David Allen Quotes

Defining “thinking” in its broadest sense to include any kind of focus and imagery held in the mind, in addition to the cognitive process of logic and rational judgment, means that your feelings will typically be more driven by the thoughts you hold than the other way around.

Merely having thoughts is one thing. Consciously feeding them is quite another. You are powerful all the time, by way of your attention and intention. The question is, Toward what are you pointing that power?

What would your ideal exec ass't let you know - & when - & where? That should inform your best #GTD system.

Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior. — Dee Hock

If you figured out why making a list reduces overwhelm & confusion, you'd keep nothing in your head the rest of your life.

We’re never really taught that we have to think about our work before we can do it; much of our daily activity is already defined for us by the undone and unmoved things staring at us when we come to work, or by the family to be fed, the laundry to be done, or the children to be dressed at home.

Over-prepare. Then go with the flow.

At at any point in time, knowing what has to get done, and when, creates a terrain for maneuvering.

Your ability to deal w/surprise is in inverse relation to the amount of your backlog of "stuff".

I've never had to go very far to learn everything I have learned. I just had to care about something & pay attention.

An infinite number of things in the universe are held back from you only by your altitude and attitude.

It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires a great deal of strength to decide what to do. — Elbert Hubbard

[Y]ou must have a clear picture in your mind of what success would look, sound, and feel like.

is magic in being in the present in your life. I’m always amazed at the power of clear observation simply about what’s going on, what’s true. Finding out the exact details of your personal finances, clarifying the historical data about the company you’re buying, or getting the facts about who really said what to whom in an interpersonal conflict can be constructive, if not downright healing.

Reacting is automatic, but thinking is not.