The Importance of a “Waiting For” List in GTD

Getting Things Done (GTD) is a popular productivity system created by David Allen. The main concept of GTD is to capture all the tasks, ideas, and commitments in our minds and organize them into a system that we trust. GTD has five stages – Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, and Engage – and each stage has its own unique lists to help us stay on top of our tasks. In this article, we will focus on one of the most important lists in GTD, the “Waiting For” list, and why it is a favorite list for many GTD practitioners.

What is a “Waiting For” List?

The “Waiting For” list is a list of all the tasks or projects that you are waiting for someone else to complete. In other words, it’s a list of all items that you need to follow up on with someone else. For example, if you have asked a colleague to send you a report, you can add it to your “Waiting For” list so that you don’t forget about it. The list helps you keep track of all the commitments that you have delegated to others and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.

Why is a “Waiting For” List Important?

1. Avoid Forgetting

One of the main reasons why a “Waiting For” list is so important is that it helps you avoid forgetting about tasks or projects that you have delegated to others. It’s easy to forget about something that you have asked someone else to do, especially if it’s not an urgent task. By adding it to your “Waiting For” list, you can ensure that you don’t forget about it and follow up with the person appropriately.

2. Keep Track of Commitments

Another benefit of a “Waiting For” list is that it helps you keep track of all the commitments that you have made to others. It’s easy to lose track of what you have promised to do for someone else, especially if you have a lot of commitments. Having a “Waiting For” list ensures that you know what you have promised to do and when you need to follow up with the person.

3. Get a Sense of Progress

As mentioned in the blog post from Matthew Cornell, the “Waiting For” list can give you a sense of progress. When you have several items on your “Waiting For” list, you know that you have delegated tasks to others, and you can focus on other tasks that are under your control. Seeing items getting completed on your “Waiting For” list can give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated.

4. Help You Prioritize

Having a “Waiting For” list can also help you prioritize your tasks. When you have a lot of tasks on your plate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. By looking at your “Waiting For” list, you can identify tasks that are dependent on others and prioritize tasks that you can control. This can help you focus on the tasks that are most important and ensure that you are making progress towards your goals.

5. Build Relationships

Building relationships is important for personal and professional growth. By having a “Waiting For” list, you can stay in touch with the people who you have delegated tasks to and build a good relationship with them. Follow-up emails or calls to check the status of the task can help you connect with people and show them that you care about the task and appreciate their efforts.

Conclusion

The “Waiting For” list is an essential tool in GTD. It helps you keep track of tasks that you have delegated to others, avoids forgetting about tasks, provides a sense of progress, helps you prioritize tasks, and build relationships. By incorporating this list into your productivity system, you can ensure that you are on top of all your tasks and commitments and make progress towards your goals.