Comments on: Review: Ready for Anything

By: Getting Back To GTD Basics In The New Year - Practical advice on personal development, productivity and GTD

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:14:10 +0000

[...] look at it. I’m currently working my way through one of David Allen’s other book, Ready For Anything, and I think it covers many points GTD didn’t discuss so well. As a result certain [...]

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:17:16 +0000

Janifer,
From what I see, the book doesn’t talk about specific tools to use, it just talks about the principles. But yes, we need to adapt the method to our condition.

By: Janifer Leacrane

Janifer Leacrane — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:35:53 +0000

The books are useful, if only you do implement the method. I don't think you have to follow all the processes discribed in the book. Just do what fits your inner productivity system. For example, some people use paper and pencil, others run GTD on the web.

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:25:10 +0000

Annie,
Yes, #32 is also one of my favorites. It clearly takes the focus back to the most important thing: getting things done. Spending time and energy on the system means less time and energy are available for the real work.

James,

…am surprised it doesn’t get more coverage in relation to GTD and productivity.

That also surprises me. There are many articles on GTD implementation, but strangely not many of them mention Ready for Anything.
By the way, I just knew from you that David Allen is going to publish a new book (”Making It All Work”). It must be very interesting :)

By: James @ Organize IT

James @ Organize IT — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:43:47 +0000

Good review, persuaded me to finally get the book. I’ve scanned through it before in shops and am surprised it doesn’t get more coverage in relation to GTD and productivity. Looking forward to reading David Allen’s next book!

By: Annie

Annie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:06:58 +0000

Great review. Almost all the GTD info and concepts I’ve picked up have come from this site. Maybe it’s time I read the book…
Then I could read this book too, which sounds so helpful. I love the ideas from the “Relax and Get In Motion” section, but my favorite is #32: “The effectiveness of your system is inversely proportional to your awareness of it” Wow. What a great way to put it! I’ve long been a fan of simplifying my systems (though I’m not always successful in it) and I know that the simple, intuitive systems actually work while the complex, how-do-i-do-this-again?-type systems never do.
Thanks for the review!

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:28:37 +0000

Ramesh,
I agree that we should read GTD first before Ready for Anything. The benefits won’t be as much if we haven’t read GTD.
Your idea of implementing one chapter for one week is interesting.

Marc and Angel, Anand, Avani,
Glad you like the review. If you like GTD, I think Ready for Anything won’t disappoint you :)

By: Avani Mehta

Avani Mehta — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:25:34 +0000

Great review. I am ready to buy ‘Ready for Anything’. :)

By: Anand Dhillon

Anand Dhillon — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:08:48 +0000

Thanks for the review. I love the concepts in GTD and have drastically increased my productivity. I will definitely check out Ready For Anything soon.

By: Marc and Angel Hack Life

Marc and Angel Hack Life — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:07:59 +0000

Thanks for the well written review. I just finished GTD, so I think I may have to go pick up Ready for Anything. ;-)