Confessions of a Switcher

Do you ever get that feeling? It starts with an innocent seeming blog post or tweet touting the newest feature of one application or another. You’re intrigued. That particular update is definitely worth a look. Suddenly, instead of completing that high priority task, you’re three mouse clicks down the line reviewing software on the web.

But it’s worse than that. You’re not just wasting time now, you’re in jeopardy of wasting a LARGE chunk of time in the near future. You’ve looked at this new tool and your mind is racing. You start having thoughts like, “Would this be better than my current setup? Is an online tool better than a local client? Does it integrate with Twitter?” Suddenly, you’re considering that biggest danger of all—The Switch.

You begin weighing the benefits of your current tool (A) versus the new/updated tool (B). Which would really fit your work style better? And from nowhere, option C comes a knocking. You’ve looked at C before and have always been intrigued—it has some sweet integration features. SInce you are now considering The Switch, you might as well evaluate all the options. Now you’ve got to do some investigating and testing.

Your stomach clenches. You begin to sweat. Sleep is not to be found. The decision weighs heavily on your every waking moment. Which tool will complete my system and give me the perfect GTD setup …

My name is Chris Bowler, and I have a problem.

I’m addicted to Switching.


All right—I’m being slightly facetious here. Only, there is some truth to the story above. At times, it’s been my story. And from what I’ve seen from others, I’m not alone. I’m not pointing any fingers—I count myself squarely amongst the transgressors. But it’s time to move on. After such a surge in popularity, those focused on the culture around GTD are coming to realize that there are a lot of us who are playing with Getting Things Done instead of getting things done.

I don’t want to spend a lot of time on this idea. I—and others—talked about the issue a lot this past summer. Instead, I want to focus on the future. I’ve used the past couple of months to work on the redesign of the site, but also for thinking about what the future holds for The Weekly Review.

After the summer of discontent and discussing the downfall, not of GTD, but of the distracting cottage industry that’s grown up around it, I’ve decided on a few things.

First off, I’d like to help people rather than be a part of the problem. And I think that starts with the true definition of David Allen’s methodology. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what GTD is—people are mistaking the culture that has sprung up as a true representative for GTD. A lot of times that is just not the case. I’d like to get back to the fundamental concepts of this methodology as well as other productivity ‘systems’. I hope I’m not beating this dead horse, but if we can help people improve their habits instead of their systems, than reduced stress should be a result.

At the same time, while focusing on how I can be better, I realized one important fact—I really like writing and talking about software. And I’ll continue doing just that. But I want my focus to be more on solutions that are truly helpful. There should be very little time spent on comparing A to B when they both offer similar functions. Instead, my aim is write about software that makes my life easier, more efficient and more enjoyable.

Another area of focus will be asking for advice from others. There are some folks that I really admire that I hope will share their ideas in this space. I write about this stuff, but I’m no expert—I’m learning as I go just like everyone else. And since being introduced to GTD two years ago, one thing I’ve enjoyed the most has been reading about how other people work and how they’ve incorporated GTD into their lives. So I’ll be inviting other people to share their likes and dislikes about GTD here on The Weekly Review. But again, the focus here will be more on habits rather than what tools they use.

And lastly, the overall direction of this site will be one of simplification. Actually, I think that’s been the case since I started writing—it’s more of a continuation than a change. Simplify what people think when they hear “GTD”. Simplify the tools and the number of tools. Simplify the inputs that take up our attention.

I truly believe simpler lives are happier, more peaceful lives. And that is the direction of The Weekly Review.


So where are the confessions? Just this—over the past three or four months I was sorely tempted to change my system. Move to a new tool. Get rid of Things, move to Backpack. Or Remember the Milk. And why? Because those were better options? In some ways, yes. Others, no.

The truth—I was getting bored of the same setup and I was seeking the rush of the new tool. Shiny, fresh pixels. Different features. In the end, I wasted a lot of time ‘testing’ and ‘reviewing’ instead of working. I know this needs to stop—It’s definitely not what GTD was intended for.

There are times when moving from one tool to another makes sense. When something can make your job easier or faster, that’s a good thing. But if you’re considering The Switch just to scratch that itch, to play with something new … well, that’s not being productive.

Maybe in saying that, I sound like a jerk. A hypocrite. If you think so, call me on it because I want accountability. But when it comes down to it, only you know which is true for you in each situation. All I want is for us to be honest with ourselves. To be self-aware.

For me, I stuck with my current setup. This time.

I know the temptation will come again. Something will come along to make me think I need to change. And when that happens, I want to be able to honestly evaluate my motivations and make the right decision. The time for playing is over.

It’s time to get things done.