inside eproductivity.comhttp://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/en-usThu, 29 Jul 2010 11:43:42 AM -0700 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:43:42 AM -0700 Ryan Heathers 2 Tips for Organizing Digital "Reference" Items
That's a great tip. It's seems especially relevant for paper files because they take up a lot more physical space and don't have full-text index searching to help you locate the information you're seeking.]]>
That's a great tip. It's seems especially relevant for paper files because they take up a lot more physical space and don't have full-text index searching to help you locate the information you're seeking.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/2-tips-for-organizing-digital-reference-items?opendocument&comments#07292010114342AMRHEPYF.htm Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:42:53 AM -0700 David Littlehales 2 Tips for Organizing Digital "Reference" Items
12 months of the year, each month getting two letters. So January gets A and B files, February C & D files and so on with December getting the final extra months of the alphabet. This applies to files, phone lists, whatever.

This has helped me considerably for just have junk become more junk.]]>
12 months of the year, each month getting two letters. So January gets A and B files, February C & D files and so on with December getting the final extra months of the alphabet. This applies to files, phone lists, whatever.

This has helped me considerably for just have junk become more junk.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/2-tips-for-organizing-digital-reference-items?opendocument&comments#07292010064253AMICAJ4C.htm Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:28:40 AM -0700 Cherisa 3 Things I’ve Learned about Being Productive when Telecommuting http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/3-things-ive-learned-about-being-productive-when-telecommuting?opendocument&comments#06142010092840AMICAMBY.htm Fri, 4 Jun 2010 08:43:43 AM -0700 Paul Scheuer Categorized or Standard Inbox?
1. Ability to "see" my new meeting invites from my inbox (don't have to switch views), threfore no risk of missing meetings.

2. A more "in your face" reminder of urgent emails (not that looking for the red ! is difficult)

I agree with "feeling" of many other IBMers that staying in this view sorted oldest to youngest (top to bottom) feels like a detractor, but I think it's just because of being accustomed to the IBM template. Think about this:

Should we process non-urgent mails youngest to oldest? In the context of GTD, it is incorrect - you may find that the oldest email really is a "hidden" task that had you made it a task before processing everythng else, by virtue of its due date becomes your highest priority.

How I process now (with what I call the IBM view + IBM backward sort):

1. Act on meeting notices from the inbox - save many clicks

2. Act on oldest urgent emails

3. drop to the bottom on the normal priority emails and "slide-up" the preview pane to view the oldest, non-urgent email. take 1 of 4 acions:

a. Delete (I have a button on my mouse programmed to do this)

b.drag right (associate to an existing project or action)

c.drag left (convert it to a new project or action)

d.reply (if I think I can beat the 2min rule) & process the reply as either a "drag left" or "drag right" item

The template will them advance to the next oldest email automatically.

so, don't get hung-up of the direction that you're using in "plowing through" your emails. Once I made these steps a habbit, I was less anxious about not getting to aging emails.]]>
1. Ability to "see" my new meeting invites from my inbox (don't have to switch views), threfore no risk of missing meetings.

2. A more "in your face" reminder of urgent emails (not that looking for the red ! is difficult)

I agree with "feeling" of many other IBMers that staying in this view sorted oldest to youngest (top to bottom) feels like a detractor, but I think it's just because of being accustomed to the IBM template. Think about this:

Should we process non-urgent mails youngest to oldest? In the context of GTD, it is incorrect - you may find that the oldest email really is a "hidden" task that had you made it a task before processing everythng else, by virtue of its due date becomes your highest priority.

How I process now (with what I call the IBM view + IBM backward sort):

1. Act on meeting notices from the inbox - save many clicks

2. Act on oldest urgent emails

3. drop to the bottom on the normal priority emails and "slide-up" the preview pane to view the oldest, non-urgent email. take 1 of 4 acions:

a. Delete (I have a button on my mouse programmed to do this)

b.drag right (associate to an existing project or action)

c.drag left (convert it to a new project or action)

d.reply (if I think I can beat the 2min rule) & process the reply as either a "drag left" or "drag right" item

The template will them advance to the next oldest email automatically.

so, don't get hung-up of the direction that you're using in "plowing through" your emails. Once I made these steps a habbit, I was less anxious about not getting to aging emails.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#06042010084343AMICALFV.htm Sat, 22 May 2010 11:08:12 PM -0700 Ryan Heathers 3 Things I’ve Learned about Being Productive when Telecommuting
Great story about your colleague and his garden shed office. I identify with the psychological need for a "commute" when working from home. It's another benefit when I go to my local coffee shop to do my work.

@Roy

I haven't tried using the TV to create background noise, but it's an interesting idea.]]>
Great story about your colleague and his garden shed office. I identify with the psychological need for a "commute" when working from home. It's another benefit when I go to my local coffee shop to do my work.

@Roy

I haven't tried using the TV to create background noise, but it's an interesting idea.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/3-things-ive-learned-about-being-productive-when-telecommuting?opendocument&comments#05222010110812PMICA987.htm Sat, 22 May 2010 07:31:39 AM -0700 Roy Rumaner 3 Things I’ve Learned about Being Productive when Telecommuting
I also make sure I take frequent breaks to walk around the house or go outside for a few minutes. This makes it feel as if I am going to a meeting or walking to another office to meet with a coworker (even it it is only to pet the dog next door). Of course I take the cordless phone with me just in case a client decides to call me at that moment.]]>
I also make sure I take frequent breaks to walk around the house or go outside for a few minutes. This makes it feel as if I am going to a meeting or walking to another office to meet with a coworker (even it it is only to pet the dog next door). Of course I take the cordless phone with me just in case a client decides to call me at that moment.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/3-things-ive-learned-about-being-productive-when-telecommuting?opendocument&comments#05222010073139AMICAK2U.htm Sat, 22 May 2010 04:17:32 AM -0700 Brian O'Donovan 3 Things I’ve Learned about Being Productive when Telecommuting
This is a great post and is spot on about working from home, which is not as perfect as it seems to people who have never tried it.

I like listening to music even when working from the office. I pick the music to match the mood I want to induce. There is no such thing as complete silence. If I don't have music playing I find that I can't help my mind from concentrating too much on whatever background noise there is.

When you work from an office outside your home it is easy to define the time spend on work as the time spent in the office, but if you are working from home it is not too easy. A colleague of mine who worked exclusively from his home office set up his home office in the garden shed because he found that psychologically he preferred to have a commute to the office even if the commute was only a few meters long.

Brian]]>
This is a great post and is spot on about working from home, which is not as perfect as it seems to people who have never tried it.

I like listening to music even when working from the office. I pick the music to match the mood I want to induce. There is no such thing as complete silence. If I don't have music playing I find that I can't help my mind from concentrating too much on whatever background noise there is.

When you work from an office outside your home it is easy to define the time spend on work as the time spent in the office, but if you are working from home it is not too easy. A colleague of mine who worked exclusively from his home office set up his home office in the garden shed because he found that psychologically he preferred to have a commute to the office even if the commute was only a few meters long.

Brian]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/3-things-ive-learned-about-being-productive-when-telecommuting?opendocument&comments#05222010041732AMICAF9H.htm Fri, 21 May 2010 02:03:53 AM -0700 Ryan Heathers Categorized or Standard Inbox?
If you're running the eProductivity 2.x beta, we provide the Categorized view as an option. Alternatively, if your company has customized your regular Notes mail template to unhide the Categorized view, then it would be available to you.

These are the two primary ways to get the Categorized feature.]]>
If you're running the eProductivity 2.x beta, we provide the Categorized view as an option. Alternatively, if your company has customized your regular Notes mail template to unhide the Categorized view, then it would be available to you.

These are the two primary ways to get the Categorized feature.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05212010020353AMICACMY.htm Thu, 20 May 2010 10:20:26 PM -0700 Tom Giovanetti Categorized or Standard Inbox?
Thanks.]]>
Thanks.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05202010102026PMICA8AB.htm Thu, 20 May 2010 12:42:48 PM -0700 Ryan Heathers 3 Things I’ve Learned about Being Productive when Telecommuting http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/3-things-ive-learned-about-being-productive-when-telecommuting?opendocument&comments#05202010124248PMICAR5B.htm Thu, 20 May 2010 09:53:22 AM -0700 Chris Blatnick 3 Things I’ve Learned about Being Productive when Telecommuting http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/3-things-ive-learned-about-being-productive-when-telecommuting?opendocument&comments#05202010095322AMICAMTE.htm Thu, 20 May 2010 07:27:01 AM -0700 Pierre-Alain Luder Categorized or Standard Inbox? http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#20052010072701ICAJXX.htm Sun, 9 May 2010 06:51:53 PM -0700 Peter Robinson Categorized or Standard Inbox?
I agree, in general, that the categorisation should not be required, but I work with some worldwide teams and can start work with a full inbox when it had been empty the night before. Categorisation to split the calendar notes and regular emails (not by importance for me) is useful in this case so I can quickly check whether any meeting requests are for today.

pjr]]>
I agree, in general, that the categorisation should not be required, but I work with some worldwide teams and can start work with a full inbox when it had been empty the night before. Categorisation to split the calendar notes and regular emails (not by importance for me) is useful in this case so I can quickly check whether any meeting requests are for today.

pjr]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05092010065153PMICA47Y.htm Sat, 8 May 2010 12:06:37 AM -0700 Ryan Heathers The GTD & Lotus Notes webinar is tomorrow! http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/the-gtd-lotus-notes-webinar-is-tomorrow?opendocument&comments#05082010120637AMICAACP.htm Fri, 7 May 2010 11:41:36 PM -0700 Ryan Heathers Create ’Waiting For’ items with fewer clicks http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/create-waiting-for-items-with-fewer-clicks?opendocument&comments#05072010114136PMICA9V4.htm Fri, 7 May 2010 05:45:58 PM -0700 Stephan H. Wissel Create ’Waiting For’ items with fewer clicks
:-) stw]]>
:-) stw]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/create-waiting-for-items-with-fewer-clicks?opendocument&comments#05072010054558PMICA2WS.htm Fri, 7 May 2010 04:40:10 PM -0700 Kevin Brady Categorized or Standard Inbox?
Sorting by (name and date), or date, or (subject and date) - sort by subject should strip out 'RE','FWD', etc.]]>
Sorting by (name and date), or date, or (subject and date) - sort by subject should strip out 'RE','FWD', etc.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05072010044010PMICAVRN.htm Thu, 6 May 2010 04:13:48 PM -0700 Andrea Ames Categorized or Standard Inbox?
For the rest, it would be nice to have the option to separate "urgent" items, but not necessary for me (and it would be nice to be able to choose/turn this on/off).

As for sort order, I've adapted to both most-recent on top, as well as oldest on top. I could go either way, but that would be another nice preference option.

I also do not think it's critical/important for the categorization to extend into my folders -- just inbox is fine.

Jeff, re: calendar shadow, it's working fine for me. I'm using LN 8.5.1.]]>
For the rest, it would be nice to have the option to separate "urgent" items, but not necessary for me (and it would be nice to be able to choose/turn this on/off).

As for sort order, I've adapted to both most-recent on top, as well as oldest on top. I could go either way, but that would be another nice preference option.

I also do not think it's critical/important for the categorization to extend into my folders -- just inbox is fine.

Jeff, re: calendar shadow, it's working fine for me. I'm using LN 8.5.1.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05062010041348PMICAV97.htm Thu, 6 May 2010 02:19:51 PM -0700 Jeff Land Categorized or Standard Inbox?
Since I can be on the road for half a day, I can easily accumulate 30-50 emails or more before I can get to my inbox, and in that bunch of emails, there can be many calendar requests - this is the best feature of the categorized inbox.

On that point, is the calendar shadow feature working? I don't seem to see it. This is a feature in Notes 8.5 in which any calendar request shows up in your calendar but grayed out, until you accept (or decline). Thank you.]]>
Since I can be on the road for half a day, I can easily accumulate 30-50 emails or more before I can get to my inbox, and in that bunch of emails, there can be many calendar requests - this is the best feature of the categorized inbox.

On that point, is the calendar shadow feature working? I don't seem to see it. This is a feature in Notes 8.5 in which any calendar request shows up in your calendar but grayed out, until you accept (or decline). Thank you.]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05062010021951PMICASZY.htm Thu, 6 May 2010 01:33:01 PM -0700 Michael Urspringer Categorized or Standard Inbox?
I agree with Dave: The newest mail has to be first in every category. I changed it by myself in the code and it is now as I would expect it.

As there is mixed feedback here maybe you would like to make this an option which the user can change? I really, really would like to have the categorized inbox also in the production release!]]>
I agree with Dave: The newest mail has to be first in every category. I changed it by myself in the code and it is now as I would expect it.

As there is mixed feedback here maybe you would like to make this an option which the user can change? I really, really would like to have the categorized inbox also in the production release!]]> http://inside.eproductivity.com/ica/eproductivityblog.nsf/dx/categorized-or-standard-inbox---which-do-you-prefer?opendocument&comments#05062010013301PMICAS4P.htm