name: projectize description: Turn a nebulous or complex item into a fully-formed GTD project with clear outcome, first next action, and supporting materials. Use when something needs to be broken down into a project with multiple actions.

Projectize

This skill transforms vague, complex, or overwhelming items into well-defined GTD projects. It's a complete workflow that combines interviewing for clarity with project creation.

When to Use

• User has a "big thing" they're not sure how to tackle
• Something feels overwhelming or unclear
• Item identified as needing multiple actions (from clarify-item)
• User says "I need to figure out how to do [X]"
• During natural planning for complex outcomes

The Projectize Workflow

Step 1: Capture the Raw Item

"What's the thing you need to turn into a project?"

Get the initial, possibly vague description.

Step 2: Define the Outcome

This is the most important step. Ask:

"Imagine this is complete and successful. What does that look like? Describe the end state."

Keep probing until the outcome is:

• Specific: Clear what it means
• Measurable: You'll know when it's done
• Achievable: Within their influence

Examples of transformation:

• "Handle the move" → "Living in new apartment with all belongings unpacked and old apartment cleaned"
• "Get healthy" → "Running 3x per week and meal prepping every Sunday"
• "Fix the website" → "Website loads in under 2 seconds with all broken links fixed"

Step 3: Why Does This Matter?

"Why is this important to you? What does completing this enable?"

Understanding purpose helps with:

• Motivation during execution
• Prioritization decisions
• Knowing when to push vs. let go

Step 4: Envision Success (Wild Success)

"If this went even better than expected, what would that look like?"

Optional but powerful for creative projects. Expands thinking.

Step 5: Brainstorm Components

"What are all the things that might need to happen? Don't worry about order - just dump ideas."

Capture everything:

• Actions
• Decisions to make
• Information to gather
• People to involve
• Resources needed

Step 6: Organize and Sequence

"Looking at this list, what naturally comes first? What depends on what?"

Group into:

• Immediate actions - Can start now
• Sequential dependencies - Must happen in order
• Parallel tracks - Can happen simultaneously
• Final steps - Wrapping up

Step 7: Identify the First Next Action

"What's the very first physical action to get this moving?"

Must be:

• Concrete and specific
• Doable right now (or in appropriate context)
• Actually the first thing (not step 3 or 4)

Common first actions:

• "Call/email [person] to discuss..."
• "Research [topic] to understand options"
• "Draft outline for..."
• "Schedule meeting to kick off..."
• "Buy/gather [supplies]"

Step 8: Create the Project

Create in Todoist:

gtd-action add "[Project Name]" --project-create

Add the outcome as project description/note.

Step 9: Add Actions to Project

Add the first next action:

gtd-action add "[First action]" --project "[Project Name]" --label @context

Add other identified actions (but don't over-plan):

gtd-action add "[Action 2]" --project "[Project Name]"

Step 10: Create Supporting Materials

If reference material is needed:

gtd-notes add "Project: [Name] - Reference" --body "[relevant info]"

Link to existing documents, create checklists, etc.

Output Summary

Present the completed project:

PROJECT: [Name]

OUTCOME:
[Clear description of done]

WHY IT MATTERS:
[Purpose/motivation]

FIRST NEXT ACTION:
→ [Specific action] (@context)

ADDITIONAL ACTIONS:
- [Action 2]
- [Action 3]
- [Action 4]

SUPPORTING MATERIALS:
- [Note/doc if created]

Example Session

User: "I need to renovate my home office"

Agent: "Let's turn this into a clear project. When this renovation is complete and successful, what does your office look like?"

User: "A dedicated space with a standing desk, good lighting, and no distractions"

Agent: "Great - 'Home office renovated with standing desk, proper lighting, and distraction-free setup.' Why is this important?"

User: "I work from home and my current setup kills my back and makes it hard to focus"

Agent: "Got it - better health and focus. What are all the things that might need to happen?"

User: "Get a standing desk, figure out lighting, maybe paint, organize cables, get a better chair too, soundproof somehow..."

Agent: "Good brainstorm. What needs to happen first?"

User: "I guess I need to measure the space and figure out budget"

Agent: "Perfect first step. Let me create this project:

PROJECT: Home office renovated

OUTCOME:
Dedicated workspace with standing desk, proper lighting, and distraction-free setup

WHY IT MATTERS:
Better health (back pain) and improved focus for WFH

FIRST NEXT ACTION:
→ Measure office dimensions and sketch layout options (@home)

ADDITIONAL ACTIONS:
- Research standing desk options and prices
- Get lighting recommendations (ask in r/homeoffice?)
- Decide on paint color
- Research soundproofing options
- Budget calculation

SUPPORTING MATERIALS:
- Create note for collecting desk/lighting research

Ready for me to create this in your system?"

When to Stop Planning

Don't over-plan. Once you have:

• Clear outcome
• First next action
• General sense of scope

Stop. Let the next actions emerge as you execute.

"We have enough to get started. The next steps will become clearer as you make progress."

Tools Used

• gtd-action add --project - Create tasks in projects
• gtd-action projects - Check existing projects
• gtd-notes add - Create reference materials
• assign-context skill - For context assignment
• convert-to-project skill - Lower-level project creation