What Do You Want?

A Community Contribution from Jim Lindenthal

I truly believe that David Allen’s GTD approach works.  I have been using the GTD approach for almost 5 years and have found that the higher level perspective area is really where the power is.  Specifically around the “Horizons of Focus“.   Over the years I have focused most of my attention on gaining “Control”.  Collecting all my stuff into a “Trusted System” which I constantly review.  As a Delivery Manager and Consultant, I found myself always in the “Implementer/Micro Manager” GTD-Q quadrant, completing my tasks and staying ahead of everyone that is pulling at me.
Years ago, I attended a GTD Making It All Work seminar and found myself asking one of the David Allen coaches, how to define your 50,000′ Purpose.  The coach told me to answer the questions “What do you want?”.   This simple question sprung a lot of thoughts and ideas which I have documented in a MindMap.
Recently I accomplished something extremely important and exciting for me based on answering this simple questions.  What I want is to “Be an adventurer with my 3 boys”.  What our family accomplished on May 14th, 2010 was to visit the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and see the last lift-off of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. How cool is that!!!
Jim is has been a consultant with Keane for 15+ years, primarily working in the field within the New England region.   Jim has been practicing the GTD® approach for over 5 years and has found it extremely helpful in managing both work and life responsibilities and goals.  Outside of work, Jim is married with three young boys and enjoys cooking, skiing and traveling. You can learn more about Jim at http://twitter.com/jlindenthal.

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