Relaxed focus and control can be achieved, and these methods have helped me out immensely both professionally and personally. I highly recommend learning as much as you can about Getting Things Done (GTD). It has helped me stay sane, and helped me to keep my focus and concentration (although I still have problems with overcommitment and extreme laziness, but I’m getting better at it 
).
I use Linux exclusively, and have implemented GTD using the following systems:
- Linux, Evolution, and the Palm.
- Linux, JPilot, and the Palm.
- More recently, I’m using Tracks for managing my next actions (Here’s my posting on why I switched).
There’s some weird people who use GTD with emacs. I guess emacs CAN do everything.
If you need some more clarification of how to use GTD, there have been some excellent interviews with David Allen and Jason Womack on The Podcast Network. Here’s some links:
- 2005-03-05 The Gadget Show with David Allen.
- 2006-01-03 Cranky Middle Manager Show with David Allen.
- 2006-01-29 The Personal Productivity Show with Jason Womack.
- 2006-02-21 The Personal Productivity Show with the return of Jason Womack.
- Merlin Mann from 43 folders has started up a great series of podcasts with David Allen called “Productive Talk”. Of course, all of the podcasts from Merlin are great, so consider checking them out.
More links to check out:
- David Allen Company
- GTD Times
- 43 Folders (Merlin Mann)
- Excellent resource for how to sharpen your GTD Kung Fu.
