Archive - Jun 2006

When thinking about the concepts of modern personal productivity methods, I've found the following "tips" format helpful. If you practice GTD, you might think of it as a kind of applied version of Allen's article Ready To Test For Your Belt?

I'd like to share this list with you in hopes that it will be useful, either as a "How am I doing?" list (i.e., Check the statements that apply to the way you work.), or as a way to assess where you might like to take action in your life (i.e., Choose the area(s) that give you the most challenge in getting your work done.) Note that items are grouped by workflow stage.

I'd be very grateful for additions and feedback.

Collect

• “Stuff” enters my life via a small number of collecting points (physical in-basket, email, voice mail, etc.) ____

While reading Build an effective time-management system by Laura Stack, I had an aha when I read the following:

You can also use [...] A-Z tabs to track communications and lists. [...] Write the name of each person with whom you communicate frequently at the top: subordinates who report to you, key coworkers, clients, your boss, spouse, children, and so on. As you think of things you need to discuss [...] simply turn to that person's log, filed behind the first letter in the person's name, and make a note.

Those familiar with David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology will recognize this as his agenda idea.

I'd like to pass along something I've been trying out that's been surprisingly helpful in dealing with others. It's quite simple: I've combined Nicholas Boothman's idea of a Really Useful Attitude (from the book How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less [1]) with smiling when I approach someone new. This approach (RUA+Smile) has resulted in amazingly better interactions with people, especially folks with "problems."

Briefly, here's how it works: First, before an encounter with someone I establish the useful attitude I want to bring to it. I usually pick two, such as curious and needing help. Then I put a smile on my face and jump right in.

(In which the author serves up a light-hearted summer offering for his tactile-depraved fellow person.)