Glossary Next Action
Next Action
Also known as:
next actions, next physical actionProductivityMethodology
Definition
In GTD, the single, physical, visible thing that has to happen next to move something forward — not the outcome, the next step toward it
"Plan the migration" is a project; "email Sam for the estate inventory" is a next action. Allen's test: could you do it right now, with no further thinking about what to do? A stuck project almost always has an undefined next action.
The difference between a list you avoid and a list you work. Outcomes go on the project list; the next action is the one line you can actually start.