Productivity – do it now!
ByIf you’ve been reading The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur for a while, you know I struggle with organization and productivity. I had a small brainwave yesterday that I thought I would share.
When my desk is cluttered or my inbox is full of messages I’ve read but haven’t dealt with, there is a simple reason for it. The paper or electronic clutter is a result of “I’ll do it later” thoughts. If it’s something I have to do, but not urgent and not time consuming I’ll leave it on my desk or in my inbox as a reminder to do it later. After all, it will only take a minute.
The problem is, when later comes, I have a pile of stuff to do and it’s hard to know where to start.
So my new motto is “do it now”. If something will only take a minute or two to complete, “do it now”. I only check my email three or four times a day. If it’s time to check my email, it’s time to respond. Then I’ll either delete it or file it – anything to keep my inbox empty.
If I’ve got a paper in my hand and whatever the task is will only take a few minutes, “do it now”. If it needs filing … you got it.
I don’t know how this new motto will serve me, but I suspect I’ll have less clutter and get more done.
Andrea J. Stenberg
Organizing consultant Barbara Hemphill says that clutter is the result of postponed decisions, so you are definitely on the right track!
Congratulations on that realization! We leave things all over because we don’t want to loose track of them. There is a fear of forgetting. I have found that to be true with most of my clients.
You might consider creating an action system to help you keep track of the things that you need to get done. Calls, Decisions to be made, Waiting on Response, To Pay, To Write, Read, and so on.
I have also found that using rules in Outlook has significantly helped me to manage my email reading. (taking a speed reading course did not hurt either!)
To your success!
Stephanie
Productive & Organized – We’ll help you find your way! tm
Stephanie,
Can’t agree more. I use Thunderbird, not Outlook, but the same thing applies. I have all my ezines sent to a separate folder so I’m not distracted when they reach my inbox. I read ezines at specified times.
I like your idea of a system. It sounds simple.
Andrea
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