#139: Stop The Overwhelm: Veterinary Productivity Secrets from the Getting Things Done Master. With David Allen cover art

#139: Stop The Overwhelm: Veterinary Productivity Secrets from the Getting Things Done Master. With David Allen

#139: Stop The Overwhelm: Veterinary Productivity Secrets from the Getting Things Done Master. With David Allen

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

Veterinary practice can be unpredictable, exhausting, and full of interruptions - not that conducive to getting things done, right? But what if you could handle it all with mind-like-water calm?

In this episode I pick the brain of productivity legend David Allen, creator of Getting Things Done (GTD), to show you exactly how. This isn’t about squeezing more into your day — it’s about cutting mental clutter, regaining focus, and feeling in control, even when it all hits the fan.You'll learn simple, actionable GTD strategies that busy vets can use today:

Master the 5 GTD steps for veterinary practice:

  • Capture: Never lose track of to-dos in a busy clinic again
  • Clarify: Break down complex patient tasks into clear next steps
  • Organise: Build bulletproof systems your whole team can trust
  • Reflect: Create powerful review routines for team rounds and personal clarity
  • Engage: Focus on what matters, when it matters

Beat interruptions without losing your mind

  • Why task-switching drains your brain — and what to do instead.
  • The simple tools that keep you sane and focused.
  • How to ‘park’ distractions and re-engage fast.

Transform team rounds and communication

  • The secret to closing open loops (and reducing anxiety for everyone)
  • How structured reflection makes complex caseloads manageable
  • Balancing roles and flexibility for smooth team dynamics


Join us for Vets On Tour Wānaka, New Zealand, 10-15 August 2025. Limited Early Bird Tickets on sale now.

Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vvn.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get help with your tricky cases in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Specialist Support Space.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

V⁠⁠isit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thevetvault.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for show notes and resources related to this episode.⁠

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.

Topics and Timestamps

03:09 Mind Like Water: The Key to Clarity

05:15 Challenges in Veterinary Productivity

20:33 Practical Tips for Capturing Tasks

28:58 Managing Multiple Projects and Tasks

29:26 The Importance of Knowing the Next Step

30:14 Dealing with Task Shifting and Interruptions

32:25 Organizing Physical and Mental Spaces

35:43 Team Dynamics and Productivity

38:02 Effective Rounds42:20 Balancing Defined Roles and Flexibility

47:35 Book recommendations

48:49 Pass along question

What listeners say about #139: Stop The Overwhelm: Veterinary Productivity Secrets from the Getting Things Done Master. With David Allen

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.