There is a powerful feeling that comes with being needed, but few of us are irreplaceable. I believe that most of us implement the principles of GTD because we’re driven; there is so much more we want to accomplish, that we know we should accomplish, and with GTD’s help we can accomplish.
So the hidden temptation when we first begin to get better control of our life is to fill our calendar to capacity.
GTD has helped me discover that there are limitations to my capacity. Sometimes, I do too much. I do it because I want to change the world, but I’m not indispensable, irreplaceable, or impervious to human frailty. And if my calendar becomes too full, my GTD system begins to grind to a halt.
There are times when the most productive thing you can do is leave some big empty spaces in your calendar. Take a couple of days off work, or a couple of hours, plan to simply do nothing, take a walk with someone you love, or visit one of your favorite bookstores.
It is simply essential to plan some unplanned time in the hard landscape of your calendar. Set aside some time with no appointments scheduled, no projects planned. Allow yourself to fall asleep in the middle of an afternoon, or to make a decision in the moment that produces a restful mind and body. You may feel like you’re wasting time, but you’re really charging the batteries of your GTD system.
As we wind through the holiday season, schedule some big empty spaces for yourself. Create some calm in your life.
For most of us, this is the first step to greater productivity.
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