GTD

Getting Things Done. David Allen's external-system productivity methodology.

Trusted system

In GTD, an external capture and organisation system your brain can rely on instead of holding commitments in working memory.

Open loop

An uncaptured commitment or unprocessed thought that stays in your head consuming background attention.

Deep work

Cal Newport's term for distraction-free, cognitively demanding work that creates real value.

Shallow work

Logistical, reactive tasks that are necessary but do not require deep concentration and are easily replicated.

Time blocking

Scheduling work into specific calendar blocks in advance rather than working reactively.

Eisenhower matrix

A four-quadrant prioritisation tool sorting tasks by urgency and importance.

Inbox zero

A processing discipline where the email inbox is never used as a storage or task system.

Brain dump

The practice of writing every open loop and loose end out of your head into a capture system.

Weekly review

A recurring session to process all open loops and keep the GTD system current.

Energy management

Managing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy alongside time as inputs to performance.

Cognitive switching cost

The time and accuracy penalty incurred each time you switch between tasks requiring conscious attention.