name: what-should-i-do-now description: Help user decide what to work on next based on GTD's four criteria - context, time available, energy level, and priority. Use when user asks what to do or seems stuck on choosing. Handles rejection via refine-next-action skill.

What Should I Do Now

This skill helps users choose their next action using GTD's four-criteria model. It's the "Engage" phase of GTD - actually doing work from trusted lists.

When to Use

• User asks "What should I do now?"
• User seems paralyzed by options
• User has time and wants to be productive
• After completing a task (what's next?)

The Four Criteria Model

GTD suggests choosing actions based on (in order):

1. Context - What can you do where you are?
2. Time Available - How much time do you have?
3. Energy Level - What's your mental/physical state?
4. Priority - What matters most?

Step 1: Determine Context

"Where are you right now, and what tools/resources do you have available?"

Options:

• At computer with internet
• At home
• At office
• On phone only
• Out running errands
• In a meeting/waiting

Map to context tags:

gtd-action labels

Then filter:

gtd-action list --filter "@context"

Step 2: Determine Time Available

"How much time do you have before your next commitment?"

Categories:

• < 15 minutes: Quick wins only
• 15-30 minutes: Short tasks
• 30-60 minutes: Medium tasks
• 1+ hours: Deep work possible

Filter actions by estimated duration (if tracked) or use judgment.

Step 3: Assess Energy Level

"What's your energy level right now?"

Levels:

• High energy/focus: Creative work, complex problems, writing
• Medium energy: Routine tasks, email, planning
• Low energy: Administrative, filing, simple tasks

Match actions to energy:

• High: "Draft proposal" "Design architecture" "Difficult conversation"
• Medium: "Process email" "Review document" "Schedule meetings"
• Low: "File papers" "Update spreadsheet" "Simple responses"

Step 4: Consider Priority

From the filtered list, consider:

• What has a deadline?
• What's blocking others?
• What would have the biggest impact?
• What have you been avoiding?

Making the Recommendation

After gathering the four criteria:

"Based on your context (@office), time (45 minutes), energy (medium), and priorities, here are my top suggestions:

1. [Action] - [Why it fits]
2. [Action] - [Why it fits]
3. [Action] - [Why it fits]

What resonates?"

Handling Rejection

If user rejects all suggestions, use refine-next-action skill:

"None of these work? Let's figure out what would.

Is it the context? Time estimate? Energy required? Or something else?"

Options:

• Show different actions
• Adjust criteria (maybe energy is lower than stated)
• Check if procrastination is involved
• Consider if tasks need refinement

The Procrastination Check

If user keeps rejecting:

"You've passed on several options. Sometimes this means:

• The tasks are too vague (need clearer next actions)
• Energy is lower than we thought
• There's resistance to something specific

What's going on?"

Help them either:

• Refine the resisted task
• Choose something energizing to build momentum
• Acknowledge it's not a good time

Just Do Mode

If user wants less discussion:

"Here's your top action for right now: [Action]. Go!"

Quick recommendation without lengthy interview.

Example Session

User: "What should I do now?"

Agent: "Let me help you pick. Where are you and what do you have available?"

User: "At my desk at home, computer"

Agent: "How much time until your next thing?"

User: "About an hour"

Agent: "And how's your energy - ready for focused work, or need something lighter?"

User: "Medium, I just had lunch"

Agent:

gtd-action list --filter "@computer | @home"

"Here's what I'd suggest from your @computer and @home lists:

1. Review Q3 report draft - Good medium-energy task, ~30 min
2. Process email inbox - Medium energy, routine, ~20 min
3. Call plumber about leak - Quick @phone task, 10 min

Any of these feel right?"

User: "I don't want to do the report right now"

Agent: "Understood. Would you rather tackle the email or make that quick call first?"

User: "The call, get it out of the way"

Agent: "Great choice - quick win to build momentum. After that, maybe email while you're in task mode?"

Providing the Recommendation

Format:

CONTEXT: @home, @computer
TIME: ~1 hour
ENERGY: Medium

TOP RECOMMENDATION:
→ [Action description]
  Why: [Brief rationale]

ALTERNATIVES:
- [Action 2]
- [Action 3]

After Task Completion

When user finishes:

"Nice work! Ready for the next one, or taking a break?"

Keep momentum going if they want to continue.

Tools Used

• gtd-action labels - Available contexts
• gtd-action list --filter - Context-filtered actions
• refine-next-action skill - When suggestions rejected
• gtd-calendar today - Check time constraints