The Effects of GTD

GTD is like driving. You learn it over a long period and gradually find the style that suits you. As the saying goes, learn the standard form, then forget it: at first you follow it as written, and later you can change it however feels comfortable.

Even when you tailor it to your own style, the principles of GTD remain. To keep using it for the long term, you need to understand its effects. After all, you can only keep using a methodology if you trust it.

1. The Zeigarnik Effect​ ¹

Work stresses us out more as something we have to do than as something we are actually doing. The capture step of GTD reduces stress by wrapping up your tasks so you can let them go.

2. A Complete Framework

GTD gets criticized for not suiting creative work, among other things, but GTD is a framework that can be applied to any kind of work.

It covers everything from daily routines to things that must be done at set times, tasks to handle ASAP, and long-term projects.

The advantage of a complete framework is that you can adopt it gradually.

It is not a superficial productivity tip of the kind some YouTube video talks about. It is a complete system that can explain everything, so you can apply it partially, tailored to yourself, and raise your proficiency as you go.

Among the parts of GTD worth using on their own, there is the two-minute rule. It says that if a task can be done in two minutes, don't put it off; do it right away. When something comes up, it lets you easily decide whether to defer it or do it now, which makes it a useful yardstick.

It also helps you discover management elements you hadn't thought of in task management, such as using a calendar or tracking items you've delegated and are waiting on.
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It is also much like having a Map of Contents for all of your task management. You won't lose time by learning GTD. That's especially true the younger you pick it up.