Podcast Summary

Getting Things Done Ep. 300: GTD Makerspace

Release Date: March 5, 2025
Host: John Forester (A)
Guest: Patrick Russell (B), Founder of Factory 3

Overview

In episode 300 of the "Getting Things Done" podcast, host John Forester talks with Patrick Russell, founder of Factory 3—a Portland, Maine makerspace. The episode explores how Patrick used GTD (Getting Things Done) to manage the complexity of running a bustling makerspace, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and empower a creative community. The conversation covers practical GTD habits, the versatility of spreadsheet-based systems, the essence of being a “maker,” and the culture of collaboration in shared workshops.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Patrick Russell & Factory 3

• Location and Setting
  • Patrick greets listeners from Portland, Maine, describing it as a sunny morning.
• Factory 3 Origins
  • Factory 3 is a makerspace: a communal workshop with wood, metal, sewing, digital fabrication, and fiber arts spaces. Large industrial equipment is available for members (09:12).
• Purpose:
  • To provide access to tools and a creative community, similar to a gym or coworking space.

2. Discovering GTD amid Overwhelm

• Pre-GTD Challenges
  • Patrick started Factory 3 without GTD, but quickly became overwhelmed by the many demands and projects (02:21).
  • “Factory 3 is, I would say, the most complicated thing I’ve ever done in my life.” (02:39)
• How He Found GTD
  • A Google search for “business systems or productivity systems” led him to GTD through an article—the beginning of a transformative journey (02:58).
• Impact on Life Balance
  • GTD helped Patrick ensure Factory 3 didn’t become his whole life, allowing him to truly relax when not at work (04:01).
  • “Trusting that everything is organized and waiting for me when I get back. The system has allowed me to do that.” (04:22)

3. GTD Tools and System Evolution

• Sticking with Familiar Tools
  • Patrick uses Excel spreadsheets (for actions, projects, someday/maybe, goals) and Apple Calendar for appointments and daily reviews (05:33–06:37).
  • “I'm using the same tools I was using before I found GTD... But I'm using them a bit differently.” (05:33)
• Why Spreadsheets Work
  • Spreadsheets offer flexibility—sorting, filtering, and customizing lists without app-imposed constraints (06:37–07:29).
  • “I like the simplicity of it... I like it better just being able to use it the way I want to.” (07:05)
• Platform Loyalty
  • Patrick is an enthusiastic Mac user both personally and in Factory 3, attracting similar users in the community (07:55–08:46).

4. Factory 3: A Makerspace for All

• What Is a Makerspace?
  • An LLC providing shared access to equipment and workspace (09:12).
  • Analogous to a gym membership: expensive equipment, maintenance, and training are shared.
• Who is a Maker?
  • Makers range from jewelers and candle-makers to digital creatives and those building tiny homes (10:42–13:38).
  • “I would say everyone is a maker in all different ways.” (10:42)
  • Memorable detail: The presence of a candle-maker creates the “nicest smelling makerspace in the world” (11:35).
• Scale of Projects
  • Factory 3 spans 5,000 square feet, supporting projects from jewelry to a tiny house (12:39–13:49).
  • Outdoor space is used for oversized undertakings: “She’ll work in the wood shop... then carry that out to the tiny home to install it.” (13:27–13:38)

5. Equipment and Training as Barriers and Enablers

• Access & Support
  • Advanced equipment (laser cutters, 3D printers) isn’t just about access, but also maintenance and safety education (14:22–15:29).
  • “A big part of what we provide is not just the equipment, but the training and knowledge to use it.” (14:48)

6. Patrick’s Personal Maker Journey

• Early Exposure
  • Grew up crafting in his dad’s wood shop.
• Discovery of Makerspaces
  • Joined a makerspace to work on a vintage motorcycle, unexpectedly expanding his skills into welding and machining (15:40–17:11).
  • “Just being in that space around other makers showed me things that are possible that I didn’t think I could do.” (16:42)
• Starting Factory 3
  • After moving to Portland, Patrick created Factory 3 to fill a local gap in creative, communal workshop spaces (17:13–17:33).
• Material Fascination
  • Initially “blocked” about working with metal, access to equipment and community changed his perspective:
    • “Anyone that lives near a makerspace, go take the intro to welding class... That’s all you need to learn MiG welding.” (19:28–19:30)

7. Sharing GTD with the Community

• GTD as an Enabler
  • Patrick credits GTD with allowing a one-person team (plus part-timers) to run the complex space:
    • “The system I really feel allows it to be possible to just keep track of everything that needs to be done.” (20:51)
• Interest from Others
  • While some ask about his systems, makers aren’t widely using GTD—yet Patrick remains an evangelist (20:51).

8. Closing Reflections

• Gratitude for GTD

  • Patrick expresses deep thanks for the life-changing impact of GTD on work/life balance:
    • “It’s definitely been life changing for me. It’s definitely put me in a lot better place—with work, life balance, and just being able to do the things that are important to me.” (22:14)

• John Forester’s Key Takeaway

  • “People think it’s about the lists and doing what’s on the list, but it’s more about freeing up your mind and your space so you can be present with whatever you’re doing.” (22:45)

• Interest in the GTD Community

  • Patrick is eager to attend summits or summer camps, wanting to connect with other GTD practitioners (23:28).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Balance:
  "Trusting that everything is organized and waiting for me when I get back. The system has allowed me to do that."
  — Patrick Russell [04:22]

• On Making:
  “I would say everyone is a maker in, you know, in all different ways.”
  — Patrick Russell [10:42]

• On the Scent of Factory 3:
  “We have a candle maker, who makes scented candles. I like to brag that we have the nicest smelling makerspace in the world.”
  — Patrick Russell [11:35]

• On Metalworking:
  “Anyone that lives near a makerspace, go take the intro to welding class. Most makerspaces have it. … That’s all you need to learn MiG welding...”
  — Patrick Russell [19:28–19:30]

• On GTD Impact:
  “It’s definitely been life-changing for me…just being able to do the things that are important to me.”
  — Patrick Russell [22:14]

• On GTD’s Purpose:
  “People think it’s about the lists and doing what’s on the list, but it’s more about freeing up your mind…and your space so that you can be present with whatever you’re doing.”
  — John Forester [22:45]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–02:05: Introductions, Portland and Factory 3 origins
• 02:06–04:30: Patrick’s GTD discovery and initial overwhelm
• 05:17–07:29: Tools used—spreadsheets, Apple Calendar, Mac ecosystem
• 09:12–11:45: What is Factory 3? The breadth of “maker”
• 12:39–13:49: Scale of projects—rings to tiny homes
• 14:22–15:29: High-tech equipment, safety, and training
• 15:40–17:33: Patrick’s personal maker journey
• 19:28–19:30: Accessibility of working with metal
• 20:51–21:43: GTD as the secret sauce to managing complexity solo
• 22:14–22:45: Life change and gratitude for GTD
• 23:28–24:18: Interest in connecting with the GTD community

Conclusion

In this episode, Patrick Russell’s story illustrates how GTD can be a foundational support for highly creative, complex, and collaborative work—enabling not only efficiency but also a more balanced, fulfilling life. From managing the “toy shop for grownups” that is Factory 3, to convincing listeners that everyone can be a maker, Patrick is both a GTD success story and an ambassador for making creativity more accessible—with lists, balance, and plenty of scented candles.

Learn More:

• Factory 3: factory3.org
• GTD Community Resources: GTD Connect