Show Notes
Most of us are carrying a lot more tasks than we realize. And it's slowly ruining our focus.
Justin Hale, co-author of Crucial Accountability, is joined by David Allen, author of Getting Things Done and founder of the David Allen Company, to discuss the overcommitment problem we face today. Justin and David discuss why so many of us tend to take on more than we can handle, and what it takes to say no without feeling bad about it. They draw on research from 1,300 professionals to share how overloaded an average person’s to-do list is and how the idea of “being helpful” to others is actually impairing our ability to focus on the things that matter most.
David introduces his GTD (Getting Things Done) approach, which centers around clearing your head and organizing your commitments. Together, Justin and David walk through a mind sweep exercise to help show the number of things your brain can actually carry at one time. With this concept, they give some tips on how to respectfully say no when your plate is too full to take on any more.
Chapters [Start] Welcome & Introductions: Justin and David introduce themselves and share the past work experience they have with each other. 07:51 The Overcommitment Research: David shares research on how many tasks people are juggling, and the top five reasons people say yes instead of no. 13:04 Presence as a Productivity Skill: A look at the links between managing one’s attention, being distracted, and performing well under pressure. 18:16 How to Say No: Two tips to help you say no in the appropriate circumstances, and a mind dump exercise to help with distractions. 32:00 Audience Q&A: How to connect with David and Justin, and some of their answers to real listener questions.
Links and ResourcesCrucial Learning Getting Things Done Course Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen Connect with David Allen:Twitter/X Getting Things Done® - David Allen's GTD® Methodology Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity | Book by David Allen Connect with Justin Hale:LinkedIn Facebook Learn more about Justin Hale here. Learn more about David Allen here.
The Crucial Skills Podcast is brought to you by the authors and experts at Crucial Learning, home of Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue and Crucial Conversations for Accountability training.
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