Comments on: Tackling a Science Project with GTD https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd David Allen's GTD® Methodology Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:45:18 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Davis Shannon https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-264368 Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:45:18 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-264368 It’s so easy to get caught up in all the details, but I appreciate how you turned the stress into a learning opportunity. Showing your daughter that projects can be manageable with the right approach is such a valuable lesson. I’ve been trying to do the same thing with my kids—breaking things down into smaller steps and keeping things organized.

]]> By: April Perry https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3136 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:42:52 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3136 Thanks for the great idea, Pam. I think I’ll talk to our PTA this week and see if they’re interested. I agree–if moms, dads, and teachers learn to teach these kinds of things to their children, I can’t even imagine the impact.

]]> By: Pam Seymour https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3135 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:13:06 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3135 This is absolutely not over the top for kids today – it’s actually a valuable process that some teachers still don’t realize they need to teach to kids. Those with organizational and time management issues, or those who don’t have parents available to help them at home are at a particular disadvantage. Learning to manage this type of project is key to success in school from upper elementary grades on. If you are a part of your school’s PTA, this would be a great presentation at a meeting.

Kudos!

]]> By: April Perry https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3134 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:03:39 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3134 Thanks so much, Chris! It’s funny (and you’re right) that people consider this kind of organizing as “over the top.” I see it as essential to stress management.

Good luck with your GTD process. It’s wonderful!

]]> By: Chris Sayburn https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3133 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:38:27 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3133 Real inspiring story! I love that what some people seem to see as an ‘over the top’ process can not only bring results but build relationship and equip people for life.

I’m just learning GTD, and finding it helpful already. I hope I can be of help to my kids like this when they get a bit older (and I get a bit wiser with the system!)

]]> By: April Perry https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3132 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 03:41:56 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3132 Doug, I love that you helped your children visualize the outcome they wanted. The Natural Planning Model is GREAT for kids!

]]> By: Doug Bracey https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3131 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:44:16 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3131 I just went through a similar use of GTD methods with my own 5th and 7th grade sons’ science fair projects. It is amazing the amount of effort expected on these for kids these days!

We used a streamlined version of the Natural Planning Model at the beginning. I got them to think about the outcome they wanted, and then we kind of treated it like a game to work backwards and figure out all the “steps” (I.e., Next Actions) needed to get from where we were to where we wanted to be.

We created a checklist to work from, and believe me, they get just as much satisfaction from checking things off as done as we grown-ups do!

Thanks for the great post.

]]> By: April Perry https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3130 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:22:25 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3130 Thanks so much for your comment, Lise! I wish you the best with next year’s science fair project. And you’re right–teaching project management is a great skill for children of all ages. We have other types of school projects about once a month, and as I’ve taught my little ones how to organize them, the experiences have been much less stressful.

]]> By: Lise Waring https://gettingthingsdone.com/2011/02/tackling-a-science-project-with-gtd/#comment-3129 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:09:37 +0000 http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/02/07/#comment-3129 This is great – at my daughter’s school, the science fair is mandatory. We got through ok, but I will have her line out all the steps next year – it is never too early (or late) to teach basic project management….and she certainly will need it in middle school.

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