GSD (Getting Shit Done)

Overview

Getting Shit Done (GSD) is a deliberately simplified productivity methodology that strips away GTD's complexity, using just two lists—a master list and a daily list—to ensure actionable items get completed without elaborate organizational overhead.

The Two-List System

Master List

Purpose: Capture everything you want to accomplish ever

Contents:

• Every task, project, goal you can think of
• Big and small items mixed together
• No complex categorization
• Simple running list format

Key Rule: Everything must be actionable

• ❌ "Get in shape" (vague)
• ✓ "Do 20 pushups" (actionable)
• ❌ "Plan vacation" (unclear)
• ✓ "Research beach hotels in Mexico" (specific)

Daily List

Purpose: Today's actual work

Process:

1. Review master list
2. Select items for today
3. Transfer to daily list
4. Work only from daily list
5. Check off completed items
6. Leftover items return to master list

Guideline: 3-7 items maximum for achievable daily completion

Core Principles

Simplicity Over Structure

• Minimal organizational overhead
• No complex categories or contexts
• Two lists, that's it
• Focus on doing, not organizing

Actionable Items Only

• If it's on the list, you must be able to do it immediately
• No vague goals or aspirations
• Everything is a concrete next action
• No "project" items without specific actions

Daily Reset

• Each morning is fresh start
• Pull from master list based on today's priorities
• Yesterday's incomplete items reconsidered, not automatically carried over
• Prevents stale task accumulation

Making Tasks Actionable

Conversion Examples

Vague → Actionable

• "Blog" → "Write 500 words about productivity"
• "Exercise" → "Run 2 miles in neighborhood"
• "Financial planning" → "Review last month's credit card statement"
• "Learn Spanish" → "Complete Duolingo lesson"
• "Website" → "Write homepage copy"

The Action Test

Ask: "Can I do this right now?"

• Yes = Actionable, list it
• No = Break into smaller actionable steps

Implementation

Setup (5 minutes)

1. Open two blank documents/notes/pages
2. Label one "Master List"
3. Label other "Daily List"
4. Done. System ready.

Daily Workflow

Morning (5-10 minutes):

1. Review master list
2. Select 3-7 most important items for today
3. Copy to daily list
4. Close master list

During Day:

1. Work only from daily list
2. Check off completed items
3. Add new urgent items if necessary (max 1-2)

Evening (5 minutes):

1. Review daily list
2. Celebrate completed items
3. Move incomplete items back to master list
4. Clear daily list for tomorrow

Weekly Review (15 minutes)

1. Clean up master list
2. Remove completed items
3. Make items more actionable
4. Add new items that came up
5. No elaborate reorganization

Advantages

Extremely Low Friction

• No learning curve
• Setup in minutes
• No special software needed
• Works with any note-taking app

Sustainable

• Minimal maintenance required
• Won't break if neglected for a week
• Easy to restart if you fall off
• Not overwhelming to maintain

Effective

• Forces focus on today's priorities
• Ensures actionable items
• Prevents analysis paralysis
• Actually get things done

Disadvantages

Limited Scalability

• Very long master list becomes unwieldy
• No project management features
• Hard to track complex multi-step projects
• Minimal context organization

No Waiting/Someday Tracking

• All items live on master list together
• Can't easily defer items to future
• No built-in reminder system
• Manual filtering required

Lacks GTD's Sophistication

• No contexts (@computer, @phone)
• No project/action distinction
• No comprehensive review process
• Missing delegation tracking

When GSD Works Best

Ideal Users

• Overwhelmed by GTD's complexity
• Need simple system to start with
• Have relatively straightforward task load
• Prefer action over organization
• Want something maintainable long-term

Ideal Scenarios

• Personal productivity
• Freelance work
• Simple project management
• Daily routine tasks
• Habit building

When to Graduate Beyond GSD

Signs You've Outgrown It

• Master list exceeds 100 items
• Managing complex multi-phase projects
• Need delegation and waiting tracking
• Require context-based organization
• Want comprehensive life management

Next Steps

• Add context tags to master list
• Introduce project/action distinction
• Implement weekly review process
• Consider GTD or other advanced systems

Tool Recommendations

Paper-Based

• Single notebook, two sections
• Index cards (one master deck, daily cards)
• Whiteboard with two columns
• Simple bullet journal

Digital

• Two simple text files
• Notes app (Apple Notes, Google Keep)
• Notion (two pages)
• Todoist (two lists)
• Any task manager with list feature

Comparison to GTD

GTD

• Lists: 7+ (inbox, next actions, projects, waiting, someday/maybe, reference, calendar)
• Process: Capture, clarify, organize, reflect, engage
• Complexity: High, requires training
• Maintenance: Weekly reviews essential
• Best For: Comprehensive life management

GSD

• Lists: 2 (master, daily)
• Process: Add to master, pick for daily, do, repeat
• Complexity: Minimal, intuitive
• Maintenance: Optional weekly cleanup
• Best For: Simple task completion

Success Tips

Keep It Simple

• Resist urge to add complexity
• No elaborate categorization
• Don't over-organize master list
• Focus on completing daily list

Maintain Actionability

• Regularly review master list for vague items
• Convert to specific next actions
• Delete items you'll never do
• Be honest about commitments

Daily Discipline

• Always clear daily list at day end
• Fresh start each morning
• Celebrate completions
• Learn from incomplete items

Real-World Application

Morning Routine Example

1. Coffee + review master list (5 min)
2. Select 5 items for today
3. Copy to daily list
4. Start working on first item

Master List Sample

• Write blog post about GSD
• Schedule dentist appointment
• Reply to client email about project
• Research standing desks
• Call mom
• Update website portfolio
• Read 30 pages of current book
• Meal prep for week

Daily List Sample (from above)

• Write blog post about GSD
• Schedule dentist appointment
• Reply to client email about project
• Call mom
• Read 30 pages of current book

2026 Relevance

In an era of productivity system complexity:

• GSD offers refreshing simplicity
• Focuses on doing vs. organizing
• Sustainable without constant optimization
• Perfect for productivity system fatigue
• Proves simple systems can be effective