I discovered GTD at a time when I mostly needed to feel back in control. Too many ideas in my head, too many small things to remember, too many open projects at the same time.

Five years later, I no longer use GTD as a perfect method. I use it more like a foundation. Some ideas stayed very useful. Others became too heavy for my everyday life.

What actually worked

The best idea in GTD, for me, is still simple: do not keep important things in your head.

When a task, an idea, or a worry appears, I capture it somewhere. Not because it instantly makes me more organized, but because it stops me from carrying it mentally all day.

That habit changed a lot. It lowers background noise. It makes days feel calmer. It also prevents me from confusing “thinking about something” with “making progress on it.”

What became too heavy

The hardest part was maintaining a system that was too complete.

For a while, I tried to classify everything properly: contexts, lists, projects, next actions, horizons, reviews. On paper, it looked clean. In real life, it required a lot of energy.

The risk with GTD is spending more time maintaining the system than doing the important work.

What I kept

Today, my version of GTD is much simpler.

I keep three things:

  • an inbox for quick capture;
  • a short list of active projects;
  • a regular review to put things back in order.

The rest depends on the season. When life is busy, I simplify even more. When I have more space, I can add more detail.

What I would do differently

If I were starting again, I would not try to apply GTD perfectly from day one.

I would begin with one habit: capture everything in the same place. Only after that would I add a weekly review. Then, if needed, a clear next-actions list.

The system should follow real life, not the other way around.

My honest take

GTD is still a very good method if you have many responsibilities, many projects, or a high mental load. But it is not a magic solution.

The method mainly helps you see more clearly what needs your attention. After that, you still have to choose, let go, prioritize, and accept that you cannot do everything.

After five years, I would say GTD taught me less about being productive than about trusting my system. And maybe that is the real benefit: knowing that important things have a place to go, even when the week gets messy.