how i command my inbox
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
How I Command my Inbox
(or at least try to)
Hi! I’m Bart.
I work at web agency Netlash.
... and a few other companies:
I get a fair amount of e-mail.
average: 300 / day
(without the spam)
I get a fair amount of e-mail.
300
actionable items
a day
... then I would need 25 hours a day just for e-mail.
If I spend 5 minutes on each mail...
My inbox is probably filling up as we speak.
Actually...
Stress!
This is how I cope.
(Based on the Inbox Zero strategy of Merlin Mann.
See: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=973149761529535925# )
This is how I cope.
D D A R D D
Delete
D D A R D D
Delete
Delegate
D D A R D D
Delete
Delegate
Archive
D D A R D D
Delete
Delegate
Archive
Respond
D D A R D D
Delete
Delegate
Archive
Respond
Do
D D A R D D
Delete
Delegate
Archive
Respond
Do
Defer
D D A R D D
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
Lots of mails are just ‘FYI’.
Delete them at once.
Delete
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
Send immediately to the right person.
With a clear ‘call to action’.
Delegate
You need to be able to trust the other person.
Delegate
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
Don’t use folders.
Use a performant Search.
( *cough*Gmail*cough*)
Archive
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
If you can answer without extra work, do it.
Respond
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
If you can do it immediately, do it immediately.
Do
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
Get it out of your inbox.
Put it on a to-do list.
Plan it!
Defer
1. Delete
2. Delegate
3. Archive
4. Respond
5. Do
6. Defer
Handle things once!
Make snap decisions, or defer.
Use technology (filters).
Extra advice
Command your Inbox
Don’t keep it open.
Set fix intervals to handle e-mail.
Don’t let your inbox control you
Remember...
Your inbox is a to-do list where other people can put items on...
Remember...
Your inbox is a to-do list where other people can put items on...
Unless you control it.
Remember...
Good luck!
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