How to Embrace Your "Mind Like Water" With GTD

Join us for GTD Café on August 5, 2025, as we explore one of the most inspiring and powerful metaphors in the Getting Things Done® methodology—Mind Like Water. What does it truly mean to cultivate a calm, clear, and focused mind amid the chaos of modern life? In this session, we’ll discuss how GTD enables you to respond to your world with grace, clarity, and purpose instead of reactivity. Whether you’re new to the idea or revisiting this GTD principle, this conversation will help you reconnect with the "why" behind the method—and walk away with practical steps to experience more peace of mind, more often.

N.B. We're meeting a little earlier in the month than usual because I'll be away on travel the following week.

Please log in between at least few minutes early to get your audio/video working, mix-and-mingle, and complete the Challenges Forum signup form so we can start promptly!

0. Joining the Virtual Meeting Room & Mix-and-Mingle (5:45 PM - 6:00 PM)
Please note that you will join this Meetup via Zoom.us, a free, Web-based meeting and phone conferencing software. You need to have a microphone and speakers working on your computer or laptop to connect by computer/laptop/mobile device with high-speed Internet access. For the best experience, instead of speakers, we suggest using headphones (the kind you plug into the 35mm audio jack in your computer or laptop) if you have a pair.
You can join the Zoom meeting by PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android.
There is a backup phone option for audio, if you cannot connect by audio through your computer or laptop over your Internet connection.
To join the Zoom Meeting, visit the link in this event and type your name when it asks. If you cannot join by computer audio, there is an option when you launch the meeting to dial-in by phone.
I suggest you visit https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting to download the "Zoom Client for Meetings" on your PC, Mac or Linux computer/laptop, or https://zoom.us/download#mobile_app for the iOS and Android OS device mobile app links, prior to the meeting. If you would like to familiarize yourself with Zoom or need further help joining the meeting, please visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting.)

I. Introductions + Challenges Forum (~6:05 PM)
A. Introductions - Each member will introduce yourself briefly, tell us what you do professionally (or otherwise), your GTD experience, and a recent success with your productivity implementation and/or life.
B. Challenges Forum - We'll give a few minutes to have the group help each member with solutions to challenges we may be facing currently with life or work circumstances with our productivity system. These are specific productivity challenges and only one challenge per member for time's sake.
* * * Please complete the Challenges Forum form here: https://forms.gle/4Eg73yoKmig75Qqf6 * * *

II. How to Embrace Your “Mind Like Water” With GTD
In this discussion, we’ll unpack what “Mind Like Water” really means in practical terms—and how GTD helps us get there. It’s not about being Zen all the time—it’s about being appropriately engaged, ready for whatever comes your way.

We’ll cover:

• The origin of the “Mind Like Water” metaphor—and how it reflects a productive mindset.
• Why “psychic RAM” is the enemy of focus, and how to reclaim mental bandwidth.
• How the Five Steps of GTD (Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, and Engage) work together to reduce friction and increase resilience.
• The difference between a reactive mind and a responsive one—and how to shift from the former to the latter.
• Practical ways to create more space in your day-to-day so you can respond with intention.

Bring a journal or note-taking tool and your copy of Getting Things Done [https://amzn.to/3c8jKNA]—and let’s explore how this powerful mindset can change the way you work and live.

III. GTD Resource Sharing (7:20 PM)
This is where everyone can offer a book title, recent blog or magazine article, tip/trick/hack, tool, service or item that has helped them in their life either with GTD or otherwise.

IV. Announcements / Closing Remarks (7:25 PM)