David Allen’s GTD system is built on one core promise: your mind is for having ideas, not holding them. Productivity increases when everything is captured, clarified, organized, and reviewed—freeing the mind for focus, creativity, and calm.

Part 1 — The Art of Getting Things Done

1. A New Practice for a New Reality

Allen argues that modern life creates more commitments than the mind can comfortably hold. The solution is building an external system that captures and processes everything reliably.

“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” ~ David Allen

This quote explains why mental clutter destroys clarity—the brain isn’t built for storage.

2. Getting Control of Your Life: The Five Stages of Mastering Workflow

The GTD method rests on five steps: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, Engage.
When followed consistently, overwhelm transforms into control.

“If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it will take more of your attention than it deserves.” ~ David Allen

Meaning: unmanaged tasks drain energy even when you’re not working on them.

3. Getting Projects Creatively Under Way

Most tasks are actually multi-step “projects.” Allen teaches natural planning—define the outcome, brainstorm actions, organize steps.

“You can’t do a project; you can only do the next action.” ~ David Allen

This principle helps you move forward instead of stalling.

Part 2 — Practicing Stress-Free Productivity

4. Getting Started: Setting Up the Time, Space, and Tools

Allen recommends a dedicated workspace, physical inboxes, and simple tools.
The power is not in complexity, but reliability.

“If it’s not in a trusted system, it’s not off your mind.” ~ David Allen

Trust in the system equals mental freedom.

5. Collection: Capturing Everything That Has Your Attention

Write down, record, or inbox any task, idea, reminder, or worry—everything.
No filtering yet. Just capture.

“Your ability to generate power is directly proportional to your ability to relax.” ~ David Allen

Capturing everything creates calm—which increases power.

6. Processing: Clarifying What Each Item Means

Every item becomes one of:

trash
reference
something to do
something to schedule
a multi-step project

“What’s the next action?” ~ David Allen

This simple question drives clarity and momentum.

7. Organizing: Setting Up the Right Buckets

Projects list, next actions by context, waiting-for list, calendar, reference files.

“The key to managing all of your stuff is managing your actions.” ~ David Allen

Organization works because it focuses on what can be done—not on vague intentions.

8. Reviewing: Keeping Your System Functional

The weekly review is non-negotiable: update everything so your system stays trustworthy.

“The Weekly Review is the critical success factor for clearing your mind.” ~ David Allen

This is the anchor of GTD—integration, not accumulation.

9. Doing: Making the Best Action Choices

Allen introduces the “four criteria” for choosing actions:
context, time available, energy available, and priority.

“You won’t get to the top of the mountain by doing everything at once.” ~ David Allen

Effective action requires selective action.

Part 3 — The Power of the Key Principles

10. The Power of the Collection Habit

When everything is captured automatically, mental bandwidth opens.

“The real secret of personal productivity is that most people have no idea what they’re actually committed to.” ~ David Allen

Capturing reveals the truth about your commitments.

11. The Power of Next-Action Decision Making

Defining the next action breaks procrastination and gives instant momentum.

“You can feel good about what you’re not doing—only when you know what you’re not doing.” ~ David Allen

Clarity creates peace, even when you choose not to act.

12. The Power of Outcome Thinking

Visualizing the desired outcome gives direction, energy, and creativity.

“The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get it.” ~ David Allen

Outcome thinking turns vague hopes into achievable aims.

Core Lesson

GTD isn’t about doing more—it’s about clearing the mind, defining the next step, and directing energy intentionally. When everything is captured, clarified, and reviewed, life becomes calm, controlled, and incredibly productive.

Getting Things Done by David Allen: free book summary