Holistic Productivity for Organizations provides participants with new methodologies and practical strategies to achieve optimum levels of productivity in both their personal and professional environments.
Course Overview
The course has two distinct sections. The focus for the first section is on the theoretical practices and the self awareness/management that supports productivity. It includes an overview of David Allen’s Getting Things Done® (GTD®) methodology, a highly effective approach to productivity. With a theoretical foundation in place, the second section delves into applying GTD principles, the effective use of technology and the cultivation of effective new habits.
Logistics
Holistic Productivity for Organizations is offered in two formats: two half days (3.5 hours each day with break) or a one day (8 hours, with morning, afternoon and lunch breaks). It is the responsibility of the host organization to provide the facilities for the course and to print the course manual/workbook for the participants.
The first section of the course offers participants the chance to examine their life and work habits and to identify areas in which they are not as effective as they could be. This includes an examination of areas where participants tend to procrastinate and an opportunity to look at the root cause of this procrastination.
The course emphasizes self management rather than time management. Metaphorically, time is a river in which we experience life. Time, like a river, can’t intrinsically be managed. Instead, the focus is on how best to manage oneself in the context of time. On a practical level this involves examining current practices, learning new approaches and technologies and developing new habits.
The Getting Things Done® methodology, frequently abbreviated as GTD®, was developed by David Allen. GTD is a proactive approach to productivity that involves maintaining a “trusted system” that is reviewed regularly. It provides a much needed strategy for dealing with the barrage of information that we are exposed to in our modern world and is a highly adaptable approach that is practiced all over the world by everyone from artists to engineers.
With the permission of David Allen and the David Allen Company, the course includes an introduction to key GTD principles, including the five things that must be done regularly to maintain control and the six levels of perspective that need to be maintained at both a personal and organizational level. Resources for further study are provided.
Armed with a basic knowledge of GTD principles and practical information gathered through the homework exercise, the second week exposes participants to best practices and technology for implementing GTD. This includes instruction on using solutions such as Microsoft® Outlook® or OmniFocus to implement GTD. The course also includes an overview of “best of class” technologies that have been shown to be highly effective in the implementation of GTD.
The technologies featured in the course can be customized to suit the needs of the organization and course participants.
Armed with a basic knowledge of GTD principles and practical information gathered through the homework exercise, the second week exposes participants to best practices and technology for implementing GTD. This includes instruction on using solutions such as Microsoft® Outlook® or OmniFocus to implement GTD. The course also includes an overview of “best of class” technologies that have been shown to be highly effective in the implementation of GTD.
The specific technologies featured in the course can be customized to suit the needs of the organization and course participants.
The technological advances over the past couple of decades came with a promise of making life and business more productive. Ironically many have come to see technology as a source of stress. This section offers practical strategies for managing the high volumes of information, most notably e-mail, that are a common source of stress and overwhelm to those working in a corporate environment.
This course is designed to have a lasting impact, giving the participants tools and strategies to be highly productive in their work environment while engaged in a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
At the end of the course, participants begin a 90-day process to practice what they’ve learned as they create positive shifts in one or more areas of their lives. To help support this transformation, participants are encouraged to work with a partner from the course and to check in regularly (typically once a week) over the course of the 90-day process.
Participants in the course will learn:
How to get to the root of inefficiencies and procrastination. The basics principles and terminology of the David Allen Company's highly acclaimed Getting Things Done® (GTD®) approach to productivity. Best practices for implementing GTD® using Mac®/Windows® and mobile technologies. The specific technologies that are included in the course is determine based on the technologies your organization and employees have adopted. Practical strategies for using technology effectively, with a strong focus on e-mail management. Techniques for implementing positive new habits in their professional and personal life. The course is designed to have a lasting impact. During the 90 days that follow the course, a structure is introduced to give participants the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned while positively impacting one or more distinct areas of their life.
What Organization Leaders & Human Resource Managers Are Saying About This Course
“Day by day, I’ve been implementing the various approaches presented in your program. My only wish is that I had taken your course sooner. I could go on for hours, but I will summarize my successes by saying that I’m feeling back in the driver’s seat (as opposed to being a firefighter).”
—Course Participant