# Quote — David Allen, Getting Things Done

> Most often, the reason something is "on your mind" is that you want it to be different than it currently is, and yet:
>
> • you haven't clarified exactly what the intended outcomes is;
>
> • you haven't decided what the very next physical action step is;
>
> • and/or you haven't put reminders of the outcome and the action required in a system you trust.
>
> That's why it's on your mind.

- Author: [David Allen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen.md)
- Book: [Getting Things Done](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Allen#Getting_Things_Done:_The_Art_of_Stress-Free_Productivity_(2001)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done/most-often-the

## More from this book

> [Y]ou must have a clear picture in your mind of what success would look, sound, and feel like.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done/y-ou-must-have.md)

> It's great to clear your psychic decks so you can go into the weekend ready for refreshment and recreation, with nothing on your mind.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done/its-great-to-clear.md)

> The organizing system merely provides placeholders for all your oprn loops and options so your mind can... make the necessary intuitive, moment-to-moment strategic decisions.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done/the-organizing-system.md)