“GTD” is a common nomenclature for the phrase “get things done”. Mashable’s Cameron Chapman recently published a post containing 100+ Resources for Getting Things Done. GTD Applications often take the form of calender/scheduling software and online to-do lists. GTD applications are designed to allow the users to be more productive while keeping information neatly organized.
These GTD applications range from the standard and free iGTD courtesy of the Apple OS X to a service that will email its user daily reminders, prompts, and follow-up actions to the tasks performed on the previous day. The GTD applications don’t stop with the PC or notebook. GTD applications exist for the BlackBerry user, the iPhone user, and the average cell phone user as well. With Mashable highlighting 100+ in addition to the 50 other that they previously highlighted, it seems that many companies and applications developers have a sincere desire to help people get things done.
When the GTD applications and technology are compared to an everyday lifestyle, one would think that the integration of such tools would be necessary and helpful. On the contrary, using GTD applications is a waste of time. I am always amazed when people use technology, (claiming it is faster and more efficient), to take 10 minutes longer to do something it took me 2 minutes to do. I use the old-fashioned GTD applications called PostIt Notes, To-Do Lists, and pens and paper. In the time it takes a user to log into the GTD application, construct a list and prioritize it, I can have my daily plans laid out and my appointments made. GTD developers have the best of intentions, and many people use these services claiming it helps them. Perhaps it does, but I am content knowing that I can GTD faster without GTD applications.
For the best of intentions, variety, price (most are free), and good usability of most applications GTD apps. grab an 8/10. The lifestyle integration score is a bit lower at a 5/10 citing the waste of time, innefficiency of a few apps., and the actual helpfulness factor coming in far lower than the percieved helpfulness factor. This leaves GTD applications with a Techsplosive score of:
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