Getting Things Done (GTD®) Podcast — Ep. 350: Someday Maybe Lists
Originally aired: February 18, 2026
Host: John Forrester
Guest: Ana Maria Gonzalez

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on two fundamental pillars of GTD® practice: the Projects list and the Someday Maybe list. Ana Maria Gonzalez leads a practical, hands-on session designed to help listeners deepen their understanding of these lists, why they matter, how to maintain them, and how to use them to relieve mental pressure and support stress-free productivity. The conversation covers definitions, best practices, and actionable tips, with plenty of encouragement to personalize approaches and make the system fluid and guilt-free.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Projects in GTD

[02:29 – 07:40]

• What makes something a “project”?
  • Projects are defined as “multi-step outcomes achievable within a timeframe up to a year.”
  • Ana Maria emphasizes the broadness and flexibility of the definition, explaining it’s “anything you’re committed to that one action will not finish, or one sitting won’t finish” ([03:24]).
• The importance of externalizing projects:
  • If projects aren’t captured in a trusted system, they will “distract you and most likely redirect you, which is even more dangerous before you finish” ([04:03]).
• Weekly Review Driver:
  • Projects become the “driver list of your weekly review” ([05:04]).
  • Projects need to be reviewed regularly—even the ones that seem trivial—if they’re not self-evident, to prevent mental clutter.

“If you don’t have a placeholder or a bookmark, a place where you’re actually tracking that outcome, then… you’re going to get distracted by it.” – Ana Maria ([04:18])

2. What Is a Projects List?

[07:40 – 09:40]

• Simple definition:
  • It's an “inventory of all your currently active projects” ([08:16]).
  • Should only contain active projects—titles, not detailed steps.
• Personalization tips:
  • Use a descriptive verb in each project entry (e.g., “Plan trip to Paris”) ([08:34]).
  • Average number held? Between 30 and 100 projects, but “it’s not dramatic if you have that number or not” ([08:46]).

3. Understanding the Someday Maybe List

[09:40 – 14:12]

• Definition and difference from Projects:
  • Someday Maybe contains “all potential projects or actions you’re not yet committed to move on” ([10:01]).
  • List is for “things I am interested in, but not moving on,” or a “not right now list” ([10:18]).
• Key benefits:
  • A powerful tool to “relieve unneeded pressure,” making it a “guilt-free list” ([11:23]).
  • Enables exploration and creative thinking without obligation.

“It’s a guilt-free list kind of thing. It’s an excellent category to relieve unneeded pressure.” – Ana Maria ([11:23])

• Organizing the list:
  • Can be divided by timeline (week-to-week, quarter, year, dreams, wild ideas).
  • Helps keep the Projects list from becoming overwhelming by moving non-immediate items to Someday Maybe.

4. Mining for Projects: Where Projects Hide

[13:00 – 20:54] Ana Maria encourages listeners to discover “hidden” projects by looking in three main areas:

1. Current Activities:
   • Recent mind sweeps, calendar, next actions, agendas, even physical spaces like briefcases or home/work office might reveal uncaptured projects.
2. Higher Horizons:
   • Areas of focus/responsibility may suggest new projects.
   • Sometimes areas are “on cruise control,” but often they point to outcomes needing attention.
3. Others (Subtle Projects):
   • “Problems or issues you’d like to resolve,” “creative opportunities,” or “processes/procedures to improve.”
   • Confidence-building, learning goals, and even relationship problems can all be mined here.

“Anything you might want to get off your mind with some action can turn potentially into a research or even ‘look into’ project.” – Ana Maria ([20:30])

5. Clarifying Actionability: Projects vs. Someday Maybe

[19:12 – 21:30]

• Use verbs like “look into” or “research” for projects that aren’t fully defined or actionable yet.
• It’s okay to move an item between lists as your engagement changes.
• Example: You may not be ready to resolve an issue with a colleague—so “someday maybe get along with John again” is perfectly fine.

6. Four Key Values of the Projects List

[21:04]

• Control and focus
• Perspective
• Relationship management
• Core map of the weekly review

Knowing why you keep a Projects list clarifies its ongoing relevance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why projects must be tracked:
  “What matters is if it’s a multi-step outcome achievable within a timeframe of up to a year. So anything as small as ‘repair my watch’ all the way to ‘buy a company’—if it meets this definition, then it goes on your projects list.” – Ana Maria ([07:06])

• On the Someday Maybe list:
  “My not right now list… It’s a guilt-free list kind of thing. Right.” – Ana Maria ([10:18])

• On working with fluid projects:
  “The person that you’re today, you may not be the same in five minutes—let alone a week. So moving things around, it’s very appropriate.” – Ana Maria ([22:27])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction & Overview: [00:11 – 02:26]
• Defining Projects in GTD: [02:29 – 07:40]
• Explaining the Projects List: [07:40 – 09:40]
• Introduction to Someday Maybe Lists: [09:40 – 14:12]
• Mining for Projects: [13:00 – 20:54]
• Actionability and Moving Between Lists: [19:12 – 22:26]
• Wrap Up & Encouragement: [22:26 – 22:47]

Tone and Advice

Ana Maria’s approach is practical, kind, and permission-giving. She urges listeners to “feel free” to move things fluidly as their priorities and commitments evolve. There is a warm, encouraging tone throughout, reinforcing the idea that these lists should serve you, not guilt you.

Summary Takeaways

• Keep your Projects list current, actionable, and regularly reviewed.
• Use the Someday Maybe list freely to park ideas, relieve stress, and avoid mental overload.
• Regularly mine your environment and higher-level focuses for hidden projects.
• Allow yourself and your system to be flexible—move items as your circumstances or inclination changes.
• Leverage the weekly review to maintain engagement and perspective.

For GTD® beginners and veterans alike, this episode provides grounding in the essential distinction between “now” and “not now,” while supplying actionable strategies to keep both lists meaningful, guilt-free, and supportive of a calm, productive life.