April 2, 2008
GTD: Airplane Mode
I’ve been pushing myself to be more productive during my work hours, especially since I now have two days of the week where I watch my boys. Since I often work from home and am usually alone most of the day I have found services such as AIM & Twitter keep me from going insane. I am very much a people person so these services really help me enjoy my work more. I not only use these services socially but I also find myself getting a lot of feedback and work help over AIM and twitter.
But, with most things, there are negatives to these otherwise good things. The biggest one is obvious. They can be really distracting to productivity. These social services, combined with the RSS Feeds (NetNewsWire is my reader of choice), my iPhone and E-Mail, often get the best of me and zap my work flow.
So, I’m taking on a new practice during days when I really, really need to focus. I am calling it “Airplane Mode.”
That means…
- The iPhone is off.
- E-Mail is off.
- AIM is off.
- Twitter is off.
- RSS Feedreader is off.
- And, if i am not needing to be online, the wireless connection is off
…Just like I am in an airplane. The only thing that is on my computer is some good tunes. I tried this today for a bit and it was amazing how well it worked.
I am not sure about you, but when I have my lap top on airplane I get a whole heck of a lot done. While I can’t totally duplicate this, it’s a good step forward for me. (In fact, my desk is a whole heck of a lot more comfortable than those stinking airplane seats!)
04.2.08
By: Zach
The only thing I ever accomplish on an airplane is acquiring a massive headache.
That said, this sounds like a great strategy for days when you need to buckle down.
04.2.08
By: john chandler
Dang.
I opened up NetNewsWire while in the midst of taking a break from writing.
Thanks for the guilt.
04.3.08
By: Chris Pallé
Love it. Hedging yourself. ;-)
I’ve been contemplating the same thing actually.
Lately, my thing has been figuring out GTD system. Would love to chat with you about your experiences. Which days will you be “flying” so I know when not to expect you? :-)
Thanks for the thoughts, Todd.
04.4.08
By: ed c
I’m all in favor of turning off the internet router. If I didn’t turn off the internet, I would have never written a book and I would have missed a lot of walks in the evening with my wife!
04.8.08
By: Todd
Ed, i hear you on that. There are many things I have never done or have put off for way too long because of this dang internet thing.
05.10.08
By: Airplane Mode — In the Coracle
[...] Todd says: So, I’m taking on a new practice during days when I really, really need to focus. I am calling it “Airplane Mode.” [...]
05.24.08
By: Dan
For implementing GTD you might try out this web-based application:
Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version is available too.
As with the last update, now Gtdagenda has full Someday/Maybe functionality, you can easily move your tasks and projects between “Active”, “Someday/Maybe” and “Archive”. This will clear your mind, and will boost your productivity.
Hope you like it.