Do you feel like this when you see your inbox?
[Watch the video first, but this is what caused it]
Here are 7 tips for avoiding information overload from Ron Geraci:
1. Spot the signs. Feel alone even as you communicate with people all day? That’s a signal technology is dominating your life.
2. Take baby steps. Try being inaccessible for short spurts to see what happens. The world probably won’t implode.
3. Repeat these four words: “I have a choice.” People who say, “My boss wants me to be reachable after 8 p.m.” are likely exaggerating the control others have over them.
4. Set limits. Rein in office e-mail and instant message traffic. Who truly needs 35 daily FYIs on the Henderson case?…
5. Give clear instructions. Try an e-mail signature that reads “I answer e-mail at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. If you need a quicker response, please call.”
6. Make a task list. If you’re interrupted, you’ll get back to work faster if you have one.
7. Stick to a schedule. Handle recreational Web surfing and e-mail at set times. Dipping in and out is classic self-interruption.
Related posts:
The Art of Letting Bad Things Happen (and Weapons of Mass Distraction)
The Not-To-Do List: 9 Habits to Stop Now
How Scoble Reads 622 RSS Feeds Each Morning
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Odds and Ends: Competition Winners
For the weekend retirement test-drive competition (lifestyle redesign in 48 hours), the grand-prize winner was working mom Michelle, and the runner-up was triathlete and student Daley. Three cases of books and other goodies are off to you as soon as we receive your addresses — check your inbox!
For the Learn to Eat Chocolate with Willie Wonka competition, there is great news all around. I’ve reposted the winning entries for chocolate below the announcements.
First off, Christine won the first Joseph Schmidt valentine case because she used Grover, and I am a Grover FANATIC (Animal is still my favorite, though), among other reasons. Evan, who many of you thought should win, got runner-up and my remaining personal supply of Scharffen Berger gourmet chocolates. Tom at Scharffen Berger was also cool enough to volunteer to send chocolates to Jen and Tay.
LizLovely pulled a surprise move and sent out this e-mail after telling me of their intentions:
“We were so overwhelmed by your funny responses and heartfelt enthusiasm that we decided to send all of you who gave reasons a couple of cookies! We’re a tiny bootstrap operation in Vermont who is still struggling to pay the bills, so please forgive us for not being able to send overnight, but we’ll get them out ASAP via first-class mail 🙂 Please send us your addresses, and a very happy Valentine’s Day from us and Tim!”
How cool is that? These guys should be supported, so grab something from their site, and please don’t ask for more freebies, as their staff of five is already pulling overtime just to make their little venture turn into a big success.
The best part? I didn’t even know their stuff was vegan! I loved the ginger cookies and only found out about the vegan part after readers commented about it. That is some baking magic.
Have a yummy and lovely Valentine’s Day 🙂
Here are the chocolate winners:
Tay
Hi Tim,
I’m a fan of your book and blog. So inspired, in fact, I quit my day job in October and went full-time in my studio. I want that chocolate! Reasons why are these:
1)Two weeks after quitting my day job I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m doing battle (and winning!) with the best of Western and Eastern medicine. I need those antioxidents, man!
2)I’m a young single woman and I’ll be spending my Valentine’s Day morning getting radiation treatment and meeting with my oncologist about side effects.
3)If I’m not having sex this Valentine’s Day, at least I need to be having chocolate. (Like you, Tim, I eat a little dark choc every night as well, actually…so even if I don’t win, I’ll eat some chocolate)
By the way, congrats! 4HWW is totally NOW and sexy. Glad Cosmo is on board. i am sure that means so much. *grin*
If you want to verify my (sob)story, I’m writing a blog on it here:
http://www.myturnip.blogspot.com
Thanks, Tim.
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Christine
Hey Tim,
I am just getting to read your chocolate posting now and probably missed the deadline, but here are my reasons why:
– I had a dream about you this weekend (really) and since you skipped the flowers I guess a basket of chocolate will do
– I’m going to the Dominican Republic this weekend to visit my grandma. Since she, well, can’t really chew – truffles would be a great thing to share with her
– I work at Sesame Street and I promise to send you a picture with Grover and the basket of chocolate 🙂
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Evan Drake
For the Joseph Schmidt Valentine package:
* My girlfriend will melt. She is a chocolate addict.
* This is much better than the pathetic Belgian chocolate I was planning to give her.
* The chances of me getting laid are higher than the percentage of cacao in these truffles.
Make a brother happy.
Thanks,
Evan
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Jennifer Bingham-Heart
Hi Tim,
First off I have to say I love your mind, body and soul. You seem really connected to life and that is rare in the world, Kudos and Yummm 😉 Thanks for all your inspiration so all of us can become more whole and less addicted to distraction. (Ha-ha I said dicted!)
BTW- Heart IS my last name and there is a story behind it. It doesn’t come from my Mother’s wish for her daughter to be asked for years-Did your name come from the TV show Hart to Hart?
On to the list-
* Daddy, I want a chocolate box now! I want the whole world- Give it to me NOW!
* You must give ME the chocolate as it is your duty as a single man to give to a single woman. Consequences for insubordination are being hand cuffed, flogged and hot chocolate.
* Because chocolate is a substitute for not yet having a special someone to make love to. And another fun fact- Chocolate contains phenethylamine, a nutrient that enhances mood and is the chemical we produce in our brains when we fall in love.
How do you like them apples?!!
Happy Valentines Day!
Love and Hugs,
Jen
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