In keeping with the theme from Tuesday, here are two great articles with tips for simplifying your life. If you added up all of the time you spent constantly checking your email, cnn.com and tmz.com, I guarantee it would be a far greater part of your day than you think. It’s like watching TV, the wasted minutes and hours add up quickly.
The first article is by Ron Geraci, and gives steps on how to manage your internet surfing and emailing habits. Here’s the basics:
1. Spot the signs. If you feel alone even though you communicate with people all day, that’s a sign that technology is dominating your life.
2. Take baby steps. Try being inaccessible for planned, short periods of time.
3. Repeat these words: “I have a choice.” Remind yourself that you are choosing to obsess about your email.
4. Set limits. Rein in office e-mail and instant message traffic. Remove yourself from automatic Macy’s sale announcements and Facebook updates.
5. Give clear instructions. Let people know with an e-mail signature, that you respond to emails at 10am, 1pm and 4pm (or whatever works for you). And add that if someone needs a quicker response, they should give you a call.
6. Make a task list. If you are interrupted, you’ll get back to work faster if you have one. I do this daily and it makes all the difference. Also, if something gets moved to the next day’s list enough times, I realize it’s not important to me and I make other arrangements for that task.
Check out the complete article here: 7 Tips For Fighting Information Overload
The second article, written by Tim Ferriss, has similar tips, but deals with phone calls and meetings, as well as emails. Also, there is additional focus is on gaining control of outside situations, not just your own work habits. It’s definitely worth skimming.
Check it out here: The Not-To-Do List
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Select one or two of these tactics, stick with them for a few weeks and see if they make a difference. If they do, maybe work on changing another habit, and so on. You didn’t pick up these habits overnight, so be easy with yourself as you develop a new, more efficient approach. Remember, everything comes in time.
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