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David Allen's insights on Action aren't theoretical—they're battle-tested wisdom from someone who operated at the highest level. This collection distills that experience into quotable principles, each with source context for verification. When you're navigating Action in the real world, these quotes offer the kind of practical guidance that only comes from direct experience.
"Most often, the reason something is "on your mind" is that you want it to be different than it currently is, and yet:• you haven't clarified exactly what the intended outcomes is;• you haven't decided what the very next physical action step is;• and/or you haven't put reminders of the outcome and the action required in a system you trust.That's why it's on your mind. Ch. 1"
Website: Wikiquote - David Allen (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (2001))
"Before you can achieve... you'll need to get in the habit of keeping nothing on your mind... not by managing time, managing information, or managing priorities. ...Instead, the key ...is managing your actions. ...[T]he real problem is a lack of clarity and definition about what a project really is, and what the associated next-action steps required are. Ch. 1"
Website: Wikiquote - David Allen (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (2001))
Seeing how David Allen approaches Action helps you apply the idea with more precision.
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"Use this collection whenever you need David Allen's lens on Action."