Sun, 21 Feb 2010

Task lists are pockets, not attics . . .

Take a look here -- quoting:

. . . our inbox/outbox trays (physical or digital) are not filing cabinets. The idea is that data goes in one tray, and out the other, and the goal is to keep both trays empty (meaning you’ve processed the data as it came in, and then shipped it on its way once you’ve finished with it).

It's frustrating when a supervisor, co-worker, business associate does this. You send an e-mail requesting information or action and later, follow up on it, only to find that they have missed it in the thousands that they have in their in box. I just can't work that way.

The first thing I do in the morning is "morning review". I go through my inbox and quickly go through my e-mail to categorize it, create tasks from it, and move it out of the way into the appropriate folders. It takes about 15 minutes maximum and makes sure that new e-mails are noticed when they arrive. Throughout the day, I try to mark and organize my e-mails to keep the inbox as empty as I can.

One other trick is the answer simple e-mails. Often, it is easier to quickly reply to an e-mail when I have the knowledge at my fingertips than to move it around, file it and, later, come back to it.

This helps me. Perhaps I'm just not a multi-tasker, but it works to keep me organized and working toward what is needful.

posted 10:29 [/SimpleThings] permanent link

Thu, 26 Nov 2009

We are blessed. . .

This month, we lost a blessing in our family. Yaya (grandmother) passed away. She went to sleep and never woke up. Yaya was the only grandparent my children knew. She lived with us and we were blessed by it. As God reviewed the movie of her life, I'm sure he said, "Well done good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21)

posted 11:35 [/SimpleThings] permanent link

Sun, 22 Nov 2009

Willing to be Changed . . .

You are only really listening when you are willing to be changed by what you hear.

I heard this statement in an interview with Alan Alda, the actor, and it has stuck with me. I think, all too often, people come into a conversation with their minds made up and nothing which is said will change that. In that case, they don't really listen to the other person, but are preparing what they are going to say, regardless of the thoughts of the other. It is pervasive, parents and children, teachers and students, politicians and their constituents, ambassador and rulers, . . ., and it's leading to a world where no one is willing to compromise. The change you are willing to make doesn't have to be large. You don't have to give up your principles. Any little change you make or are willing to make brings you closer to understanding what the other person is saying.

So, the next time you go into a conversation, really listen and prepare to be changed . . .

posted 10:25 [/SimpleThings] permanent link

Thu, 10 Sep 2009

Simple Things: I am blessed

I sound like one of those inspirational speakers when I write it, but I am. It's one of the basic things that I have to keep in mind when I deal with the world.

posted 07:52 [/SimpleThings] permanent link

Mon, 07 Sep 2009

Simple Things . . .

. . . can change the world.

Do you get discouraged when you see the state of the world? Remember that simple things can change it, one thing at a time.

Model the behavior you'd like to receive from others.

. . . It's a powerful thing.

posted 15:05 [/SimpleThings] permanent link