Success isn’t about everything going according to plan. Instead, it’s about knowing how to perform when the plan changes.
If you’re unsure where you’re going or what’s most important, it’s hard to recognize when enough is enough.
The Three-Fold Nature of Work
One practical way to move out of the “I don’t know what to prioritize” phase appears in Chapter 9 of Getting Things Done. David Allen describes the three-fold nature of work as a method to regain clarity, even on unpredictable days.
At any moment, you are doing one of three things:
- Doing defined work
These are the next actions you have already clarified and organized. This is the work you planned to do. - Doing work as it shows up
Emails, phone calls, requests, and interruptions fall into this category. This is unplanned work that happens in real time. - Defining your work
This involves figuring out what things mean, deciding next actions, and organizing tasks so future choices match what deserves your attention.
Learning to work with reality doesn’t mean fighting interruptions. Rather, it means building enough structure into your system so you can respond effectively without losing perspective.
Next, tune in to Meg’s GTD Gems video, where she explains the three-fold nature of work and why asking, “Where’s your space?” can change how your entire week feels.
Cheers,
The GTD Focus Team
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