For me, (GTD'er) the Next Action lists simplifies what needs to be done at any moment. If you think about it, it is really just a filter:
Show me what things I can do where I am right now that will move any of my projects along.
The other thing to point out from a GTD perspective is the two other factors when actually getting to the "doing" of things.
1. Time
2. Energy
That is why priority isn't a factor in GTD. You could have a tiny amount of time and very little energy but under your high priority list is a BIG ITEM that would take lots of both.
In GTD, you use context to figure out what you CAN do and use Time and Energy to filter down on that list.
Example: In the morning, I have high energy and an hour at the office so I hit my "Office" context to see what is there. I see a few 5-10 minute things, but since I have big energy (lots of coffee) I pick out that one that is about 50 minutes worth of work. The opposite of that is on a Friday afternoon after lunch. I am low energy and wanting to get going on the weekend so I pick a low energy task from my "Internet" context possibly about posting something or just checking up on the OmniGroup forums. :)
Example: I am walking down the street heading to meet the wife out to dinner. I can't do much (although the iPhone helps) so I flip over to my "Calls" context and see a few calls that I could make. A few of them could turn in to lengthy discussions so I go to another that is just a quick change of appointment. After I make that call, I still have a little time to I go to my "Google" context and see if there is anything I can quickly lookup before I get to the restaurant.
With priority, I would have been stuck in those situations looking at the highest priority task which most likely couldn't be done in those two situations.
BZ
Show me what things I can do where I am right now that will move any of my projects along.
The other thing to point out from a GTD perspective is the two other factors when actually getting to the "doing" of things.
1. Time
2. Energy
That is why priority isn't a factor in GTD. You could have a tiny amount of time and very little energy but under your high priority list is a BIG ITEM that would take lots of both.
In GTD, you use context to figure out what you CAN do and use Time and Energy to filter down on that list.
Example: In the morning, I have high energy and an hour at the office so I hit my "Office" context to see what is there. I see a few 5-10 minute things, but since I have big energy (lots of coffee) I pick out that one that is about 50 minutes worth of work. The opposite of that is on a Friday afternoon after lunch. I am low energy and wanting to get going on the weekend so I pick a low energy task from my "Internet" context possibly about posting something or just checking up on the OmniGroup forums. :)
Example: I am walking down the street heading to meet the wife out to dinner. I can't do much (although the iPhone helps) so I flip over to my "Calls" context and see a few calls that I could make. A few of them could turn in to lengthy discussions so I go to another that is just a quick change of appointment. After I make that call, I still have a little time to I go to my "Google" context and see if there is anything I can quickly lookup before I get to the restaurant.
With priority, I would have been stuck in those situations looking at the highest priority task which most likely couldn't be done in those two situations.
BZ