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How to Implement the Getting Things Done (GTD) Method in Notion

Love the GTD method but can't find the right tool? This step-by-step guide shows you how to build a perfect, functional GTD system in Notion from scra

You Love the Philosophy. But What About the Tool?

You've read David Allen's book. You understand the power of "mind like water." You believe in the GTD method's promise: a trusted system that frees your brain from remembering and lets you focus on doing.

But here's the problem: every to-do app feels too rigid, and every project manager feels bloated for a pure GTD implementation.

Notion changes this. Its flexibility makes it the perfect digital canvas for GTD. This guide will show you how to build a clean, functional GTD dashboard that finally does the methodology justice—no compromises, no workarounds.

A Quick Refresher: The 5 Core Steps of GTD

Before we build, let's establish the foundation. David Allen's Getting Things Done method rests on five pillars:

  1. Capture – Collect everything demanding your attention.
  2. Clarify – Process what each item means.
  3. Organize – Put items in the right categories.
  4. Reflect – Review your system regularly.
  5. Engage – Choose and execute actions with confidence.

Each step requires specific infrastructure. Let's build it.

Building Your GTD Engine in Notion, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Build the Three Core Databases

First, we'll create the three separate "engines" of our system. Think of these as our raw materials.

  1. The Inbox Database: Create a new full-page database, name it "Inbox", and keep it simple with just one "Name" property. This is for quick capture.
  2. The Projects Database: Create another full-page database, name it "Projects". Add a "Status" property (Select type) with options: Active, On Hold, Completed.
  3. The Master Actions Database: Create a third full-page database, name it "Master Actions". Add these properties:
    • Status (Select): Next Action | Waiting For | Someday/Maybe
    • Context (Select): @Computer | @Calls | @Errands (customize to your life).
    • Due Date (Date): Only for hard deadlines.

At this point, you have three separate, unconnected databases. Now for the magic.

Step 2: Connect the Engine with "Relations"

This is where your databases start talking to each other.

  1. Go to your Master Actions database.
  2. Click the "+" to add a new property.
  3. For the property type, scroll down and select "Relation".
  4. A menu will pop up. Select your "Projects" database.
  5. Notion will ask if you want to create a two-way relation. Click "Add Relation".

That's it! You've just created a "Project" property in your Master Actions database and an "Actions" property in your Projects database, and they are now perfectly linked.

Creating a Relation property in Notion to link the Master Actions and Projects databases.

Step 3: Design Your GTD Dashboard

Now, let's bring everything together into one command center.

  1. Create a new, empty page and name it "GTD Dashboard". Pin this to your sidebar.
  2. On this blank page, type the slash command /linked view of database.
  3. A menu will appear. Select your "Inbox" database. A copy of your Inbox now appears on your dashboard.
  4. Repeat this process. Type /linked view again and select your "Master Actions" database.
  5. On this new linked view, use the "Filter" and "Group" options to create your action lists. For example, create a view named "Next Actions" and set a filter where `Status is Next Action`, then group it by `Context`.
  6. Do the same for your "Projects" database to show only active projects.

Your dashboard is now a dynamic control panel, not just a static page.

The final GTD Dashboard in Notion showing linked views of Inbox, Next Actions, and Projects.

Step 4: Create Your Weekly Review Template

The power of GTD comes from the Weekly Review ritual. In Notion, create a new page named "Weekly Review Template" with checkboxes for each review step (Empty Inbox, Review Projects, etc.). Use this template every week to ensure your system stays trustworthy.

The Processing Workflow: From Inbox to Action

To make GTD work, you must process your Inbox to zero daily. For each item, ask the clarifying questions (Is it actionable? Does it take under 2 minutes? etc.) and move it from the Inbox to its correct place in your Master Actions or Projects databases.

The Ultimate Shortcut: A Pre-Built GTD Foundation

The Pro-Tip Shortcut:
The core components of a GTD system—an inbox (Quick Notes), a project list (Projects Dashboard), and an actions database—are already the foundation of my Ultimate Freelancer OS. Download it for free and adapt it into a full GTD system in half the time.

Common GTD-in-Notion Pitfalls

  • Over-engineering: Keep it simple. Don't add properties you won't use.
  • Skipping the Weekly Review: Your system will fail without this. Block the time.
  • Artificial due dates: Only use dates for genuine deadlines.

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Finally, a System You Can Trust

David Allen's promise with GTD is profound: when you trust your system completely, your mind is free to focus on *doing*. Notion gives you the flexibility to build that trusted system exactly the way GTD intended.

That feeling of clarity? That's "mind like water."

For more on the official methodology, visit the Getting Things Done website.