Motivational GTD Contexts
Like many people I’m a fan of David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) organisation and productivity system. However it’s not quite perfect for me - fortunately it’s flexible enough to be personalised.
The problem I have is with “Context”, and from what I’ve read I’m not the only one. The idea of the Context is a good one that probably works well in a traditional office. It might be a place you need to be (eg client site or broom cupboard) a person you need to see (eg boss or someone important) or an object you need to have (monthly sales figures, key to stationery cupboard, etc). This model doesn’t work so well for those of us who work at home for ourselves. My main conext for the day is simply “Mac”. I’ve tried splitting this into things like “Mac: research”, “Mac: email”, “Mac: fun” etc but this feels like a fudge.
I could just drop the idea of context completely, however most of the GTD software tools out there support it so it seemed more sensible to try and make some use of it.
The idea I’m currently experimenting with is that of using the context system to represent “Roles”. These are ways I see myself, either as I am or as I’d like to be. They cover my entire life - activism, socialising, hobbies, etc - not just work. Non-work examples on my list might (or might not) include “Master Magician, “Perfect Parent”, “Sexy Superstud” etc.
As you can see I like to use exaggeration, humour and alliteration for the role names. That’s not essential but I find it helps me remember them. It also reminds me not to take myself too seriously - life is supposed to be fun.
What’s the point of these except for filing purposes? Motivation. Now, whenever I see a task it’s associated with a role about which I feel positively. It also means I can easily say to myself “This weeend I’m going to concentrate on my role as Singing Superstar”. The result is a constant reminder not just of what I need to do but also why I want to do it.
Given the task “Clean bathroom” which context would you find more motivating: “@Housework” or “Romantic Romeo” / “Seductive Siren”?
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