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In my Rally class "Finding Time, Making Time", I highly recommend the book Getting Things Done by David Allen https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-D ... hings+done

The principles and procedures in this book of getting things out of your head and into an organized fashion in physical space is gold for us as Songwriters, Composers, etc.

I recommended an Android app, GTD (the one with the green checkmark), as well as checking into Evernote and Trello. The problems I noted in my class with the App, GTD, is that it is WAY involved and rather complicated, as well as that it is not cross-platform and not cloud-based.

I just started using Trello and it is "okay" for keeping track of certain things for workgroups, but as far as integrating into the "Getting Things Done" lifestyle, it is lacking functionality. (similarly, Evernote's organization leaves something to be desired for the same reason)

Well I just found a REALLY excellent App to use. "Nirvana" Nirvana is structured perfectly for the Getting Things Done procedures/lifestyle. It is cloud-based and syncs across all platforms and devices. It is simple to use and easy to understand. It can be found here: https://www.nirvanahq.com/

You can "get started" checking it out with a free account, but the free version is limited to the number of projects and reference categories and etc... However, I find the $39/year subscription very affordable for the value this provides.

Hope this helps
Russell Landwehr

Thanks Russell

Appreciate the info my friend.

gracias!

A different perspective:

I have downloaded almost every to-do app out there, believe me. I have used GTD, Pomodoro, and other methods to manage my time. It is something I constantly struggle with. No system seemed to fit my needs.

Apps I have tried: OmniFocus, Things, Trello, MeisterTask, Momentum, Droptime, Timoo, Flat Tomato, Power Focus, 5217 Pmodoro+, Today, irunrun, swipes, 2do, strides, dayflow, todoist, zippy, wunderlist, begin, gneo, finish. and the list goes on... Man, that is a lot of productivity apps - I have a real problem - always looking for the newest app that will be fun to explore and set up and manage, only to move on to the next one in a couple of months. I have heard it called Productivity Porn, and I get swept up in it pretty easily.

Anyway, I found GTD to time consuming for me. I found that I was spending way more time working on my system than actually working on my music.I know a lot of people like this method. I found it wasn't for me.

I found Pomorodo too restrictive. As soon as I got in the groove, my 25 minutes were up and it was time to take a break. Then it would take me a bit to get back in the groove.....endless circle.

Trello - really great, but again, too much time maintaining the system.

For me, it comes down to this - I don't have that much to keep track of. My life is (thankfully) pretty simple. I am extremely fortunate enough to do music full time. Anything with a due date goes on my calendar. Projects and tasks go into... I have landed on Workflowy. It is a free service (with paid option) that can be tailored to any system you want it to be.

Workflowy strikes that perfect balance of simplicity and getting out of my way. Not a lot of bells and pretty whistles (though it is really powerful) to distract me. If you really like GTD - perfect, you can set up Workflowy to work that way. Need a simple to do list. Workflowy. Need to share with other people, Workflowy has you covered.

If like me, you find that you have a propensity to be distracted easily by every new to-do app, I would suggest you find a system that works for you. One that is easy enough to keep you in line, but not so complicated and feature rich that you spend most of your time working on it and not your music.

Russell - I hope you don't think this is hijacking your thread, or being negative towards you and/or GTD - I know a lot of people that love that system and use it fully and get a lot of, well, things done. Just wanted to share my perspective.

Cheers
kc

Thanks! Nice to meet you at the mentor lunch.

kclements wrote:A different perspective:

I have downloaded almost every to-do app out there, believe me. I have used GTD, Pomodoro, and other methods to manage my time. It is something I constantly struggle with. No system seemed to fit my needs.

Apps I have tried: OmniFocus, Things, Trello, MeisterTask, Momentum, Droptime, Timoo, Flat Tomato, Power Focus, 5217 Pmodoro+, Today, irunrun, swipes, 2do, strides, dayflow, todoist, zippy, wunderlist, begin, gneo, finish. and the list goes on... Man, that is a lot of productivity apps - I have a real problem - always looking for the newest app that will be fun to explore and set up and manage, only to move on to the next one in a couple of months. I have heard it called Productivity Porn, and I get swept up in it pretty easily.

Anyway, I found GTD to time consuming for me. I found that I was spending way more time working on my system than actually working on my music.I know a lot of people like this method. I found it wasn't for me.

I found Pomorodo too restrictive. As soon as I got in the groove, my 25 minutes were up and it was time to take a break. Then it would take me a bit to get back in the groove.....endless circle.

Trello - really great, but again, too much time maintaining the system.

For me, it comes down to this - I don't have that much to keep track of. My life is (thankfully) pretty simple. I am extremely fortunate enough to do music full time. Anything with a due date goes on my calendar. Projects and tasks go into... I have landed on Workflowy. It is a free service (with paid option) that can be tailored to any system you want it to be.

Workflowy strikes that perfect balance of simplicity and getting out of my way. Not a lot of bells and pretty whistles (though it is really powerful) to distract me. If you really like GTD - perfect, you can set up Workflowy to work that way. Need a simple to do list. Workflowy. Need to share with other people, Workflowy has you covered.

If like me, you find that you have a propensity to be distracted easily by every new to-do app, I would suggest you find a system that works for you. One that is easy enough to keep you in line, but not so complicated and feature rich that you spend most of your time working on it and not your music.

Russell - I hope you don't think this is hijacking your thread, or being negative towards you and/or GTD - I know a lot of people that love that system and use it fully and get a lot of, well, things done. Just wanted to share my perspective.

Cheers
kc

Yeah, Kayle, The simpler the better. The app "GTD" is way too complicated and clunky. You can spend more time working the process with an app like that than actually working on the projects. For an "uncomplicated" life, an app may not even be necessary... and also the whole Getting Things Done process could be unneeded. In uncomplicated cases I'll bet a white board alone will keep things organized and flowing.

For the Complicated life like mine... Day-job, Family events, Kids' sports, Kids' musical performances, TAXI Listings, Multiple Library Briefs, Mixing jobs, Mastering jobs, Household repairs, Seminar presentations, continuing education, etc. I'm finding the NirvanaHQ app pretty quick and unobtrusive to use while still having Getting-Things-Done "functionality."

The other purpose of using the "Getting-Things-Done" process is to quiet the clutter in our heads so that we can more easily get into flow and be open to inspiration when creating music.

Russell

I too subscribe to Dave Allen's GTD. I use the software Thinking Rock for it. Been the best time/project management tool for me so far....a real life saver (or mind saver more like). After years of notes, white boards, calendars and every other tool to stay organized, this has finally worked.

http://www.thinkingrock.com.au/

Doug s.