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General Discussion => Essentially Flyertalk => Topic started by: The Big Train on March 22, 2017, 09:32:19 AM

Title: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: The Big Train on March 22, 2017, 09:32:19 AM
We all have tips and tricks that can make us more productive. Some are stupid and only for some people but others can help the masses. What stuff makes you more productive?

I'll start. So I get like a million emails a day and it's hard to keep track of all the different projects and to dos. I use the 'Inbox Zero Method' to managing my email and because of it I am super productive.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 09:39:36 AM
I don't know what that is but I'm pretty sure I do that too
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 09:42:32 AM
i don't delete or organize anything
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: mocat on March 22, 2017, 09:43:57 AM
i use the inbox 7000 method
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Rage Against the McKee on March 22, 2017, 09:45:05 AM
Sometimes if I'm hungry and there's a show on tv that I want to watch, I'll eat and watch the show at the same time.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 09:45:59 AM
voicemails on desk phone are auto transferred to my inbox as wav attachments.  i can instantly delete those much quicker than using whatever my voicemail pin is
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: mocat on March 22, 2017, 09:46:39 AM
like once every few months i will go delete all emails >1 year old, feels amazing
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Rage Against the McKee on March 22, 2017, 09:48:18 AM
voicemails on desk phone are auto transferred to my inbox as wav attachments.  i can instantly delete those much quicker than using whatever my voicemail pin is

I just let the voicemail light keep flashing. I don't even notice it.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Gooch on March 22, 2017, 09:49:15 AM
Adderall
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 09:50:38 AM
Adderall

that's a good one
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: CHONGS on March 22, 2017, 09:51:36 AM
Make sure i do at least one fun task a day
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 09:52:07 AM
I have a folder for every single project I do, even those that I have only 1 email for sorted by year and awarded/not awarded  :shy:

Then I have a folder for the random crap the boss emails out.

A folder that auto directs paystubs into and fwd's to personal email.

The only thing allowed to remain in the inbox is current project related
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 09:53:35 AM
A blinking voice-mail or missed call light is like maddening to me. It must be taken care of immediately
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 09:55:24 AM
voicemails on desk phone are auto transferred to my inbox as wav attachments.  i can instantly delete those much quicker than using whatever my voicemail pin is

My boss does this, I need to learn how
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 10:00:46 AM
I consider myself to be an advanced hot key user. Very productive
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: The Big Train on March 22, 2017, 10:07:00 AM
I have a folder for every single project I do, even those that I have only 1 email for sorted by year and awarded/not awarded  :shy:

Then I have a folder for the random crap the boss emails out.

A folder that auto directs paystubs into and fwd's to personal email.

The only thing allowed to remain in the inbox is current project related

This sounds like Inbox Zero Method Pro. I just use the free version
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: pissclams on March 22, 2017, 10:11:50 AM
i can't think of anything that would make more more productive than i already am.  i produce at a very high level because i have trained myself to operate at ultimate efficiency, 24/7 365.  there are no wasted steps in my biosphere.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: yoga-like_abana on March 22, 2017, 10:13:48 AM
A blinking voice-mail or missed call light is like maddening to me. It must be taken care of immediately
agreed, I hate that about me though.
I usually log off of a buncha sites in order to be more productive
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: 420seriouscat69 on March 22, 2017, 10:14:10 AM
deadlines
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Phil Titola on March 22, 2017, 10:17:13 AM
Inbox zero

Standing desk

Complete quick tasks immediately (required trainings etc)

Never answer the phone from an external number

Phone task list app with alerts. Immediately put new things I need to do into  app. People who use calendar appointments for alerts drive me crazy.

Delegate and don't micro manage the delegation task
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Emo EMAW on March 22, 2017, 10:17:44 AM
I only work on what's important.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Brock Landers on March 22, 2017, 10:21:47 AM
Set your status to Busy or Do Not Disturb.  Amazingly lots of people will hesitate to send an IM or email becaase of it.

I need to look into this Inbox Zero thingy.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Phil Titola on March 22, 2017, 10:23:35 AM
People that block out their entire calendar  :shakesfist:
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: billyzabka on March 22, 2017, 10:31:18 AM
It doesn't work for every type of job but I do pomodoros with 42 minutes of work and 18 minute breaks.

During the 42 I focus on one task, close email, put phone on do not disturb, close door to office, no checking ge, twitter, fb, etc...

Once 42 minutes is up, i do whatever I want for 18 minutes. Repeat as many times as possible. My goal is to complete 20 cycles per week.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: wetwillie on March 22, 2017, 10:36:40 AM
I tell my secretary to say I'm unavailable and hit the links
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Brock Landers on March 22, 2017, 10:37:53 AM
People that block out their entire calendar  :shakesfist:

Ooh good one, thanks for the productivity tip Phil!
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 10:45:31 AM
It doesn't work for every type of job but I do pomodoros with 42 minutes of work and 18 minute breaks.

During the 42 I focus on one task, close email, put phone on do not disturb, close door to office, no checking ge, twitter, fb, etc...

Once 42 minutes is up, i do whatever I want for 18 minutes. Repeat as many times as possible. My goal is to complete 20 cycles per week.

I do 18 minutes of work and 42 minutes of break
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 10:46:56 AM
every cycle per week
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: halfEmpty on March 22, 2017, 11:58:31 AM
I guess I do the inbox zero method?  All emails that have been addressed go into a project folder, all junk(anything from corporate) goes into a separate folder, all personal items (expenses, etc..) go into a personal folder and inbox only contains non-addressed emails.  I haven't checked my voicemail in 3+ years (we use instant messaging for almost all internal communication).  And I sit super low in my chair so people don't even know I'm here.  70% of the work I do is for other offices so I rarely have people visiting me anyway.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: pissclams on March 22, 2017, 12:03:21 PM
those of you looking to be more productive, can i ask why?
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Yard Dog on March 22, 2017, 01:17:53 PM
I do the inbox zero method. Nothing feels better than when I don't have to scroll around. I also have a very organized structure of folders on Outlook so I can easily find and reference old emails without having to use the search function.

I also like the GE Replies zero method. When I click on my replies tab and it is empty I tend to be more productive at work.

The head of my department calls me headphones because I wear big skull candy over the head/ear headphones. This is the best way to keep people from stopping to talk to me if I don't want to be disturbed. I'll even slip them on and not listen to music sometimes just to guarantee being left alone.

Besides that I am social person, so making sure I have a few meaningful conversations a day, preferably away from my desk, make me less distracted and more focused when I get back to work.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: cfbandyman on March 22, 2017, 01:42:16 PM
Inbox is always read, but has only "open" or relevant items. Once it's closed or out of date I put emails into project folders.

I turn off as many alerts as possible from Outlook and my phone, and only look at the inbox when I'm ready to look at it, cause any time I am pinged or see and alert, I just can't not look at, or I'll be distracted.

Work playlist full of Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, beat music and the like  to block out sound and keep moving.

Fill out a weekly to daily to do list on a post it note to keep handy of the tasks I need to do in a day. Very satisfying to cross those out/throw away post it not when those items are done.

Agree with the phone voicemail, having it lit up with a voicemail annoys me needs to be taken care of immediately.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Yard Dog on March 22, 2017, 01:50:33 PM
My department uses lync phones - skype for business phones now - and all of my voicemails pop into my outlook as an email with an attached audio file. This is pretty spectacular because I can just forward it on to people if it is pertinent someone else should hear the message.

those of you looking to be more productive, can i ask why?

I have a boss that "would love to help me increase my compensation" but he "needs evidence that I am going above and beyond" so increased productivity definitely helps.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 02:01:55 PM
i try to be less than 30 minutes late most mornings
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Phil Titola on March 22, 2017, 02:45:15 PM
Email folders are not productive I've been told. Effective search (aka non_gE search) is actually more productive.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 03:19:18 PM
You can still search smdh
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Yard Dog on March 22, 2017, 03:39:12 PM
Email folders are not productive I've been told. Effective search (aka non_gE search) is actually more productive.

The trouble is the emails that don't mention a project by name or when you have a vendor who contacts you with several different people.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Phil Titola on March 22, 2017, 03:50:38 PM
That's what we were told by our email archive vendor when asked about foldering.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: wetwillie on March 22, 2017, 03:56:33 PM
Email folders are not productive I've been told. Effective search (aka non_gE search) is actually more productive.

The trouble is the emails that don't mention a project by name or when you have a vendor who contacts you with several different people.

Forward it to yourself and retitle with a crap ton of keywords so you can easily find it later.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Yard Dog on March 22, 2017, 04:14:53 PM
Email folders are not productive I've been told. Effective search (aka non_gE search) is actually more productive.

The trouble is the emails that don't mention a project by name or when you have a vendor who contacts you with several different people.

Forward it to yourself and retitle with a crap ton of keywords so you can easily find it later.

Sounds like a ton of extra work I would be creating for myself when my folder system is working just fine. :dunno:
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Emo EMAW on March 22, 2017, 04:37:11 PM
You guys are spending a lot of time making sure that everything gets done.  It's more productive to not spend that time worrying about everything and just do what's important. 
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 04:40:45 PM
emo gets it
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: star seed 7 on March 22, 2017, 04:41:28 PM
It's important to get everything done
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: The Big Train on March 22, 2017, 05:34:37 PM
Email folders are not productive I've been told. Effective search (aka non_gE search) is actually more productive.

The trouble is the emails that don't mention a project by name or when you have a vendor who contacts you with several different people.

I have no issues finding emails with or without project names in them because I also have a superior memory along with great organization.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: puniraptor on March 22, 2017, 06:18:43 PM
A blinking voice-mail or missed call light is like maddening to me. It must be taken care of immediately

my productivity #ack on this topic is to disable voicemail on your phone. Great for inner peace, maybe not that great for people around my desk when the phone rings for 10 minutes when im not here.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: WillieWatanabe on March 22, 2017, 09:54:54 PM
Inbox is always read, but has only "open" or relevant items. Once it's closed or out of date I put emails into project folders.


This is my method. I usually have 10-20 emails in my inbox at a time. If i would try the zero method, i feel like i would be forgetting things constantly.
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: steve dave on March 22, 2017, 10:08:21 PM
Not having a 3 year and 9 month old
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: steve dave on March 22, 2017, 10:08:41 PM
Everything else is garbage
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: steve dave on March 22, 2017, 10:09:29 PM
Say you don't have said kid responsibilities....maybe don't be such a lazy POS?
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Tobias on March 22, 2017, 10:10:51 PM
idiot
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) on March 22, 2017, 10:32:06 PM
Skip lunch, everyday
Title: Re: Stuff that make you more productive
Post by: pissclams on March 23, 2017, 07:50:08 AM
Skip lunch, everyday

sounds like a terrible way to live

option a:  eat this delicious chipotle burrito and bbs
option b:  knock out a few construction HVAC meat goat designs and jump on a conference call with our new VP

smdh