Today I was frustrated with the time it is taking to get a refund from PacSun for something I ordered online for Christmas.  I have been following up on this issue for over 30 days! So I’m turning the energy of the frustration into a constructive blog post…..

How is your follow through?  Whether you have to follow up on projects, employees, homework, or refunds – do you have a system in place to remind you?  My all time favorite tool for this purpose is the tickler file!  I know you were expecting me to talk about some iPhone app but the tickler is a tried and true method, so I use it.  Even the GTD expert, David Allen, uses a tickler file.  Here’s a photo of his product:

In my example of following up with PacSun for a refund, here’s how I used the tickler:

• Jan 15th – called phone number on packing slip and was told it takes 2 weeks for refund.
• Put packing slip in the tickler under “27″
• Jan 27 – called customer service again and was promised an email in 48 hours
• Put packing slip in the tickler under “2″
• Feb 2nd – no email, called PacSun to find out refund was being processed
• Put packing slip back in the tickler under “5″
• Feb 5th – Called PacSun and demanded to speak to the President of the company (oh, yes I did!)
• Feb 5th – Received a personal phone call telling me the refund was processed and gave me a confirmation number.
• Puting packing slip in tickler under “9′  and on that day I will check my bank account for the credit to my account.

This was very easy to follow up because the packing slip was moved each time to the “next action” date and I just made a call every time I saw the packing slip.  Of course, you have to look in your tickler file once a day.  It’s called an organized habit!

I have started to listen to Making It All Work, by David Allen. Yes, I said listen as I downloaded the audiobook. It’s a great way to “get things done” (hehe), no really I can listen as I drive. I am already well into chapter 2 and here are the first nuggets I have harvested:

• GTD (Getting Things Done – the methodology) is not just about email and filing solutions, it has underlying principles that you can use in all areas of your life.
• GTD is not a system, but a systematic approach. Therefore you can adapt it to your “system”.
• Before beginning to organize something, you must capture and then clarify. David Allen recommends starting with what he calls a “reality inventory”.
• Change often evokes stress. Are you confident that you can deal with change?
• GTD works for everyone. As we all desire more freedom, not more work.

David Allen – Making It All Work

David Allen is well known for Getting Things Done- his best selling productivity book that has helped millions. He has now published another book called Making It All Work. It is the new success building tool kit for 2009! Click the link above to hear David Allen give an interview about this amazing new book!

Talks about:

• what’s on your mind: the bottlenecks and the holding tank
• being responsible to manage what’s going on in your head
• being addicted to stress
• the need for mental intelligence
• 5 things you need to do to get control
• 6 horizons of focus

Stay tuned in the coming weeks as I deliver tidbits from Making It All Work!