David Allen’s Ready for Anything builds on his celebrated productivity methodology introduced in Getting Things Done (GTD). This book is a collection of 52 concise essays that explore key principles of productivity, mindset shifts, and practical tools to help individuals manage their lives more effectively. While Getting Things Done focused on systems and practices, Ready for Anything emphasizes the philosophy and mental clarity needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Allen’s primary message is the importance of having a clear mind and a trusted system for capturing, organizing, and processing tasks. He argues that mental clutter inhibits creativity and productivity, and advocates for regular reflection and review to maintain focus and adaptability. Each essay in the book is framed around a pithy insight or principle, such as “Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” These essays encourage readers to engage deeply with the GTD system and adopt habits that cultivate calm and readiness for whatever life throws at them.

One of the strengths of Ready for Anything is its accessibility. The essays are short, easy to digest, and filled with actionable advice, making the book a perfect companion for busy professionals. Allen’s insights are practical yet profound, offering readers not just strategies for work productivity but also tools for achieving personal balance and mental clarity. The book’s structure allows readers to dip in and out without losing coherence, which is particularly appealing to those with hectic schedules.
Another notable strength is Allen’s emphasis on the psychological benefits of organization. By clearing the mind of unnecessary distractions, he argues, individuals can unlock greater creativity and resilience. This holistic approach makes the book relevant to a wide audience beyond the corporate world.

The book’s biggest drawback is its reliance on familiarity with the GTD methodology. Readers new to Allen’s framework may find some essays lacking context or overly abstract. Additionally, the repetition of themes across essays, while reinforcing key concepts, can feel redundant for readers seeking fresh insights.

Ready for Anything is a thought-provoking and inspiring read for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and clarity. While it may not stand alone as a complete guide, it serves as a valuable supplement to Getting Things Done.

I've listened to the Audible audiobook versions of Getting Things Done and Making It All Work twice and plan on listening to them again 4-6 months from now.

That being said the audio version of Ready for Anything escaped me on the initial listen. I plan on listening to it again, but if I had to rate David Allen's books in terms of usefulness I'd rate:

#1 Making It All Work
#2 Getting Things Done
#3 Ready for Anything

If you're a GTD convert then I recommend the David Allen Company podcast, following David Allen on Twitter, and following Omnifocus on Twitter (if that's your list manager of choice).

He adoptado la metodología de GTD tanto en lo laboral como en lo personal y se ha vuelto un habito arraigado en mi vida cotidiana. Este libro, aunque muy interesante, no me pareció tan bueno como otros del mismo autor. Es una serie de recomendaciones sobre el mismo tema que me parecieron de poco aporte.

As a dedicated yet pragmatic GTDer, I found this book to be an enjoyable read, but light on concrete action items. It's a breezy, meditative rumination on applying GTD in the field. That's an unexpected shift in tone from the first book, which reads like an instructional manual.

My most challenging and difficult-to-time-manage project is long-term basic research, and I've never been able to fit that into the GTD paradigm. GTD works great for everything else I have going on, but I've never been able to map research to discrete short actions. I was hoping this book would help with that, but it didn't.

Clear up processing power "Physic RAM" with a to-do/goals system, plan for obstacles, put someone in charge of a team, and, overall, stay organized but flexible. Easy, helpful read especially for any GTD followers.

The Science Of Mindfulness !
In a world full of mindfulness snake oil sellers here's the real McCoy ! I have been studying productivity systems since childhood . I was aware of systems like Eisenhower's urgent important matrix , Steven Covey's Begin With The End & Pareto's 80 20 rule . I was extremely frustrated to observe that these systems were of limited utility because they were incomplete . Then I discovered GTD It is the real science of mindfulness & is really a comprehensive system . No smart man can afford to ignore it

There are three books at the heart of my personal approach to self-management. First Things First helps me with strategic direction, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World gives me an operational framework, and Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity provides the tactical tools for implementing it all. This book is basically a refresher course, revisiting both principles and techniques from Getting Things Done, and I needed that.

Quick read, lots of great tips and reminders about helpful GTD principles. Probably more useful after reading Getting Things Done, but even if you haven't, I think checking out the appendix section at the back of this book would provide enough context to get a lot out of it.

The book is full with lots of explanation and some good tips. I also like the little quotes on the margin. The author has extensive knowledge on the topic of productivity, getting organized etc. I would have enjoyed reading the book more if the language was fluid.

This is a follow-up to David Allen's spectacular Getting Things Done. It delves more into the philosophy and ideas behind his organization system, whereas the first book talked more about mechanics of the system. I'm an enormous fan of the GTD system- it's a life changer. Nevertheless, I got more information and enjoyment from reading Getting Things Done a second time than from reading this book.

Este libro es para leer a poquitos, reflexionando sobre cada capítulo. Como usuaria avanzada de GTD, este libro me ha recordado el por qué hago lo que hago y me ha motivado a pulir algunas partes de mi sistema. Estoy segura de que lo voy a releer muchas veces.

Eso sí, creo que si aún no supiera cómo usar GTD no me habría aportado tanto.

This is a great book whether you work, volunteer, stay-at-home, or some combination. The chapters are very short and to the point. Each one quickly summarizes a skill or technique that can be used to improve productivity and simplify life.

I did not read his very popular book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity before this one, but I am planning to go back and read it. Allen has a very conversationalist style that makes reading about productivity and organization easy and interesting.

Allen emphasizes the importance of organized productivity as a way to increase creativity and performance. He talks often about creating structures that work for you rather than ones that you try to make work.

I definitely recommend this book. I found lots of great information I can use at home and in my roles in the Junior League of Atlanta. He has a lot to offer in a very short book!