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Comment on Librarian vs. Archaeologist by dan

dan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:19:48 +0000

Daniel — I totally agree with you. I imagine that in the next year or so, Microsoft will add a powerful search engine into Outlook — one that can search folders and subfolders, and that can actually find something. (The search dog couldn’t find a T-bone strapped around it’s neck.)

I also agree about the value of getting messages out of the inbox. One approach I’ve often advocated is keeping all the old messages in a folder called “Processed Mail.” Then your inbox is clean (or filled with new messages only), but you have the simplicity of the big pile in the other folder.

Comment on Librarian vs. Archaeologist by Daniel Lock

Daniel Lock — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:13:15 +0000

I read this paper the other day too, and it made me stop and think about how I use my email. I have been using gmail for email for a while and realised that even with folders set up, with googles powerful search it is easier to just search for the emails I wanted.

So now, I mostly just archive old messages, have far fewer folders.

Most other email programs, such as Outlook, don’t have anywhere near the search capabilities.

But I still think there is a case for clearing out the inbox. I would still never advocate keeping thousands of messages in the inbox view. This has been one of the best productivity habits I have gotten into.

Comment on A Factory of One is Finally Available! by Tom

Tom — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:09:47 +0000

Here it is, over a month since this blog post, and the book website is nothing but placeholder text, links that go to blank pages or incorrect addresses, and no sample download that I could find. FYI.

Comment on When you can see it, you can manage it. by dan

dan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:15:49 +0000

Tim — interesting you say that. I suggested to my friend that he check out leankitkanban as well! Great minds, and all that….

Comment on When you can see it, you can manage it. by TimC

TimC — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:00:27 +0000

Looks like it’s duplicating the online personal kanban app..Try personalkanban.com or leankitkanban.com.

Comment on Librarian vs. Archaeologist by TimC

TimC — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:56:54 +0000

But, at some point, you need to clean out the old junk. A filing system makes that easier. Unless you just clean out by date.

In the end, having 3,000 items in your inbox isn’t a badge of honor, it’s just an indication of sloppy work.

Comment on Librarian vs. Archaeologist by dan

dan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:15:02 +0000

Wayne,

Thanks for the reminder about Paper Tiger. I spoke with Barbara several years ago, but didn’t go any farther. At that time, Paper Tiger wasn’t electronic. I’ll have to look further into it. Does it help you to remember to buy eggs?

Comment on Librarian vs. Archaeologist by Wayne Radford

Wayne Radford — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:41:03 +0000

Hi Dan.
Read your post on HBR with interest. I agree. I include time, time banding, and references along with Covey / Quadrant methodology and GTD (context) for tasks. It’s a lot. Especially when just remembering to buy eggs.

OCD? No… actually. C, D, O. *grin

What struck me about your ‘librarian’ vs ‘archaeologist’ approach is that I too was overwhelmed by facts, figures, presentation pieces and administrivia – I was working in the financial advisor field for the past 7 years. AMAZINGLY rediculous amount of printed materials …

I found PAPERTIGER to be very helpful. Barbara Hemphill (?SP) and NOW it is online. This is very useful for just ‘file and toss’ stuff – carpet swatches, wine bottles, boxes of odd equipment (I am also a magician, with 1000 odd objects …)

Clutter. Clutter of the mind, and clutter of your day.
Unfortounately, to FOCUS requires more thought about WHAT you are trying to accomplish with all of this stuff.

PaperTiger was recommended to me about 10 years ago. I have been using it for 6. It is a physical method of tracking ‘stuff’ without getting into rediculous detail. You can ‘google search’ for items and physical objects just as easily as files.

Electronic files, have gotten easier. Paper – less (PDF, etc) … is helpful. But if you are still trying to organize alot of crap quickly, so that you can find it again, my bet is in Papertiger.

Thanks for the info. Following you on Twitter. I look forward to more great ideas!

Wayne Radford
your Uncommon Advisor.
(Montreal, Quebec)

Comment on The C-Suite Double Standard by Management Improvement Blog Carnival #155 » Curious Cat Management Improvement Blog

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:47:13 +0000

[...] The C-Suite Double Standard by Dan Markovitz – “I started noticing what I call the C-suite double standard: leaders and executives who are ferocious about improving manufacturing processes and eliminating waste, but who passively accept waste in their office operations and individual work.” [...]

Comment on Rethinking Performance Reviews for 2012 by Rethinking Performance Reviews for 2012 « Crossderry Blog

Rethinking Performance Reviews for 2012 « Crossderry Blog — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:29:59 +0000

[...] Dan Markovitz at Timeback reminds us that performance reviews are a dangerous exercise. Even if we grant their utility, they have a profound credibility gap to bridge. [...]