Where the term comes from
From David Allen's 2001 book of the same name.
Why it matters
Two of its ideas have outlasted the rest and are near-universally useful: capture everything externally, and define the concrete next action rather than a vague project name.
The common mistake
Skipping the weekly review. GTD's trustworthiness depends on it, and it is the step most people abandon first — after which the system silently stops reflecting reality.
What it looks like in practice
'Sort out the car insurance' is a project, not a task, which is why it has been on your list for five weeks. The GTD move is writing 'find the renewal letter in the kitchen drawer' — a physical action you could do in the next two minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
What is getting things done (gtd)?
Getting Things Done is David Allen's productivity methodology built on capturing every commitment externally, clarifying the next physical action for each, and reviewing the system weekly.
What's the most common mistake with getting things done (gtd)?
Skipping the weekly review. GTD's trustworthiness depends on it, and it is the step most people abandon first — after which the system silently stops reflecting reality.