Book Review: 3/5 Impact On Me (Book By David Allen)
Read more about the book here
David Allen is often seen as a cliché productivity author, supposedly followed by every productivity enthusiast. But when his book appeared on my feed at a discount, I decided to give it a try—and I liked it. It reminded me a lot of 4000 Weeks, yet I found some valuable takeaways. I'd rate its impact on me as 3 out of 5 because while it offers many useful tips, I already practice several of them. Here are my key takeaways and notes as I read through the book:
Start with Your SurroundingsWhen you want to start to organize life around you, you can start from where you are. Look around you physically—at your desk or in your car's glove box. What’s there that shouldn’t be? Often, we leave things out as reminders of tasks we need to do. These items can help you start your first to-do list. For every task you add, identify two things: the desired outcome and the immediate next step.
The Two-Minute RuleThe two-minute rule is a well-known concept from Getting Things Done. But, the next level idea I learned in this book was to keep a two-minute timer on your desk. When you wonder if you can respond to an email quickly, start the timer. If you finish within two minutes, you’ve handled it without adding it to your to-do list. Over time, this helps you recognize which tasks are quick wins.
Context-Based Task ListsSimilar to the environment-triggered habits from Atomic Habits, Allen suggests creating context-specific lists: tasks you can do on the go, with your phone, at home, or in the office. Labeling tasks by their requirements (e.g., needing Internet or a phone) helps you act efficiently based on your situation.
Weekly ReviewsAllen recommends a weekly review of your tasks. I already do this for work on Monday mornings to plan my week. It keeps priorities clear and prevents tasks from slipping through the cracks.
Vision AlignmentKeep your life vision in mind when setting yearly goals or deciding on tasks. This ensures your daily actions align with your long-term aspirations. I do this via my "Designing Your Life" exercise, yearly plans, and weekly plans.
Capturing Thoughts AnywhereHave a system to capture thoughts wherever you are. Allen suggests keeping a notepad in places you frequent. I use Google speakers at home and my watch with Google Assistant to set reminders quickly.
Inbox Zero PhilosophyAllen emphasizes clearing your inbox every 24-48 hours. However, after reading 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, I’ve chosen not to pursue this as a strict goal. It’s about balance.
The 5-Step Process
Capture: Write down everything on your mind.
Clarify: Decide what each item means and what to do about it.
Organize: Place tasks in trusted systems.
Reflect: Review regularly to stay on track.
Engage: Focus on doing tasks efficiently.
Outcome ThinkingTeach even kids to think about their desired outcomes, identify the gap between where they are and where they want to be, and determine the next immediate step. This simple framework works for everyone.
Flexible StructureBeing too rigid can backfire. In high school, I planned every hour meticulously. A delay in the first hour threw off my entire day. Now, I build flexibility into my schedule, expecting unplanned events. This adaptability reduces frustration and keeps me productive.
Trust Your SystemAllen stresses having a reliable system to track tasks—just like we do with phone numbers or emails. When your brain trusts that it doesn’t need to remember everything, you free up mental space.
I achieve this through:
Night journaling and daily planning
Weekly sprint boards at work
A Kanban backlog board at home for family tasks
This approach helps me stay organized and mentally clear, allowing me to focus fully on work or family without lingering task-related thoughts.
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