You’ve heard of GTD haven’t you? It’s everywhere on the web (3,260,000 hits if you google it!) It stands for “Getting Things Done” and was invented by David Allen. Put simply, its a system to try and help you beat procrastination and clutter by focussing on actually doing what needs done instead of just thinking about it and hoping that one day you might get round to it. The basic idea is a good one – that things that need done but which you haven’t done yet clog up your brain like clutter clogs up your house. However, as with all “systems”, (especially ones which get trademarked), it all gets a bit too complicated for its own good. Zen habits is a personal organisation blog which I like and here you’ll find a simplified version of GTD.
I confess. I love notebooks and pens and diaries and calendars so this whole thing catches my attention. I’ve even read the book! More than that, I’ve changed my home filing system to the simple one he suggests and I try pretty regularly to action or file the pile of mail that heaps up on my kitchen windowsill – clearing that windowsill is a strangely life-enhancing experience!
But I’ve been on holiday for the last week and as I’ve had a busy week of NOT Getting Things Done (NGTD), an Italian phrase popped into my head for some reason –
Dolce Far Niente
First time I saw this I wrote it in the front of my then current Moleskine. In English it would mean “Doing sweet nothing”. I can remember when I was a busy GP rushing from surgery to housecalls and cutting through Holyrood Park. I would often see someone sitting on one of the park benches. Just sitting. And I’d think “How wonderful! To be able to just sit! No bag. No phone! Just sitting!” That’s one version of “Dolce Far Niente” (DFN). You can make up your own. What’s your favourite way to enjoy doing sweet nothing?
While thinking about this post I came across this painting by John William Godward
It’s entitled “Dolce Fa Niente”
Heroes Not Zombies 
As you probably know, I aspire to DFN. I sometimes feel like a lazy person living a busy person’s life! But after a productive day like today, where I have written 2000 words of the thesis, a blog post, a conference abstract and several emails, I do feel quite rejuvenated. These days, when I don’t get a lot done I tend to feel quite unsettled. My recent trip to France was just lovely because it provided just the right mix of GTD and DFN – a conference combined with two weekend breaks. Perfect!
Wow! YOU got a lot done! Glad you’ve managed a little DFN time too. I agree, its best to have both. I get a bit antsy too if I haven’t done much but a post or two on the blog soon settles it
Dolce Far Niente … I did it today after having a coffee in a cafe. I did sweet nothing. Just sit there enjoying the air. No phone, no bag, nothing to read. Dolce Far Niente.
An absolutely stunning painting! Thanks for sharing that 🙂
Sugar Mouse, I love spending time having coffee in a cafe but I must admit it’s very difficult to NOT take a phone, bag AND something to read! Well done!
Glad you like the painting Ester. I agree. It’s stunning, isn’t it? I found a lot of Godward’s paintings at http://www.artrenewal.org/ Maybe you know that site already?
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