Promotion of the weekly practice of “emptying” to process and organize to-do tasks
Formulation of the “next action steps” methodology to move forward on projects and goals
Creating lists with different time horizons as a way to prioritize activities
Design of a flexible and customizable productivity approach, published in the book Getting Things Done (2001)