Basic Requirements for Managing Commitments

Taken from David Allen's book: "Getting Things Done" (2001 version)

The Basic Requirements for Managing Commitments (pg 13):

1. 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 all a collection bucket, that you know you 'll come back to regularly and sort through.
   
2. Seoncd, you must calirfy exactly what your commitment is and
   decide what you have to do, if anything. to make progress toward fullfilling it.
   
3. Third, once you've decided on all the actions you need to take you must
   keep reminders of them organized in a system you review regularly.

An important exercise to tet this Model:

• Write down the project or situation that is most on your mind at this moment.
  What most "bugs" you, distracts you, or interests you, or in some other way consumes a large part of your conscious attention?
  e.g. a project or problem that is really "in your face", something you are being pressed to handle, or a situation you feel you must deal with sooner rather than later.
  
• Describe, in a single written sentence your intended successful outcome for this problem.
  What would need to be happen for you to check this "project" off as "done"? It could be as simple as "Take the Hawaii vacation," "Handle situation with customer X,"
  
• Write down the every next physical action required to move the situation forward.
  If you had nothing else to do in your life but get closure on this, wherw would you go right now, and what visible action would you take?
  e.g. would you pick up a phone and make a call? Go to your computer and write an e-mail? Sit down tih pen and paper and brainstorm about it? Talk face-to-tace with your spouse, your secretary, your attorney, or your boss?

Outcome from this exercise:
If you're like the vast majority of peoplw ho complete that drill during my seminars, you'' be experiencing at least a tiny bit of enhanced control, relaxation, and focus. You'll also be feeling more motivated to actually DO something about the situation you've merely been thinking about till now.