“Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behaviour. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behaviour.” — Dee Hock
I’m reading David Allen’s Getting Things Done book and this quote really stuck out at me. Totally true. I know a few people to whom the latter belongs to.
Anyways, this is a really good book. I’ve already gotten some fantastic ideas from it and am already shifting my way of thinking, and I’m only 1/4 through the book. I’ve been trying to ascribe to the GTD “methodology” through the use of GTD-related software, but I have yet to turn it into a lifestyle.. so far it’s been nothing more than a few bits and pieces here and there, mostly relating to my work with Mandriva which has really had the advantage of keeping me and getting me focused. Of course the GTD “methodology” could be used everywhere — from work, other hobby projects, and personal life too. I’m always looking for ways to be more efficient and by reading this I’m seeing what I’ve been doing wrong, what I could be doing better, etc. Really good stuff. I plan to read it through once then go back with my highlighter once I’ve got the overall concept so I can really amplify the parts I struggle with and really need to have sink in.
Anyways, highly recommended. Even if you think you’re efficient now (and you could very well be), there’s always remove for improvement and doing things better/faster/easier should be an aspiration for anyone who has less time than they’d like (and who among us can honestly say we have enough time for everything we want to do?).