What do Kids, Summer Vacation and GTD have in common?

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

 

Answer: Outcome Thinking!

School is out in our neck of the woods. Summer time is a great time for some outcome thinking work with the kids. This post continues on the theme of planting the seeds of GTD with kids without actually using the GTD lingo.

While sitting at the table with the kids we started talking about the summer. The kids had some great ideas on what they wanted to do. So I thought to myself... aha! another opportunity for the Think-a-torium! This time though it was not just what we want to do for the day. This session was about what we wanted to make true over the summer. A much longer horizon for planning and perfect for the kids.

I leaned over an said to them in a whisper, "You know what?"

Kids, "What?"

"You guys are coming up with some AMAZING ideas. I think we needed a session in the Think-a-torium!"

Kids, "Yeah!!!!"

This time we used 3x5 cards to capture our ideas. The rules were simple:

- Answer this question: What do you want to do this summer?
- One idea per card
- We take turns tacking them to our cork board
- Every idea is a great idea

We went at it for about 30 minutes and had a ball. The kids were great and really supported one another.

After we finished I stepped back and said "Wow! You guys are magic. This board was blank just moments ago and now... well, look at it! Look at what you did with your imagination! This is great stuff. Looks like we are going to have a great summer!"

Our plan is to go down to the basement at least weekly (seeds for a weekly review) to review what we want to do next. As we select our "projects" I will ask them "what do we need to do next to make this magic card come true?"

We've already completed a couple of items and the kids are loving it. It is very rewarding watch them take their ideas from idea to done.

I hope you have a fulfilling summer. May your Think-a-torium overflow with ideas for you and your family.

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A related post: http://www.zonebyzone.com/2008/05/auto-imaginatorium.html