Tori Uncensored

After my first attempt at Getting Things Done (GTD), I took what I needed from it and moved on. At the time, the framework wasn’t quite the right fit for me, and I didn’t feel the need to force it.

Revisiting GTD – Making It Work for Me

Over time, I found myself returning to GTD with fresh eyes. I re-read the book, but this time, rather than feeling overwhelmed, I focused on implementing only the elements that actually worked for me.

During this period, I had just discovered audiobooks a way to keep me company on my long drives down to Slough. Listening to GTD while driving allowed me to absorb the concepts gradually, without feeling pressured to implement everything at once.

Hearing the framework explained helped me recognise which elements I could tailor to fit my workflow, rather than trying to follow the system rigidly.

And now, after 4–5 years of refinement, GTD has evolved into a system that supports my workflow rather than controls it.

Why GTD Worked the Second Time Around

This time, rather than seeing GTD as a strict set of rules, I saw it as a flexible framework one that could evolve with me instead of demanding rigid structure.

✔ Next Actions Became My Guiding Principle – I stopped worrying about perfect task categorisation and instead focused on the very next step I needed to take. This shift removed friction and made everything feel more manageable.

✔ Delegation Used to Feel Irrelevant But Not Anymore – At first, GTD’s concept of delegation didn’t quite fit my workflow. While I work within a team on projects, the tasks I handle aren’t typically ones that can be passed along they’re part of my specific role.

✔ Now, I’ve Integrated My Family into the Workflow – Over time, as my kids have grown, I’ve found ways to delegate household tasks, making certain responsibilities more manageable.

✔ Balancing Personal & Work Tasks with Delegation – While my work still requires individual focus, at home, I’ve started seeing GTD-style delegation as a way to share the load, giving me more space for focused work.

✔ I Built the System to Work With My Energy Levels – GTD thrives on consistency, but my energy fluctuates. Instead of forcing rigid check-ins, I created flexible review moments that kept things moving forward without draining me.

GTD’s Horizons of Focus – A Game Changer

Beyond task management, GTD isn’t just about getting things done it’s about aligning actions with long-term vision. Once I understood the Horizons of Focus, GTD finally felt personal, instead of mechanical.

How I Apply the Horizons of Focus

✔ Ground Level (Tasks & Actions) – Managed through Microsoft To Do, where I track my daily tasks and prioritise based on next actionable steps. I check and update this weekly.

✔ Level 1 (Projects) – Tracked via OneNote, where I organise my projects with notes, action lists, and deadlines. Reviewed monthly to ensure things stay on track.

✔ Level 2 (Areas of Responsibility) – Balanced across work, home, blog, and personal goals in a structured quarterly review, making sure I’m not neglecting key life areas.

✔ Level 3 (Goals & Objectives) – I map out my goals inside OneNote, breaking them into actionable phases and tracking notes and reflections. These get checked every quarter to assess progress and alignment.

✔ Level 4 & 5 (Vision & Purpose) – Reflection journals and mind-mapping exercises help me stay connected to my long-term vision. I revisit this yearly, aligning everything with where I want to go.

✔ Outlook for Scheduling & Time Management – Used to manage appointments, meetings, and structured time-blocking, ensuring I dedicate time to key responsibilities. Integrated into weekly and monthly reviews for consistency.

Future Posts & Checking Cycles

I’ll be referencing these Horizons across future posts, diving deeper into how they shape my workflow and the tools I’ve refined for each level. I’ll also share insights on how I structure my check-ins, ensuring tasks get weekly reviews, projects monthly, goals quarterly, and vision yearly—so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

Final Thoughts: Making GTD Work for You

Productivity isn’t about following someone else’s framework perfectly it’s about adapting systems in a way that supports your workflow, your mindset, and your reality.

✔ GTD didn’t work for me at first—but that didn’t mean it wasn’t valuable.

✔ I learned to adjust the system rather than forcing myself to match its structure.

✔ The Horizons of Focus helped GTD move beyond task management into something more strategic and meaningful.

Now, GTD is no longer something I struggle to implement it’s just how I naturally plan and take action.

💬 Have you adapted GTD or another productivity system to better fit your life? Let’s chat in the comments!