{"id":9874,"date":"2020-06-28T19:40:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-28T23:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=9874"},"modified":"2020-06-28T21:26:10","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T01:26:10","slug":"gtd-organize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/gtd-organize\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is GTD “Organize”? Your Complete Guide to Step 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the GTD “organize” step, and how will it help you with the Getting Things Done system? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GTD “organize,” or Step 3 in the Getting Things Done system, will empower you to take everything you know you have to do, and actually start organizing it. GTD organize discusses the practical ins and outs of organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is GTD Organize?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve clarified what you need to do with each item, it\u2019s time to physically sort them in your organizing system. You should now have an empty in-tray and two piles: a pile of reference items<\/strong> and a Pending pile.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll use GTD organize by placing your Pending Pile items in the following places (discussed in more detail below): <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Projects list<\/li>
  2. Project support material folder <\/li>
  3. Waiting For list<\/li>
  4. Someday\/Maybe list<\/li>
  5. Tickler file<\/a><\/li>
  6. Calendar actions\/information<\/li>
  7. Next Actions list<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Your lists can be numbered lists (on paper or in digital form) or can be folders of papers labeled with separate items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As you organize, keep in mind that although you threw away some items during Step 2, you might still come across items that, upon further consideration, you decide you don\u2019t need. Trash them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You won\u2019t\u2014and probably shouldn\u2019t\u2014crystallize your organization system when you first get the Getting Things Done program<\/a> up and running. Your organization system needs to reflect what works best for you, and that will take time and some trial and error to figure out.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now let\u2019s take a closer look at each category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reference Materials <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Start with your reference pile. Your general-reference file holds information that is critically important and vastly diverse. In order for your general-reference information to be useful, your organization must be simple and easily navigable.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Follow these guidelines to effectively use GTD organize general-reference materials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Base it on how accessible you need certain information to be. Make information you need frequently easily accessible, perhaps on your cell phone, while documents you only need at work can be filed in your office. <\/li>
    2. Do what works for you. Try different systems <\/strong>(paper-based or digital) and customize them to your needs. <\/strong>You won\u2019t know what works until you start using a system. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      There are multiple locations where you can keep your general-reference material, based on the content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n