PRINT-Zen To Done by Leo Babauta

Leo Babauta's Zen To Done is a minimalist twist on David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD) and Stephen Covey's 7 Habits. It is elegant in its simplicity.

I have read Covey, and I passed on GTD for the most obvious reason. Both systems are overly complex. I can't even remember Covey's 7 Habits much less practice them. Leo cuts through the crap and delivers the goods. I've already started putting ZTD into practice.

The first great tip Leo gives is to get yourself a Moleskine notebook or a Hipster PDA (index cards held in a binder clip.) These paper systems trump anything electronic because you don't need batteries, and they boot up lightning fast.

The Hipster PDA

Using these tools, you put together your To Do list and work it. Babauta recommends having three MIT's or Most Important Tasks to knock out that day. Each chapter has different systems varying in complexity to be adopted to whatever your needs might be. The bottom line is that it is simple.

For me, I use the Moleskine system. I bought a notebook from Walmart and just capture it all in there. I put my To Do items in there, my work schedule, things to remember, and my shopping list. This replaces the scraps of paper in my wallet I am always losing or forgetting about.

Productivity doesn't require a complicated plan. It just needs a simple plan that is executed. It goes back to habits and as Leo will tell you, the best way to establish a habit is one habit at a time.

Minimal ZTD: The Simplest System Possible

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