David Allen (author) quotes

First of all, if it's on your mind, your mind isn't clear. Anything you consider unfinished in any way must be captured in a trusted system outside your mind, or what I call a collection bucket, that you know you'll come back to regularly and sort through. (David Allen (author))
Most often, the reason something is "on your mind" is that you want it to be different than it currently is, and yet: you haven't clarified exactly what the intended outcomes is; you haven't decided what the very next physical action step is; and/or you haven't put reminders of the outcome and the action required in a system you trust. That's why it's on your mind.
David Allen (author)
The balance you have between drive and patience may be your master key to success.
David Allen (author)
Your ability to generate power is directly proportional to your ability to relax.
David Allen (author)
Your mind is for having ideas, not for holding them.
David Allen (author)
I suggest that you use your mind to think about things, rather than to think of them. You want to be adding value... not simply reminding yourself they exist.
David Allen (author)
It's hard to say no when you're not aware of everything you've said yes to.
David Allen (author)
GTD supplies the reset button for all parts of life & work.
David Allen (author)
What would you do w/more space, if you had it? Without a good answer, you'll not have the juice to really do #GTD.
David Allen (author)
Things hold your attention hostage until you give them the appropriate attention.
David Allen (author)
Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started. (David Allen (author))
You can fool everyone else, but you can't fool your own mind.
David Allen (author)
Here's how I define "stuff": anything you have allowed into your psychological or physical world that doesn't belong where it is, but for which you haven't yet determined the desired outcome and the next action step.
David Allen (author)
Being in control isn't forceful manipulation but rather highly cooperative engagement w/ what's really going on.
David Allen (author)
There is never enough time to do what you really don't want to do. Time managemet is really value management.
David Allen (author)
When you "have to get organized," you're probably not appropriately invested yet in what you need to get organized for.
David Allen (author)
When you know you'll get email to zero, you're free to deal with the ones you choose, when you choose. Most productive.
David Allen (author)
If you're appropriately engaged w/your life, you don't need more time. If you're not, more time won't help.
David Allen (author)
Eternal #GTD paradox: when you get the principle, the tool doesn't matter. But simultaneosly it matters so much more.
David Allen (author)
If you're already in a mess, you're not free to make one.
David Allen (author)
Does something have your attention because you want it to, or because you're avoiding it? (David Allen (author))
Productivity requires expansiveness & spontaneity as much as structure & control.
David Allen (author)
If u magically had 0 emails, in 10 days you'd be back to what you had. Issue is not volume, but tolerance of backlog.
David Allen (author)
Your ability to deal w/surprise is in inverse relation to the amount of your backlog of "stuff".
David Allen (author)
If you figured out why making a list reduces overwhelm & confusion, you'd keep nothing in your head the rest of your life.
David Allen (author)