Tuesday, August 8th, 2006...10:23 am
Is it THAT time again???
WOW…Where did summer go?
Many who are sweltering across the country are saying, “What do you mean…Where did it go?”
As young people everywhere are getting geared up to go back to school (ok…some may not be so young…but I digress), we buy supplies for school, get new clothes for the kids, and try to make sure that our students have everything they need to have a successful year at school.
As a parent, I try to think of ways to teach my kids to be organized. I have learned enough in life to know that much weeping and gnashing of teeth have resulted from disorganization and moments of mental laziness in my life. Naturally, if I can help my kids avoid such suffering, it will be a good thing. I know that down the road, if they do not have a way to keep on top of their “stuff”, the price gets high later in life. If established at a young age, good organizational skills can make life better for them as they grow older and accept more responsibility.
Of course, with a first grader and a four year old, full blown GTD® is not an option. It is just too much for them to digest. However, we start with simple things like keeping neat rooms and making sure each item has a place, or establishing structure by setting a routine in terms of wake up time and sleep time. Such training can help them realize that clutter, disorganization and a lack of structure can cause stress and create chaos.
You know what I am talking about…like the moment when you are getting ready to go somewhere, and you are about to be late. Then your son comes downstairs, and announces that he cannot find his shoes. He can’t find them because he left them where he took them off, rather than putting them in a place designated for their shoes. And since you did not watch him take his shoes off, that could be ANYWHERE!!!
You mean this does not happen at your house? Come on???
The beginning of a new school year is a good time for fresh starts. Think about ways that you can help your youngster get a good start to creating order in their world. Start small, especially if your children are young. Think of ways to make it fun for you…and them.
If you have a high schooler or college student, think about introducing GTD®. It does not have to be an elaborate system. But any help you can give to your student that helps them keep their “stuff” in order, is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
- Jason
10 Comments
August 9th, 2006 at 1:54 am
Hi there!
I am a graduate student and I find it quite difficult to implement GTD in my life. There are not so many contexts in the life of a student and it is also not very productive to have a NA list for every subject.
Are there people out there with similar problems - who have solved them? Are there useful resources on the web?
I think that many students could need a little help or advice for setting up their GTD system. So why not write an article about how to adopt GTD in a students life?
Wolfgang
August 9th, 2006 at 4:56 am
I agree with Wolfgang- implementation is often difficult while in school.
As a grad-student myself, Wolfgang, I have to admit that I have implemented GTD, not in any special way, but that it is suited to almost all walks of life as it allows variation to suit your needs.
My contexts are similar to the book’s… emails, errands, office, home, online, mac, anywhere… and I have some work specific ones for the machines I often run- sem, afm…
For my filing, I file A-Z in sections in my filing cabinet in the office, Theses being placed under T or the author’s last name (only 2 places to look). Since most journal articles are online these days, I use an auto-filing bibliography file which allows me to also add notes for easier searches etc. (macos- BibDesk). Since I write my work in LaTeX, BibDesk works nicely with the bibtex system for TeX. So, opening BibDesk brings up all my journal-articles for my reading.
I use kGTD to run my NA system, working on actions by project. So, project view may include things like: PrelimDoc or ThesisResearch… that type of thing, then in those areas, they are placed in the appropriate contexts and subprojects.
Subjects may be more like projects for you… since “AmericanLit” for instance wouldn’t be a context, because you could be working in the library, or could be working at home… it should likely be a project. Then, homeworks, or writing project should fall under these as subprojects. [Incidentally, some GTDers feel projects can get a bit out of hand, so try to remember the most important part, is that each item in your list should be an actual action that can be done- not one of multiple actions.]
Finally, I use 3×5 cards as an input device for wherever I am. I’m finding having it around I’m losing a lot less in my world. I take notes on everything, and sort through them (my inbox) when I get a chance in my day. kGTD prints out onto 3×5’s, so I have a list of projects/actions always with me as well.
This is probably too long a reply comment, but I hope this helps a bit. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
-Allen
August 9th, 2006 at 8:56 am
@Wolfgang
Thanks for the comment. We might need to get Allen to talk a little more in depth about his GTD experience.
@Allen
Thanks for the insight. We may have to take wolfgang up on his idea.
Guys, this comments section is a good place for this dialogue. anyone else have any good ideas.
August 9th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Actually, in my experience, first graders (and third graders) do not announce that they can’t find their shoes. They wait until asked WHY, after four reminders, they STILL don’t have shoes on when Daddy has already started the car. Then “I can’t find them” is supposed to absolve them completely, because this circumstance is clearly out of their control.
There are two issues: the disappearing shoes and ownership of the problem.
August 10th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Hey again, Guys, sorry I didn’t check back immediately in the comments section.
I think that one of the problems with the “school-world” is that often we forget about the rest of our life… and when we come across books that encompass the rest of life, we tend to get a bit confused. GTD is so excellent because it is a methodology which is not system specific. So, tailoring it to fit the school (high-school/Ugrad/Grad) situation is one that merely takes a bit of thought on the user’s part. Incidentally, it would take the same amount of thought for everyone using GTD- how can you best use the system for your own work? Every file in the computer? Every file on sheets of paper? How do you organize that?
For students, I think I would suggest a project based approach, where each class is a project, and each homework/bookreading etc., a subproject(s)… then the contexts will be used in the same way as everyone else- reading only at home because you have a nice reading light? make the action “Read Chapter 2, Fiore” have the context @home. Reading anywhere because you constantly carry the book in your back pocket? make it @anywhere.
So, the concept of contexts is the same. For me, I add a few contexts for instruments I use for my work on a consistent basis. My Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) work can be used for a number of my projects, and hence, since it’s a place itself - in front of the microscope- I tack “morphology of sample AH2-55″ with the @SEM context. Same for the atomic force microscope. So, think about where you do your work, and what needs to be done when you’re there- does it deserve it’s own context? Perhaps “writing workshop” is something you do each month, and there are a number of various projects which contain items that need to be done there at the workshop- it may need it’s own context.
The context gives you access to the things you need to get done when you get “there”… bringing together many actions in your project list that you might not see otherwise. Easy to forget a sample for the SEM, if you’re only focused on one of your projects… but in the context view, you see all the samples you need for SEM machine-time.
How you actually implement your system is up to you and how you work best. Many of us constantly try new methods- as long as they’re trust-worthy methods and you use them, you’ll do well. Perhaps you don’t have a filing cabinet, but can use a small multi-folder in your book bag for your more frequent files, and an in-box for those that you can go through when you get home?
Let me know if this helps or hurts at all, Wolfgang. Always remember I’m no expert- I am constantly learning, and constantly failing at various things- only through my failures can I improve my work, and become better at what I do. If you have trouble, jump back on that horse, and keep going.
Please leave any specific questions/difficulties you might be having if possible, Wolfgang. The GTD approach for Graduate Students is something that I am very interested in.
Cheers!
-Allen
August 11th, 2006 at 3:34 am
@Allen Thanky very much for these long replies.
Sometimes I have the problem to see the simple things, like creating sub-projects which helps a lot with complex or divisable topics. Also your example with reading @home or @anywhere points very clearly that sometimes you have to create such a non-constraining context like @anywhere. I will revise my system this weekend…
But I have still difficulties with tasks which require multiple things like my laptop, a specific book (which I have at home, and which is also in our university library) and lecture papers. This task is not a @home only and it is not a @university only and it is not a @uni-library only. What can I do about them?
And lastly the reference - I have not very much reference material most of it are lecture materials, and articles related to the lectures. And then there is my personal material like healthcare, bank stuff and so on. How would you implement the reference files - A-to-Z or by topic? And I do not know how to store the material (file drawer, banker boxes, or something else).
I think these problems are common for students, because they do not have a single @work/@office and they do not have very much reference material.
What do you think/recommend? I think it would be great to write an article or guide how to adopt GTD in school/universitiy because then we will have the chance to work with more GTDers together.
Cheers
Wolfgang
August 11th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Great post. I have a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old, and I’ve also been thinking about steps to take to get some GTD habits going. I think my oldest is still too young, but I was thinking about noting the things that she says that she wants to do, maybe with a picture (she can’t read), somewhere visible, just so that we can look at the list from time to time. I know that the complexity of her life is very minimal, but I’d love to introduce the idea that if she documents thoughts in a trusted system (crayon on the piece of paper hanging on the wall), that she can in some measure stop worrying about it.
I think this may be extreme for a 2.5 year old, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. It seems like we’ve come at GTD from 2 different angles. I love the fact that it allows you to acknowledge something, note it, and then get on with whatever you are working on, while you are focusing on keeping the kids worlds organized. I’m eager to hear how it goes.
August 14th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
@Allen,
Thanks for the insight. You are proving your Black Belt status. You are filling a gap in terms of experience that I certianly do not have, since I did not start GTD until I was 32.
@Karl
I admire your ability to think ahead on behalf of your children. Every bit of help you can give will be of benefit. Let me know how your efforts go.
In my case, things seem to be progressing rather well. My daughter is picking up on the organization. I do not have to tag them to go clean up their rooms as often as I used to. She also seems to be adjusting well to school. My son, who is 22 months younger, is learning along with his sister. So I think he may be ahead of the curve.
August 16th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
@Jason,
Ha ha ha
Didn’t I tell you I’m on the “extended study” plan? I turned 32 in July. 
he he he… but I’m still in school dagnamit…
@Wolfgang,
I’ve been thinking about your questions the past couple days, not sure how to address them. But I think I have a few ideas for you. Disclaimer- I have to admit, I can only think back a few years regarding GTD and classes - and back then I wasn’t implementing GTD (I’m done with my studies, but working on research full-time)…
I think what is appropriate to mention is that contexts do not encompass everything needed to do something. For example, doing my oil in my car requires a slew of tools as well as buying the oil and filters etc… but my context is merely @home (since that’s where I’m going to do the work). So, I conceive of a situation like yours at the library where you need a slew of things… but I’m tempted to say you should just use the @library context. If you need to say do research first, and then write while you’re there, perhaps you should have a project/subproject for that homework assignment… something like: Parent: Hmwk12 siblings: Find reference for prob.1, find reference for prob.2, review notes for prob. 3… that type of thing. Of course it’ll be up to you to remember that you need your textbook for your homework assignment, and perhaps classnotes etc. So, I don’t think that the context necessarily encompasses everything involved in doing your work, however, it’d be nice if it did, I guess. But, then that brings us back to complicated contexts like @Math185… which may not be an appropriate context. Perhaps others can chime in on this… (I tend to feel that type of context isn’t appropriate, but I’m sure whatever works for you is the best in the end.)
In regards to the bills you mentioned- I think it mostly depends on how things work well for you. If you like having everything in your A-Z files, I’d place the bills either by the name of the utility (Water, Power, Gas, etc.).. or place them in a Bill category. Another completely acceptable solution is to have a bill filing system which is separate from A-Z. As long as you know where to look, and there’s an appropriate place for them, you’re good.
I think filing cabinets are the best way to organize your material. What I used to do when I was in class, since I had access to a binding machine, was every exam that came up (midterm and final for me), I’d bind all the notes, all the homeworks and quizes and all solutions to all the old homeworks and quizzes I could get my hand on. So, at the end of the course right before the final, I generally had 2 bound notebooks that had each half of the course- everything for the course was there, as well as practice problems from earlier year’s quizzes and exams if they were available. These would then fit on my bookcase, or perhaps in a filing cabinet based on their course number. I.e., MatSE 306A. So, keeping notes in a three-ringed binder on your bookcase or in a project folder in your A-Z filing cabinet is just fine, as long as you can find the material, and there’s one or two places to look.
If I had to come up with a way to do things myself now that I’m out of coursework, I think I’d probably be keeping either a binder of some sort (circa or three-ring), or a folder, which was for the “current-work” for the course… and an “archived-work/lectures” for the course. This way the week’s work would be in my backpack, and my previous weeks would be ready and waiting for binding when the mid-term came up. BTW, don’t hesitate in buying a label-maker for these folders. It’ll really help you to see things quickly and easily.
Ultimately, Wolfgang, the good thing about GTD is that it’s flexible. If you find you like keeping a three-ring binder on a bookcase with the past coursework, and a spiral-notebook or looseleafs and folders in your backpack, as long as you’re utilizing the systems effectively, and know where things go and how they get processed, you’re in good shape. GTD is flexible and the major point is that your system is one that you can trust and use.
Sorry this is so long, guys, I hope this helps a bit Wolfgang! Always remember- I am definitely no expert!
These are just ideas!
August 21st, 2006 at 5:46 am
[...] Today I stumbled across this article on Black Belt Productivity, a blog which I will now be adding to my RSS feeder. The article mentioned is a brief discussion of the implementation of GTD (the system David Allen describes in his book of the same name - Getting Things Done) which is interesting but the really useful information (for college/university students at least) is in the comments where there is a detailed outline of methods of implementing this system for students. [...]
Leave a Reply