Getting things done with your iPod Nano

by Brad Grier on April 25, 2007

in Doing, How to, In the life

I’ve been an on-again off-again user of David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) system for a few years now. If you follow the GTD system, you’ll be aware that one of the things to do is create a system that is easy and always available. This has been my downfall on more than one occasion.

Currently, I’m using my iPod Nano as my actionable storage container. It’s smaller than my Palm TX, always with me, and able to store notes, appointments, contact information, and almost anything else you’d need to take advantage of those context-sensitive opportunities.

The downside is that it’s more difficult to add or edit data in the unit when you’re away from your desktop.

Here’s a few of the things possible with the iPod/GTD:

  • Listen to GTD Audio books to review concepts and processes
  • Timeshift – listen to your podcasts (especially For Immediate Release) while driving, using an FM Transmitter. There’s a long story and a whole other post on this topic.
  • Calendar – sync your appointments and todos with Outlook and other desktop calendaring programs.
  • Notes – Use it as a read-only PDA. Store phone numbers, addresses and other information.
  • Clock/Alarm – Built into the Nano. Great for keeping you on task and on time.

I’m sure there are more ideas, but my Nano is beeping at me telling me I’ve spent enough time creating this blog post. Time to move on to my next task.

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{ 2 comments }

1 chris April 25, 2007 at 1:47 pm

As a GTD newbie who also owns a Nano (and an older 40G regular iPod), I know what you’re talking bout here, Brad.

While I’m still feeling my way around, so far I’m using a super high tech Moleskine for my next actions/other GTD lists, and it’s also basically acting as a portable collection bucket, too. I don’t use a PDA, and while I do sync my iPods with my home computer’s contacts/ calendars/ podcasts it’s really not part of my GTD system, other than the David Allen audiobook that’s on it ;-)

There may be some PC software that helps hook the two together – I know that on the Mac side there’s this: http://www.kaboomerang.com/blog/category/ipod/

Worth searching for anyway, if there is indeed a PC program that will take care of automatically syncing all your GTD lists, etc. with the Notes function on the iPod for you.

2 Brad Grier April 25, 2007 at 8:58 pm

Thanks for the note Chris.

I’ve tried the free trial for iPodSync (http://www.ipod-sync.com/), but haven’t totally committed to it yet. I will have to hook it up to my laptop at work to give it a thorough runthrough :-)

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