The CODE Method: A Simpler Alternative to GTD

I tried to love Getting Things Done (GTD). I really did. I bought the books, I set up the intricate lists, and I religiously followed the weekly review. But after a few months, I had to be honest with myself: the system was creating more work than it was solving. I was spending more time managing my productivity system than actually being productive. It felt heavy, and eventually, I abandoned it, leaving me feeling like a productivity failure.

That\'s when I realized the problem wasn\'t me; it was the complexity. I didn\'t need a system that could manage a multinational corporation. I needed something light, intuitive, and built for action, not administration. So, I stripped everything down to its bare essentials and built my own framework. I call it the CODE method.

The friction of complex systems

For many of us, the allure of a comprehensive system like GTD is its promise to handle everything. But that comprehensiveness comes at a cost: cognitive overhead. The constant need to clarify, organize into dozens of contexts, and perform rigorous reviews can become a barrier. I found myself procrastinating on processing my inbox because I knew it was a 30-minute ordeal. The system, designed to create clarity, was ironically becoming a source of friction.

Introducing the CODE method: a four-step cycle

CODE is an acronym for the four simple steps I cycle through daily and weekly: Capture, Organize, Do, and Evaluate. It’s designed to be lean and get out of your way, so you can focus on what truly matters.

C is for capture

Just like GTD, this starts with getting things out of your head. The key difference for me is the tool\'s simplicity. I don\'t use a fancy app with multiple inboxes. I have one single, running digital note titled \'Inbox.\' Every task, idea, or reminder goes there. No sorting, no tagging, just capturing. This makes the process frictionless and takes seconds.

O is for organize

This is where I departed most radically from GTD. I don\'t use contexts or complex project folders. At the end of each day, I look at my \'Inbox\' and move each item to one of only two lists: \'Now\' or \'Later.\' \'Now\' contains tasks for today or tomorrow. \'Later\' is for everything else. That’s it. This binary choice eliminates decision fatigue and makes planning incredibly fast.

D is for do

With a simple, prioritized \'Now\' list, the path forward is clear. I start my day, look at the list, and get to work. There\'s no need to consult multiple context lists or wonder what I *could* be doing. The system has already done the heavy lifting by presenting a short, actionable set of tasks. My only job is to execute.

E is for evaluate

Instead of the formal GTD weekly review, I have a 15-minute \'Evaluate\' session every Friday. I ask myself two questions: What did I accomplish from my \'Now\' lists this week? And what from the \'Later\' list needs to move to \'Now\' for next week? This quick check-in keeps the system tidy and ensures long-term goals don\'t get lost, all without the formality I used to dread.

Why this simple approach works for me

The CODE method gave me back my momentum. By drastically reducing the administrative overhead, I found that I was engaging with my tasks more consistently. It’s not a perfect system for every person or every complex project, but its strength is in its simplicity. It\'s a framework that serves me, not the other way around. If you\'ve ever felt bogged down by your own productivity system, maybe a simpler code is all you need.