Comments on: “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/ Chief Morale Officer Kirk Weisler's Thought 4 the Day Tue, 22 May 2012 12:54:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: kirkweisler http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15031 kirkweisler Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:45:50 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15031 File, file, file! I only keep things that I NEED to take action on in my inbox, everything else gets filed away in the appropriate folder. I tried having a "to do" folder so only new mail was in my inbox but then I wouldn't look in the folder. My inbox currently has 20 messages in it and I get about 100 per day. Also, if you use a BlackBerry, learn how to use the file feature there. I found I was reviewing messages on the BlackBerry and then again on my PC. The BlackBerry will learn where to file messages and make it easy for you to get the right folder most of the time. This way you can keep up throughout the day and aren't overwhelmed when you get back to your PC. Thank you, Julio Gonzalez, PMP, CISSP Senior Manager Telecommunications and Enterprise IT Security Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. File, file, file!

I only keep things that I NEED to take action on in my inbox, everything else gets filed away in the appropriate folder. I tried having a “to do” folder so only new mail was in my inbox but then I wouldn’t look in the folder. My inbox currently has 20 messages in it and I get about 100 per day.

Also, if you use a BlackBerry, learn how to use the file feature there. I found I was reviewing messages on the BlackBerry and then again on my PC. The BlackBerry will learn where to file messages and make it easy for you to get the right folder most of the time. This way you can keep up throughout the day and aren’t overwhelmed when you get back to your PC.

Thank you,

Julio Gonzalez, PMP, CISSP
Senior Manager
Telecommunications and Enterprise IT Security
Ryder Truck Rental, Inc.

]]> By: kirkweisler http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15030 kirkweisler Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:45:16 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15030 Kirk, I recently attended a class titled "Getting the Edge" (www.effectiveedge.com, their phone number is 512-474-5200) and one of the things we did in this class is emptied our "inbox". The class showed us how to use the "Tasks" function in Outlook more effectively by grouping emails into the following catagories: Projects Actions Calls Waiting For (Your Boss's name) Errands Google Home Read/Review (Optional) Someday/Maybe We also were shown how to effectively use the "Notes" section of Outlook to place things that you may need to reference from time to time. Another focus of this class in regard to email was the four "D's" (Delete it, Do it (in 2 minutes or less), Delegate it, or Defer it (to either your calendar, tasks or Notes) FYI The class I attended was conducted here at our site and it was an 8 hour class. I took this class over three weeks age and so far my inbox is still empty at the end of each day. You may want to check it out. Have a great day! Garan Johnson Lean Integration Manager Parts Management Spirit AeroSystems Inc. Kirk,
I recently attended a class titled “Getting the Edge” (www.effectiveedge.com, their phone number is 512-474-5200) and one of the things we did in this class is emptied our “inbox”. The class showed us how to use the “Tasks” function in Outlook more effectively by grouping emails into the following catagories:
Projects
Actions
Calls
Waiting For
(Your Boss’s name)
Errands
Google
Home
Read/Review (Optional)
Someday/Maybe
We also were shown how to effectively use the “Notes” section of Outlook to place things that you may need to reference from time to time. Another focus of this class in regard to email was the four “D’s” (Delete it,
Do it (in 2 minutes or less), Delegate it, or Defer it (to either your calendar, tasks or Notes)

FYI
The class I attended was conducted here at our site and it was an 8 hour class. I took this class over three weeks age and so far my inbox is still empty at the end of each day.

You may want to check it out.

Have a great day!
Garan Johnson
Lean Integration Manager
Parts Management
Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

]]> By: kirkweisler http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15029 kirkweisler Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:43:07 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15029 I feel your pain! In a customer and management-facing role, I often get 70 - 100+ emails per day. You can just imagine what my inbox looks like after I take a vacation!! I use a triage model on my inbox each day, and especially after returning from time away. First pass, I delete everything I KNOW I don't need without opening it. The decision for a given email varies base on how busy I am and how much backlog I have. After a long vacation, T4D might even fall into this category (sorry, but you have to be heartless to catch up) Second pass, I open the ones that seem obviously to need an immediate response, respond to them (if they, indeed, do need one) and move them to another folder. Oh yeah, I have lots of folders. Third pass, I get my second cup of coffee ;-) and work through the remainder of the cleanup, moving things into folders that are meaningful but don't need a response, deleting unnecessary things that weren't obviously unnecessary from the subject and sender, and responding-to/filing the rest. Oh yes, my deleted folder empties automatically when I exit Outlook... no looking back :-) Hope this helps... As my grandfather would always say when giving advice: "that and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee" :-) All the best -- Ted I feel your pain! In a customer and management-facing role, I often get 70 - 100+ emails per day. You can just imagine what my inbox looks like after I take a vacation!!

I use a triage model on my inbox each day, and especially after returning from time away.

First pass, I delete everything I KNOW I don’t need without opening it. The decision for a given email varies base on how busy I am and how much backlog I have. After a long vacation, T4D might even fall into this category (sorry, but you have to be heartless to catch up)

Second pass, I open the ones that seem obviously to need an immediate response, respond to them (if they, indeed, do need one) and move them to another folder. Oh yeah, I have lots of folders.

Third pass, I get my second cup of coffee ;-) and work through the remainder of the cleanup, moving things into folders that are meaningful but don’t need a response, deleting unnecessary things that weren’t obviously unnecessary from the subject and sender, and responding-to/filing the rest.

Oh yes, my deleted folder empties automatically when I exit Outlook… no looking back :-)

Hope this helps… As my grandfather would always say when giving advice: “that and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee” :-)

All the best — Ted

]]> By: kirkweisler http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15028 kirkweisler Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:42:13 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15028 Kirk, You have inspired me for two years now and with your message today I'm ready to lend a hand. Four years ago my husband and I set out on an adventure. He wanted to return to school after 13 years of private veterinary practice to become Board Certified in Anesthesiology so he could help teach students what he had spend years learning. I went back to full time work gave up everything including the house we owned and well, today, we are two weeks away from his final oral exam. He is working now and I'm able to stay home with the kids again. I've spent the last week focusing on myself, which I haven't done since we started this adventure so it feels a bit foreign to me. In just that short week I have had such renewed spirits and energy that I couldn't let this opportunity go by without saying hang in there... stick with the task in front of you... sometimes it takes longer than we think it should... but in the end (and I've heard you say it so many times before) a "better new habit will replace the old." Hang in there. We all here to encourage you too. Diane Claude Kirk, You have inspired me for two years now and with your message today I’m ready to lend a hand.

Four years ago my husband and I set out on an adventure. He wanted to return to school after 13 years of private veterinary practice to become Board Certified in Anesthesiology so he could help teach students what he had spend years learning. I went back to full time work gave up everything including the house we owned and well, today, we are two weeks away from his final oral exam. He is working now and I’m able to stay home with the kids again. I’ve spent the last week focusing on myself, which I haven’t done since we started this adventure so it feels a bit foreign to me. In just that short week I have had such renewed spirits and energy that I couldn’t let this opportunity go by without saying hang in there… stick with the task in front of you… sometimes it takes longer than we think it should… but in the end (and I’ve heard you say it so many times before) a “better new habit will replace the old.”

Hang in there. We all here to encourage you too.
Diane Claude

]]> By: Darlene Biedrzycki http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15023 Darlene Biedrzycki Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:26:54 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15023 Take a look at the book or attend the class "Getting Things Done." David Allen is the author. Most effective time managment class I've attended. We also offer it to our employees and they have found it to be very effective. Take a look at the book or attend the class “Getting Things Done.” David Allen is the author. Most effective time managment class I’ve attended. We also offer it to our employees and they have found it to be very effective.

]]> By: GINO http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15018 GINO Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:07:48 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15018 <p>Kirk, the Getting Things Done approach works well. But, specifically with guidance from Jason Womack. He is truly an inspiration that keeps me going. Facebook, Linkedin, Blog, and Twitter. Check him out.....http://www.womackcompany.com/</p> <p>Gino</p> Kirk, the Getting Things Done approach works well. But, specifically with guidance from Jason Womack. He is truly an inspiration that keeps me going. Facebook, Linkedin, Blog, and Twitter. Check him out…..http://www.womackcompany.com/

Gino

]]> By: Richard http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15009 Richard Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:16:31 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15009 The absolutely best course I’ve ever taken on handling email is – Working Sm@rt with Outlook. All my staff have taken this course and a few dozen of my colleagues at my recommendation. All have returned raving about the course, and we have all benefited from the techniques it teaches. We have more time, better managed time, never forget a deadline or to follow up! It’s the best. Here is a link http://www.progressivetraining.ca/MSOutlook.htm I’m sure you can find a local provider of this training. The absolutely best course I’ve ever taken on handling email is – Working Sm@rt with Outlook. All my staff have taken this course and a few dozen of my colleagues at my recommendation. All have returned raving about the course, and we have all benefited from the techniques it teaches. We have more time, better managed time, never forget a deadline or to follow up! It’s the best. Here is a link http://www.progressivetraining.ca/MSOutlook.htm I’m sure you can find a local provider of this training.

]]> By: Tom A-D http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15006 Tom A-D Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:29:15 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15006 The bottom graphic sort of reminds me of the painting in the Sistine Chapel. Maybe dealing w/ email does take a miracle from the hand of God. Tom The bottom graphic sort of reminds me of the painting in the Sistine Chapel. Maybe dealing w/ email does take a miracle from the hand of God.

Tom

]]> By: Lynn http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15001 Lynn Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:17:19 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15001 <p>Hi Kirk,<br /> I always deal with my inbox like it is my “to do” list. If it is there it needs my attention – even if I just need to read it. Once I read it I make the decision to keep it in the in box, file it in a folder in my email or delete it. I find if I take action on it right away in one of those ways it keeps my inbox clean and I don’t forget the things I need to do – they are right there staring at me in my inbox. It helps me plan my day as well.<br /> Good luck!<br /> Lynn</p> Hi Kirk,
I always deal with my inbox like it is my “to do” list. If it is there it needs my attention – even if I just need to read it. Once I read it I make the decision to keep it in the in box, file it in a folder in my email or delete it. I find if I take action on it right away in one of those ways it keeps my inbox clean and I don’t forget the things I need to do – they are right there staring at me in my inbox. It helps me plan my day as well.
Good luck!
Lynn

]]> By: Cool Subscriber to T4D http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15000 Cool Subscriber to T4D Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:11:16 +0000 http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/2009/08/25/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up/#comment-15000 <p>Hi Kirk – The two programs below I’ve found to be the best for managing e-mail. But both require consistent dedication to the system in order for them to be effective. </p> <p>http://www.effectiveedge.com/dev/efe/efew.nsf/lu.programs/gte</p> <p>And --- The Art of Getting Things Done –</p> Hi Kirk – The two programs below I’ve found to be the best for managing e-mail. But both require consistent dedication to the system in order for them to be effective.

http://www.effectiveedge.com/dev/efe/efew.nsf/lu.programs/gte

And — The Art of Getting Things Done –

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