Researchers Show GTD Next Actions Reduce Procrastination

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Bruce Keener

The Economist article Motivating Minds talks about researchers determining that

…. those who were presented with concrete tasks and information responded more promptly than did those who were asked to think in an abstract way. Moreover, almost all the students who had been prompted to think in concrete terms completed their tasks by the deadline while up to 56% of students asked to think in abstract terms failed to respond at all.

Nowhere does the article mention GTD. Or the phrase Next Actions. But, GTD Next Actions is exactly what is meant by “concrete tasks.”

Those of you who have practiced GTD already know the truth of this. Those who haven’t practiced GTD really should look into it … turning your abstract thoughts and fuzzy projects into concrete physical actions will give you a huge increase in productivity, reduce your procrastination, and make you feel much, much better.

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  • Kent Hamlin

    Hi Bruce!!!
    I have an iMac for my home pc (one of many) now…..
    How do I use the iChat to do video conferencing with people who have Vista PCs and now use MSN?

    I heard that Skype might work
    Hope all is well with you!!!
    Kent

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    Hi Kent !!!
    Fantastic to hear from you, and congrats on the iMac … I love mine.

    I’m no help on the video question though, because I have not tried it myself. Like you, though, I’m betting that Skype works. I hear of folks using it and loving it, and it works on the Mac and PC.

    Yup, doing okay, although trying to fight off my annual bronchitis. At least the weather is cooperating, thought the rain that will come in later this week won’t help.

    I hope all is well with you. It is fantastic to hear from you. Looking forward to having some pizza with you guys in the April timeframe.
    All the best (stole that from Jim … good to see that he’s staying on, BTW!)
    Bruce

  • http://sethigherstandards.net Norbert

    That’s exactly what came into my mind when reading the article. How they described GTD without mentioning it at all is another proof that the GTD process works (when you’re actually doing it).