David Allen's book is probably similar to other books on time management. I follow his system, and it has worked for me — but what I want to stress is that practically any book on time management will yield an improvement in your work and personal life.

The Art of Getting Things Done, however, uses an interesting metaphor to describe the effect the process creates. Allen refers to it as the ready-state of the martial artist, where the "mind is like water."

You accomplish this by gathering all you work — every scrap of paper, idea, to-do list — into a single system, then making decisions based on priorities. Essentially, it is a clean desk, clean mind concept. It also yields a wonderful collection of stuffed garbage bags — in itself, a liberating feeling.

The operative concept that flows from this base is Allen's mantra, "What's the Next Action?" According ot Allen, and my own experience, this mindset keeps you flowing inside your projects, acting on tasks, rather than outside with a woe-is-me-I'll never-finish attitude.

I stress again, however, that it works. When I was clearing out my desk from one newspaper job to go to another one, I was dismayed by what I found at the bottom of my in-box and in multiple desk drawers. So many articles and projects undone!

At the next job, I implemented Allen's system, maintaining the single, detailed filing system he advocates, a running to-do list and always leaving with a clean desk.

Result: I averaged 2 to 4 articles per day — and a higher quality of work to boot.

I also had an eerily clean desk that looked as if it was unoccupied. The city editor laughed at my filing system, which was in two drawers. His was an abstract scultpure worthy of an exhibit at MOMA. But he swore he knew where everything was.

Second result: My stress levels were lower and my personal satisfaction was higher.

Now that I'm working from home, I'm still using the system, and applying it to the challenges that come with self-motivation.

One thing I've implemented recently is the use of a Brother labeler. It makes your files look neater, more professional. It's addictive and fun, too — fortunately the cat moves too fast to get stuck with a piece of advesive label.

I've reviewed the concepts several times over the last two years, and have always gotten something new out of the book, or refreshed my memory on something I should be doing.

I agree with Allen that everyone is busier than ever, and that the boundaries of work have been erased. So I also believe everyone needs some introduction to time management, and this book has worked for me.