Don't Put Fake Deadlines in a Gtd System
Fleeting- External reference: https://forum.gettingthingsdone.com/threads/when-should-i-date-next-action-tasks.17824/
gtd,
no you should absolutely not put due dates in your system. If you do that you will become numb to them as they are meaningless. If something has a firm due Date it belongs on your calendar to ensure you have time allocated.
— https://forum.gettingthingsdone.com/threads/when-should-i-date-next-action-tasks.17824/
GTD you want to use contexts, time, and energy as your criteria to choose your next action
— https://forum.gettingthingsdone.com/threads/when-should-i-date-next-action-tasks.17824/
long as you use your someday/maybe list appropriately you will not be overwhelmed and your mind will guide you to the right next action at the right time.
— https://forum.gettingthingsdone.com/threads/when-should-i-date-next-action-tasks.17824/
you should absolutely not put due dates in your system. If you do that you will become numb to them as they are meaningless
— https://forum.gettingthingsdone.com/threads/when-should-i-date-next-action-tasks.17824/
GTD emphasizes the use of due dates which are real:
— https://forum.gettingthingsdone.com/threads/when-should-i-date-next-action-tasks.17824/
but make them explicit
There are
- tasks with explicit deadlines,
- tasks with implicit deadlines,
- tasks without clear deadlines,
- is easy to deal with. You put it in the calendar and renegociate your engagements if need be,
- is less easy but manageable, you can come to the people towards whom you are committed and clarify the deadline. I think it is better to have a clear deadline than an implicit one.
- is even less easy. I think that all commitments have deadline and that you can still find out what this one is.
In general, 3. is about stuff you are committed toward yourself. In that case, I suggest you renegociate your engagements towards yourself like everyone else. This needs some intellectual honesty that you need anyway if you want to implement a trusted system.