Super Productivity with the GTD Method

The Getting Things Done (GTD) method, developed by David Allen, is a time-tested system for staying organized, reducing stress, and keeping commitments clear.

Super Productivity is a privacy-friendly, open-source productivity app that aligns naturally with GTD’s principles—without forcing you into a rigid workflow.

This guide shows you how to set up and use Super Productivity to implement GTD effectively.

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1. Understanding the GTD Workflow

GTD has five key steps:

1. Capture – Collect everything that has your attention.
2. Clarify – Decide what each item means and what to do about it.
3. Organize – Put actionable items into the right places.
4. Reflect – Review regularly to keep your system current.
5. Engage – Do the work based on context, priority, and energy.

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2. Step-by-Step GTD Setup in Super Productivity

Step 1 – Capture: Collect Everything

• Go to your "Inbox" by selecting it in the left hand menu.
• Then use the “Add Task” button (or keyboard shortcut) to quickly capture any task, idea, or reminder.
• Keep entries short and specific—e.g., "Call supplier about delayed shipment".

💡 Tip: You can also capture tasks in a plain text file (one per bullet point) and paste them into Super Productivity directly from your clipboard.

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Step 2 – Clarify: Decide the Next Step

• Process your Inbox regularly (ideally daily).
• For each item, ask:
  • Is it actionable? If not, archive it or save as reference or delete it.
  • If yes, define the next physical action clearly (e.g., “Email Lisa to confirm date” instead of “Lisa project”).
• Use task notes to store supporting details.

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Step 3 – Organize: Put It Where It Belongs

Super Productivity’s Projects, Tags, and Due Dates map neatly to GTD concepts:

GTD Concept	Super Productivity Feature
Projects	Project boards
Contexts (e.g., @home)	Tags (e.g., #home, #office)
Time-specific actions	Due dates & reminders
Someday/Maybe list	A dedicated “Someday” project (or tag)

Example setup:

• Projects: “Website Redesign”, “Marketing Campaign”, “Personal Finance”
• Tags: #call, #errand, #deepwork
• Someday Project: For non-urgent ideas and “maybe later” items.

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Step 4 – Reflect: Weekly Review

A weekly review keeps your GTD system trusted and current. In Super Productivity:

1. Filter tasks by project and tag to see outstanding work. You can do so by using the filter panel that opens when you click the filter icon button in the top right.
2. Check the Someday project—promote items when relevant.
3. Review completed tasks to track progress.
4. Update priorities, deadlines, and tags as needed.

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Step 5 – Engage: Work with Focus

When it’s time to take action:

• Use Filters to see tasks by context/tag (e.g., only #office tasks while at the office).
• Sort by priority to focus on high-impact work.
• Use the Pomodoro Timer or the Flow Timer to stay focused and avoid burnout.

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3. Advanced GTD Practices with Super Productivity

• Reference Material: Store notes or link to external documents for easy access.
• Recurring Tasks: Automate regular actions (e.g., weekly reports) using repeat settings.
• External Integrations: Pull tasks from GitHub, Jira, or other sources to capture all work in one place.

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4. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Over-tagging: Too many tags create friction; keep them focused.
• Skipping Clarification: Don’t leave tasks vague—unclear items clog your system.
• Neglecting Reviews: Without reviews, your GTD setup will quickly lose reliability.

- Too many tasks: Dare to delete and cleanup things you likely never will do.

5. Final Thoughts

GTD is about mental clarity—trusting that every commitment is captured, organized, and reviewable.

Super Productivity’s flexibility, privacy focus, and zero-cost model make it an excellent GTD tool without locking you into a proprietary ecosystem.

Start simple, refine as you go, and let the system work for you—not the other way around.