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InfoTech
1 Feb, 2008 By: Tyler Whitaker Landscape ManagementTips to increase productivity
Recently, I've learned five things you should not do in the emergency room. I've seen a dog rescued from the side of a cliff. And I now know how to dine alone without feeling like a 'loser.'
Am I an accident-prone, negligent dog owner with self-esteem issues? The truth is worse. I'm addicted to news and information.
No, my life is not falling apart. I've learned these useless things from the major media and news outlets available on the Web and TV. The headlines are so good and the video clips so compelling, that I'm drawn in to learn more. Can I help it if I'm naturally curious? The answer is a resounding YES!
With the information age in full swing, one of the biggest productivity problems we have as professionals is too much information. With the Web, email, TV, magazines, books and junk mail, it's no wonder that the end of the business day is getting later and later. Here are a couple ideas to help you regain control of your life.
• Information diet. Too much of our time is wasted on information that has no direct benefit. Knowing what my favorite celebrity train wreck did today will not help me close the next deal nor help me make payroll. This includes joke emails, videos and aimlessly surfing major news sites. Ask yourself, "Am I reading or watching something that will solve my biggest headache?" If your answer is "no" then stop, unsubscribe, turn it off, throw it away. Instead follow the advice from industry professionals and experts using a blog reader, like www.google.com/reader.
• Junk mail. One of the biggest time wasters on my list is junk mail. Sure I've learned to quickly throw away the obvious "current resident" mail. The credit card and insurance offers that drive me crazy and jam up my shredder. That's why I decided to Opt Out via www.optoutprescreen.com. This is a Web site created by the major credit reporting companies to give consumers the ability to take your name off many of the major credit card and insurance companies' mailing lists. You can opt out for five years or permanently. Be prepared that it may take up to 60 days for you to notice a decrease in mail.
• Business email. Business email often degrades into a game of pass the buck, cover your behind or team meeting by email. The rules for productive business email are simple. Keep your emails short and to the point. Keep the recipients to a minimum. For emails over two paragraphs or three replies, you should probably call them on the phone or hold a meeting. Consider using MSN Messenger (get.live.com/messenger) instead of email for short questions and comments. It's quick, easy and it's free.
Productivity increases are a result of focusing on what's important and not just what's interesting. Guard what you pay attention to. Taking the next step based on the right advice is always better than analysis paralysis from too much information. Cut back, narrow your focus and take action.
— The author is a freelance technologist focusing in business automation. Contact him at 801/592-2810 or visit his blog at
www.tylerwhitaker.com.
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