Creating a network of GTD’ers in your organization

People ask us all the time how to get GTD to stick in their organization. Here’s a great testimonial for how to build a network of GTD’ers:

David,

Just a quick note to let you know my company is still employing GTD and getting better at it! We conversed a few years ago about a group we created at my business for people to implement and be accountable for creating their systems and establishing the habit of the Weekly Review…

Well…I am pleased to say we are still doing it! And, we resurrected the group again in January, and this time there are 12 participants (voluntary of course). I wanted to let you know some of the successes and insights we have had during this session.
Several people who had been in the prior courses are in it again. Many of these people who didn’t quite get to full implementation, I am pleased to say, now are really getting it! One of the company’s biggest offenders (I use this term in good spirits) now proudly boasts he keeps his inbox empty on a regular basis, and boldly shares how powerful the Weekly Review is to the newcomers.

Many old-timers (again, in the fondest meaning possible—especially because I am one of them!) are finding the group to be useful to boost their systems and get fresh insight on ways to make their programs better.

We created a simple e-mail Blog too that let’s people share their successes and frustrations with the rest of the group. Many people have chosen to screen-shot their inbox to show the others how it is now empty. One new person in the group had over 12,000 emails in his inbox prior to beginning the group!

We have people phone conferencing in from their home offices in various places throughout the country too…

The group lasts for 10 weeks, and we started it just after the first of the year—which I found really taps into peoples desire to start the year off with a clean slate. The group is completely voluntary, and I sent out announcements to the company a month in advance, as well as several times just before—encouraging them to just show up, with no expectation that they have to do everything that we are doing. The only requirement really is to commit to being a part of the group for the entire 10 weeks. We even opened it up to family members and friends, of which my sister is a part of the group.

Many of us have purchased OmniFocus and have found it to be a really great tool. I even bought a new Mac because I wanted to fully utilize my iPhone and OmniFocus…Obviously everyone in the group purchased a copy of your book too:)

I just wanted to share our progress with you. It seems like yesterday I sat in my office over Valentines day and did my first mind dump. Since then, which has to be at least 7 years ago, I am still utilizing GTD and it keeps getting better and better! The old days of being unclear and feeling out of control seem like a distant, faint memory. It feels even better to be supported by so many people close to me at my company. And, I am so excited for all the participants in the group! For them personally, because I know how powerful this stuff is, and for our company because I know how much more effective and ultimately profitable we will become as a result of it!

Thanks again for your support David!

Michael Goldberg

You’ll find more on creating a GTD culture, with input from David Allen, the Coaches and members, in our GTD Connect members-only Forums.