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The Mainstreaming of Getting Things Done

20 Aug

Remember bands like Phish and Guster?  With cultlike following, these
musicians travelled each summer to the delight of thousands of fans. 
Their appeal was almost mystical and while devotees couldn't pinpoint
the exact moment of attraction, they would travel far and wide to see
them in concert. 

Then, quietly, something happened.  They went mainstream.

So
too with David Allen and Getting Things Done.  Don't misread me- I'm
not lamenting this.  Only putting words to the obvious- GTD is going
mainstream.  Consider the following as noted in a recent article in Business Week:

  • The David Allen Company is now an $8 million enterprise
  • Allen's third book will come out in December of '08 and is sure to be a smashing success
  • Big box stores like Staples will soon be selling DAC co-branded products
  • The GTD Global Summit will most likely become huge success in March of '09, much like the TED conferences have become for creative and design folks

None
of this is a bad thing.  In fact, it's probably a natural progression
from the early days of GTD. It does however mean that GTD will no
longer be a fringe band like Phish and Guster.  As the start-up "feel"
of GTD evaporates, practitioners will have to maintain its raw and
timeless spirit- get it out of your head, tools matter but not so much
as habits, what's the next action, etc. 

Time
will tell as to how GTD shakes out over the next few years.  The 7
Habits of Stephen Covey morphed into a line of products and moderately
successful stores but now seems so mid '90's.  Will GTD stand the test
of going mainstream?  As they say, time alone will tell.

 
6 Comments

Posted in GTD

 

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  1. Jennifer

    August 20, 2008 at 10:04 am

    If GTD’s mainstreaming can get more of my coworkers to adopt its methods, I’m all for it! :)

     

  2. J. Rider

    August 20, 2008 at 11:13 am

    Difference is David Allen may have at one time been the kind of guy that would go to a Phish and Guster concert…Covey never would have. GTD has cooler DNA…

     

  3. ProductivityScience

    August 21, 2008 at 11:36 am

    I agree with you. I made some research on the subject and it looks like GTD really becomes mainstream now, and even more – it substitutes Time Management popularity!
    Read More here: http://productivity-science.com/blogen/post/Is-it-true-that-GTD-becomes-mainstream-Time-Management-approach.aspx

     

  4. Mike St. Pierre

    August 21, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Jennifer and J Rider: thanks for your comments. I could definitely see DA at the drink booth at a Phish concert.

    Stop back often,
    Mike

     

  5. David Allen

    August 24, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Well, IMHO, if GTD has to pass through the “mainstream” cauldron in order to have your kids think this way by the time they’re twelve, so be it.

    And, you all have my permission to slap me around whenever the flame loses its heat.

    And you probably don’t even remember Tim Hardin’s ballad about misty roses…

    Thanks for the chat…

    David Allen

     

  6. Mike St. Pierre

    August 28, 2008 at 5:28 am

    David,

    Thanks for stopping by The Daily Saint! We’ll keep you honest as long as you keep holding the bar high as you have been. GTD makes a difference, I tell people and I believe it.

    Best,
    Mike