Getting Things Done
by David Allen
★ Top 5 book of 2001 · #5 on Best Books of 2001
A veteran coach and management consultant presents his methods for working without stress. His central idea is that we get more done when we can relax, which requires a clear mind and organized thoughts.
Best for: Busy people wanting a calmer, more organized approach to productivity and creativity
Getting Things Done is #5 on BookWard's Best Books of 2001, out of 35 2001 books that cleared our data bar.
What Getting Things Done is about
Allen's starting point is a simple observation: the more you try to hold in your head, the less you tend to finish. His system asks you to get everything out of your mind and into a trusted external record, whether tasks, projects, worries or loose ideas. Each item is then broken into concrete actions with clear time limits, so your attention goes to doing the work rather than trying to remember it.
Behind the method is his belief that productivity rises with our ability to relax. A veteran coach and management consultant, Allen writes in a practical, encouraging tone. The book first appeared in 2001, and a 2015 revision updated it for the changes in technology since. It suits anyone who feels buried under commitments and wants a calmer, clearer way to organize their days.
Getting Things Done on the Best Books of 2001
Getting Things Done came out in 2001. Of the 35 books first published in 2001 that met BookWard's data bar, it ranks #5 on our Best Books of 2001 list.
Why it made the list: 513 readers have shelved it on Open Library; readers rate it 3.8 out of 5 (56 ratings); 30 are reading it right now. The list ranks each year’s books on how many readers have picked them up, how highly readers rate them, and how many are reading them right now.
Nearby on the 2001 list
- Crucial Conversations Kerry Patterson, #3
- Point Blanc Anthony Horowitz, #4
- Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand, #6
- Deception Point Dan Brown, #7
See all Best Books of 2001 Best books by year
More years: Best Books of 2000 Best Books of 2002.
The numbers behind it
- Readers: 409 want to read it, 30 are reading it now and 74 have read it, according to Open Library.
- Ratings: 3.8 out of 5 from 56 Open Library ratings.
| Signal | This book (0 to 100) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | 83 | 55% |
| Reader love | 40 | 25% |
| Being read right now | 86 | 20% |
Questions about Getting Things Done
When was Getting Things Done published?
Getting Things Done by David Allen was first published in 2001.
Was Getting Things Done one of the best books of 2001?
Getting Things Done is #5 on BookWard's Best Books of 2001, out of 35 2001 books that cleared our data bar. 513 readers have shelved it on Open Library; readers rate it 3.8 out of 5 (56 ratings); 30 are reading it right now.
Why is Getting Things Done on the Best Books of 2001 list?
513 readers have shelved it on Open Library; readers rate it 3.8 out of 5 (56 ratings); 30 are reading it right now.
More of the best books of 2001
- American Gods Neil Gaiman, #1
- Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time Brian Tracy, #2
- Crucial Conversations Kerry Patterson, #3
- Point Blanc Anthony Horowitz, #4
- Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand, #6
- Deception Point Dan Brown, #7
See the full Best Books of 2001, the Top 100, or new books on Rising.
How we know
This page uses public data: Open Library reader counts and ratings, and Wikipedia page views for recent years. The description is paraphrased from real source text. Rankings reflect reading interest, not quality or sales, and can be affected by data gaps. Lists update monthly.
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