Episode Overview

Title: Ep. 332: Praise for the Last Minute
Podcast: Getting Things Done (GTD®)
Release Date: October 15, 2025

This episode explores the counterintuitive power and utility of “the last minute”—how working under a tight deadline can spark productivity, focus, and even creativity. The host reflects on personal experiences and the collective GTD journey, highlighting cycles of learning and continual self-improvement within the GTD system and community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Value of the Last Minute (00:10–04:42)

• Reframing the Last Minute:

  • The host begins by challenging the stigma around last-minute work, sharing how, in some situations, urgent deadlines can enhance performance.
  • Notable quote:

    "The last minute is not always the worst time to do something … His work is better then—it's more focused, more creative, more inspired. Because of the time constraint he’s allowed himself to get into."
    — Host A (00:22)

• Real-Life Example: Packing for a Trip

  • The host reveals a personal "productivity hack": only needing 30 minutes to pack for a trip, regardless of complexity.

  • By working backwards from a desired “gate time,” packing is squeezed into an efficient, no-nonsense burst.

  • Extending the time allowed does not noticeably improve the result, but does increase stress and second-guessing.

  • Notable quote:

    "If I gave myself more time to pack, I would take it. Packing. Actually, not packing. Deciding what to pack … and if I give myself twice as long to pack, I don't wind up packing twice as good, maybe 3% better."
    — Host A (01:33)

• Strategic Delays in Business & Politics

  • Sometimes, it's smartest to wait until the last possible moment to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Reference: Lord Falkland’s maxim—“When it is not necessary to make a decision, it is necessary not to make a decision.”
  • The distinction is drawn between strategic procrastination and avoidant behavior.
  • Notable quote:

    "To move it from the category of sloth, indolence, procrastination, and at least minor stupidity to one of elegantly planned and coordinated high performance behavior requires two things. First, know how many minutes the last minute takes, and second, make it absolutely fine with yourself as a conscious choice…"
    — Host A (03:45)

• Candid Self-Reflection

  • The host admits that sometimes, last-minute efforts don't feel great, and not all outcomes are ideal—but such experiences help develop awareness and personal effectiveness.

The Cycles of GTD Practice (04:42–end)

• GTD as a Cyclical Journey

  • GTD users move through cycles: initial inspiration, overwhelm, plateau, and renewed learning.

  • Many newcomers feel daunted by the abundance of material; eventually, the system becomes a comfort zone, and then users may become resources for others.

  • Notable quote:

    "All of us with this GTD methodology … go through cycles. You know, I still go through cycles myself. Initially, there's kind of the inspiration and there's a lot of material to ingest … it's like walking into a library—oh, gee, where do I start?"
    — Host B (04:55)

• Returning to the Fundamentals

  • Over time, it's valuable to revisit foundational methods and tools. Like rereading a manual for new features, returning to core GTD resources can yield fresh insights.
  • Personal example: Learning Microsoft Word—each re-reading reveals new possibilities.
  • Notable quote:

    "A good example of that right here, the manual for this camera that's taking this picture right now. Initially I read this, got it all set up … everything was onto cruise control … then, of course, as I started to get more sophisticated in terms of the stuff I wanted to do, got more inspired … I went, oh, God, I didn’t realize I could do that."
    — Host B (05:34)

• The Goldmine of GTD Connect

  • The GTD Connect platform is described as a deep resource library, valuable at any stage—users are encouraged to keep exploring, as every revisit can spark new growth.
  • Notable quote:

    "Many people have read Getting Things Done more than three or four times, and every time they read it, they get something new out of it."
    — Host B (06:45)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On Strategic Procrastination:
  "Know how many minutes the last minute takes, and ... make it absolutely fine with yourself as a conscious choice." — Host A (03:55)

• On Learning Plateaus:
  "You may find yourself at that point also finding yourself saying, gee, I'm now becoming a resource of this methodology for people around me." — Host B (05:23)

• On Rediscovering GTD:
  "There's more than meets the eye in there." — Host B (07:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:10–04:42: The value and dynamics of last-minute work; personal and business examples.
• 04:42–07:05: Evolution of the GTD journey; cycles of learning and the ongoing usefulness of GTD Connect.

Summary

This episode turns the traditional view of last-minute work on its head, arguing for both its effectiveness (when done with awareness) and its strategic value in some contexts, while also affirming that productivity is a personal journey marked by cycles. Packed with anecdotes and practical wisdom, it encourages listeners to embrace their own rhythms, keep returning to their tools and resources, and continue growing within the GTD community.