Comparison of Two Books: Circle of Simplicity vs. Getting Things Done sample essay

The two books that I am going to compare are mainly aimed at increasing productivity and removing stresses. While many Americans’ main goal is to do as many productive things as possible, the authors of both books assert that not only blind “doing” is nearly useless, but it also most of the times results in stresses and exhaustion. The Circle of Simplicity by Cecile Andrews and Getting Things Done by David Allen are two great sources, which business people might use to achieve highest productivity rates, enjoy the job, and live a serene life.

In his popular book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, David Allen explains the major and most frequently met reasons why people encounter stress at the workplace and in every-day lives. His main point whirls around the idea that we should not bother our minds with useless “stuff,” which people take for agendas, commitments, and things-to-do. He suggests that such “stuff” is useless and leads to stress and exhaustion, because what the thinker’s subconsciousness sees is an unsolvable problem. Vast majority of Americans thinks their to-do lists are great helpers and reminders, however Allen argues that they are actually distracters that entail stress.

What David Allen suggests is to try to ponder on the problem or agenda, and attempt to demark separate stages that lead to overall solution of fulfillment. He notes that the to-do lists that people utilize should comprise these stages, but not the end tasks. Instead of writing, “get a new computer” in such list, it would be much more productive to write down, “1. Go to the store; 2. Pick the computer you want; 3. Pay the bill, and enjoy the purchase.” Thus, the point David Allen makes is to effectively organize internal commitments by means of interpreting all the minor stages, and at the same time not bother with the undone assignment.

The second book is Cecile Andrews’ The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life, which deals mostly with avoiding stress and making lives simpler, rather than focusing on productivity and efficiency. The author of the book is the key figure in the so-called Voluntary Simplicity Movement, which is very popular nowadays. And The Circle of Simplicity is her great guideline to the people, who have decided to change their lives. The book outlines many problems people face at their workplaces and at home, the causes of stresses and exhaustion, and (what is most important) the steps that should be made to avoid them. By Simplicity Circle Cecile Andrews means a group of people, who gather together ten times minimum, and discuss their problems, brainstorm and find solutions to reduce consumption, making money from passions, building community, etc.

The most important ideas that writers of the two books attempt to transmit to the readers are of more or less the same nature. Although the ways to achieve serenity, fulfillment, and productivity do differ with Andrews and Allen, both argue for a way to a better life, and the routes one should go to achieve it. Cecile Andrews chooses a circuitous route, avoiding the undesired, removing problems, and enjoying the desired. Contrarily, David Allen chooses a straightforward route, altering the undesired, turning this undesired into productive and efficient “desired,” and making the unpleasant things pleasant and enjoyable.

The means by which Allen asserts the success is attained is the mind of the individual. Unlike the Simplicity Circles, “getting things done” is the process that involves only developing a personal, individual, and unique system that would help this very individual remove stresses and exhaustion, and acquire productivity. In other words, each person has to work on oneself to achieve results. Cecile Andrews, on the other hand, offers another method; she suggests that people, who are unsatisfied with their exhausting daily routines, should meet and solve their problems together. She thinks that by brainstorming the solutions members would find the best one faster. Unlike Allen, who aims at altering planning, Andrews focuses on the problem of consumption. She points out that this is an important part of the discussions in the simplicity circles, as well as many other problems that people face at workplace (“…working jobs we hate so we can buy things we don’t need…”). She also offers to turn away from the job provided it is very exhausting, and find another job that one would really like doing, while Allen only focuses on the current positions and current tasks (although not necessarily job tasks).

The Circle of Simplicity’s important point is community. Every simplicity circle, Cecile Andrews asserts, should delve into the problems of society, and find the ways to encourage communities in society. Another major goal is to build up a community in everyday life around each member of the simplicity circle. David Allen, contrarily, stresses the power of self and of mind; the mind is the key to success, he argues.

The main differences of the books consist in nature of their appeals to the readers. While Allen’s Getting Things Done title speaks for itself, calling the audience to efficient and productive action, Andrews’ Circle of Simplicity focused mostly on reducing daily routines and enjoying life. Both books provide guidelines to greater productivity, more enjoyable life, however both author choose completely different means of achieving these things. David Allen advises the readers to fight for success and productivity by means of working on themselves, developing a unique and structured system, and looking deeper into the roots of the problems. While Cecile Andrews chooses a back route; she offers to drop things that bother the individual, and start doing things that are pleasant. She also argues that interaction and community are inseparable parts of the way to serening and self-fulfillment.

The two books compared and discussed above are great sources to achieve enlightenment and success. Since the authors of the books are man and woman, the approaches they offer their readers are more masculine and more feminine respectively. Cecile Andrews suggest a simpler way to accomplish serenity and fulfillment, offering her Simplicity Circles, the titles of which speak for themselves. Male author, David Allen, on the other hand, offers a straightforward route. His main point is to self-improve oneself my means of working with mind and conscience. No matter whether the reader is a self-challenging individual, or rather a calm person, with these two books a person will find his or her way to self-development. Working in groups, brainstorming, and avoiding bulky consumption and annoying job is one way. While developing a structured, unique, and regular system of reminders, and working with conscience demark grand unattainable tasks into several easy steps is the other route. It is up to the readers which one they choose, but none of the way is “right” or “wrong.”

Bibliography

1. Allen, D. (2001). Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. New York: Viking.

2. Andrews, C. (1997). The Circle of Simplicity: Return to Good Life. New York: HarperCollins.
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