G.T.D Actions In The Moment (Four-Criteria Model)

When you have numerous tasks to complete but cannot seem to decide which to move forward with David Allen suggests in his book Getting Thing’s Done using what is referred to as the four-criteria model for choosing actions in the moment.

David Allen describes these four criteria in the following way;

“The first three describe the constraints within which you continually operate, and the fourth provides the hierarchial values to ascribe to your actions” Page 53, Chapter 2.

1) Context – What is your capability at this time?  Do you require a specific location or item to complete any if the tasks? This first factor will help narrow down your list of what you are able to do in the moment.

2) Time Available – How much time do you have? Have you anything planned which limits the time you have available?  This will futher narrow down the list removing any tasks that would take longer than the time you have available.

3) Energy Available – How much energy do you have? some tasks require a lot more physical or mental energy than others and you may not be up to them. Now you can remove tasks you don’t have the energy for I.e cleaning the car but your full of flu, it maybe better to sort the paperwork instead.

4) Priority – Now you can prioritise the remaining tasks on the list. This will be down to your judgement, what you feel is the most to least important. Start by completing the most important task first.

So there you have it. I find this is a great little model and I keep the prompts of it in both my Everyday and Blog planners as I frequently have many tasks to do and no idea where to start.

It really does help reduce procrastination and boost focus.

Thanks for reading.

The Stationery Geekette x