If you’ve ever searched for a way to get more organised, reduce stress, or feel less overwhelmed, there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled across Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen.
It’s a classic.
And for good reason—it’s helped millions of people worldwide clear mental clutter and stay on top of their commitments.
But if you’ve ever tried to implement GTD and felt like you needed a second brain (and a full-time admin assistant) just to keep up with it… you’re not alone.
That’s where DROP comes in.
Because while GTD gave us the foundation, DROP takes it further by making it simple, sustainable, and built for the realities of modern business life.
Let’s compare them fairly—and then show you why more and more people are choosing DROP.
What is Getting Things Done (GTD)?
GTD is a methodology created by David Allen that’s based on one central idea:
“Your brain is for having ideas, not holding them.”
The system revolves around capturing everything in your head, processing it, organising it into contexts and projects, reviewing it regularly, and then taking the right next actions.
It’s detailed. It’s comprehensive. And for some people, it’s a game-changer.
But for many business owners and fast-moving professionals, GTD can feel like a second job.
Because it’s not just a to-do list—it’s an entire ecosystem.
Where GTD Shines
Let’s give credit where it’s due. GTD excels in several areas:
- Capture everything – GTD is fantastic at helping you build the habit of writing everything down. It clears mental clutter fast.
- Contextual organisation – It encourages you to organise tasks based on context (e.g. @phone, @office, @computer), which can boost efficiency in the right environments.
- Clear next actions – It trains you to break tasks down into clear, specific next steps, so you’re never stuck wondering what to do.
- Weekly reviews – GTD insists on a weekly review process, which helps prevent tasks from slipping through the cracks.
If you’re deeply analytical, process-oriented, and love systems—you might thrive with GTD.
But here’s the thing…
Most people don’t live in ideal conditions.
Most people don’t want 43 folders.
Most people don’t have the bandwidth to run a NASA-grade system just to plan their week.
That’s why DROP exists.
Where DROP Simplifies—and Strengthens—the Process
DROP doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It evolves it.
Where GTD can feel complex and rigid, DROP strips things back to the essentials.
DROP
- Dump
- Review
- Offload
- Plan
That’s it.
Every week, you:
- Dump everything out of your head
- Review what matters most
- Offload what’s not yours to carry
- Plan your week with clarity and structure
It’s quick.
It’s flexible.
It’s repeatable.
No endless project lists.
No over-categorising.
No complicated contexts or tech requirements.
DROP is GTD’s straight-talking younger cousin—same values, less maintenance.
Where GTD Can Overwhelm, DROP Keeps It Grounded
Here’s the honest truth: GTD can overwhelm even the most organised people.
- It’s heavy on taxonomy
- It can become an obsession with the system itself
- It’s easy to fall behind, then feel guilty for not “doing it properly”
With DROP?
There is no “perfect way.”
There’s just one rule: Use it every week.
DROP doesn’t care what tool you use.
It doesn’t require a certain number of folders or lists.
It flexes with you—because life is messy, and business doesn’t follow your plans.
That’s the difference.
DROP doesn’t ask for perfection.
It gives you permission to get messy, reset, and move forward every week.
GTD Is Great for Control. DROP Is Better for Momentum.
If you love detail and structure, GTD can give you a deep sense of control.
But if you need to move fast, lead a team, juggle multiple roles, and still have a life—momentum beats control every time.
DROP helps you:
- Get the right things done
- Leave space for unexpected demands
- Delegate and offload with confidence
- Avoid overwhelm
- Protect your evenings and weekends
- Focus on the needle-movers
It’s not that GTD doesn’t work.
It’s that it often works better for solo operators with time to spare—not for business owners fighting fires at scale.
So… Which One Actually Works?
Here’s the honest answer:
The one you’ll actually use.
GTD is solid—but can be overcomplicated.
DROP is simple—but powerful enough to scale.
If you’ve tried GTD and found yourself falling off…
If you want a system that takes minutes, not hours…
If you want weekly structure that clears your head, protects your time, and drives real momentum…
Then DROP is for you.
The Verdict? Respect to GTD. But DROP Is Built for Right Now.
We’re not here to tear other systems down.
GTD has earned its place in productivity history.
But DROP?
DROP is built for business owners who want control without complexity.
Structure without rigidity.
Momentum without burnout.
And most importantly—results, not just routines.
Ready to Make the Switch?
- Buy the book – Control Your Time or Stay Stuck: You Choose
- Join the DROP System training and start using the only system built for your real-life chaos—not some theoretical utopia
Because if GTD made you feel guilty…
DROP will make you feel powerful.
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