You are so right about the need for having a set of rules to guide us. GTD, implemented properly, will let us get stuff done “despite ourselves.” If you use the rules of GTD properly, it’s darned near impossible to not get stuff done.

While I haven’t been officially diagnosed with ADHD (that would require that I see a doctor ), I sure have some of its symptoms. So, I should find the rules of GTD to be helpful to me, and they have been. One of my problems, though, actually a problem and a blessing, is that I have a bit of a rebellious streak: anytime I see a rule, I ask “why that rule, why is it needed, can I do without it, ….?” In other words, I have this deep internal belief that one can carry rules too far, and that it is ultimately better to think for oneself. This has been a characteristic that has served me well on occasion, and that has screwed me good on others. But, it’s the way I am wired. So, that’s why I rail against a rule every once in a while on this blog: I believe people should question things. Like I said, though, and as you pointed out very clearly, sometimes it’s just better to go with the rules because very often they work.

Anywho, I am rambling now. Too many things on my mind, so I’ll close out by thanking you again.

If we’re using the term “inbox” the same way, then I don’t think we were in agreement. I don’t like to let things I’ve tossed into an inbox (or that arrive in an inbox by their very nature, like e-mail and voicemail) sit unprocessed for more than a day. If my inboxes pile up, I become numb to them and tend to ignore them.

I re-read your post prior to writing this one. One sentence jumped out at me on the second reading: “If it helps give you a psychological boost that you need, similar to how one feels when the desk is finally clean, then it may be worth striving for.”

Okay. Got it. NOW we’re in agreement.

I have ADHD and tend to apply GTD fairly rigorously because I desperately need some sort of external structure (I don’t think that need is unique to ADHDers, but I believe we tend to need it *more*). I sometimes forget that GTD, like anything else, is a system of ideas and guidelines. They may work for some and not for others. I guess it doesn’t matter if you have a running list of 50 unanswered e-mails as long as the 50 you have this week aren’t the same ones you had two weeks ago! The “inbox to zero” approach works for me but that doesn’t mean it is universally needed.

This is one of the reasons I like to come to this blog. Reading your posts often exposes for me assumptions I didn’t know I was making, and once exposed, they can be challenged. You have a (no pun intended) keen and logical mind, and I am grateful to you for sharing your gifts.

I’ll strive to contribute new knowledge in future posts, rather than simply reiterating what you’ve already said (and said better).

A lot of the inputs in my life don’t need to be in-boxed, anyway. Often an idea that comes into my head can be processed instantly, such as when I notice something that needs doing and whip out my PDA to capture it in the appropriate action list.

Many of my in-boxes “quiet down” after hours, like e-mail and voicemail, so I can process those to zero at the end of the day. I also go through my moleskine every night before bed and process any “stuff” I’ve jotted down in there.

I’m not trying to pick an argument. In fact, we may be saying the same thing but in slightly different ways. Still, thought I’d drop by and weigh in.

I have always written things down…so I don’t forget… and then add them to list pro or calendar when I get a chance!