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In Getting Things Done, David Allen presents an all-encompassing philosophy on time management. To do it justice, you really need to read the book. However, here are 10 powerful ideas I find most useful for sharing in this format.

1. If there is any action, response or item, you can accomplish in two minutes or less, do it immediately.

2. Instead of letting emails accumulate in your inbox, create separate electronic folders in your email program, one for action items you need to address, one for reading and review, and one for emails where you must wait for a response. That way, when you handle your email flow, you can drag each item into the appropriate folder, and you are not constantly reviewing an unsorted mess.

3.  Create several to-do lists instead of just one. The lists are based on your physical situation. For example, one of your to-do lists should be labelled "Errands," one should be labelled "At the Computer," and another should be labelled "Calls." In addition to avoiding an unneccesary review, this strategy prevents switching between different types of actions, because that wastes a lot of time.

4. Buy a stackable inbox with at least three separate trays. Also, place a file cabinet within swivel-reach of your work desk and start a general A-Z system. The cabinet drawers should slide smoothly; they should not be over-stuffed; and you should buy an automatic labeller for your files. This makes filing as much "fun" as possible so papers don't pile up on your desk.

5. Capture all incoming assignments and thoughts on one of your to-do lists, always writing them down as soon as they occur. Carry a pad wherever you go to record new items on the appropriate list.

6. All incoming assignments need to be processed according to some very simple rules. If it will take less than two minutes, do it. If it's important material requiring no action, file it. If it's a larger project, put it on an appropriate "to-do" list.

7. All multi-step tasks should be organized in terms of the "next action" required. This helps to prevent inertia and procrastination due to large projects sitting on your "to-do" list.

8. Organize daily projects in terms of context, time available, energy available and priority. For example, if you're tired, everything else being equal, you don't want to engage in a project requiring a lot of thinking. Or if you just have 10 minutes before your next meeting, or you're in a waiting room, it might be a good idea to catch up on your reading. Obviously, if you're not at your computer (the context), you'll be using a different "to-do" list than if you were.

9. Don't clutter up your calendar with a lot of items. Use it only for time-sensitive matters that must occur on a certain day or hour.

10. For brainstorming meetings, or when creative input is required, always conclude by listing "next actions." These actions, as mentioned before, go on the appropriate to-do list.