# GTD in plain words

Dmytro Sokolnikov, maker of Tasker · October 21, 2026

GTD (Getting Things Done) is a method where your tasks live not in your head but in a system you trust: you write down everything that comes to mind, decide what to do with each item, and every day see only what needs doing now. The method was created by David Allen; his book came out in 2001.

Capture → Clarify → Organize → Review → Engage

## Why bother

The head is great at ideas and bad at storage. It reminds you about the remote’s batteries when you are in bed, not when you are at the checkout. Every unwritten task is a small background worry: “don’t forget”.

GTD offers a simple deal: take everything out of your head and put it where you will see it at the right moment. Then your attention goes to what you are doing now, not to remembering.

## The five steps of GTD

1. Capture — write down everything that needs your attention, in one place, without sorting.
2. Clarify — for each item, decide what it is and what the next step is.
3. Organize — put each thing where you will need it: on the calendar, on a list, into a project.
4. Review — once a week, go through all your lists so the system stays current.
5. Engage — every day, pick from what is planned for today and do it, without holding the rest in your head.

## How GTD differs from a to-do list

An ordinary list mixes everything: small chores, big projects, “someday” ideas. It grows, scares you and gets abandoned.

GTD separates them: what has a date goes on the calendar, what can wait goes on lists, big things become projects with one clear next step. That is why the list for today stays short and honest.

## Do I need to read the book?

No. The method is a set of habits, and you can start with the first one — capture. The rest comes as soon as things pile up in one place.

This guide explains each step briefly and in plain words, and shows how it looks in Tasker.

## Five steps

- [Capture: get everything out of your head](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/capture/): Write everything down in one place — no sorting, no dates.
- [Clarify and the two-minute rule](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/clarify/): One decision for each item: what it is and what to do with it.
- [Organize: a place for everything](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/organize/): A calendar, a few short lists and projects — each thing where you will see it.
- [The weekly review in 30 minutes](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/weekly-review/): Once a week, go through all your lists — and the system is current again.
- [What to do now: a day without chaos](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/engage/): Every day — a short list for today, not the whole mountain of tasks.

## GTD in practice

- [Projects and next actions](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/projects/): A big task is a project with one clear next action.
- [Areas of responsibility](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/areas/): Work, health, family — parts of life you keep an eye on all the time.
- [Calendar and deadlines in GTD](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/calendar/): Only what has its own day goes on the calendar. Deadlines go apart.
- [Reminders and recurring tasks](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/reminders/): Reminders for what you can’t miss; repeats for the routine.
- [Start GTD in one evening](https://tasker-me.app/gtd/start/): Two or three hours — and your tasks already live in a system.

GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of the David Allen Company. Tasker is not affiliated with the David Allen Company; this guide is our short retelling of the method.

## Try GTD in Tasker

Write your first thought into the Inbox — the rest gets easier.

[Start for free](https://tasker-me.app/app/)