the stop doing list

I can't remember where I stole this idea from, but its worth the stealing, so go ahead.

Most people have a do list of some sort. Written, electronic, in your head, you have a bunch of stuff that you have to get done. Some where I came across the idea that you should also keep a 'stop doing list'. Naturally, I tried it.

1) Stop checking email constantly.

Once an hour I look at my email during the work day. On weekend ends and free days I look at the beginning of the day and maybe once more at the end of the day. People that communicate with me know they should not expect an 'instant' answer to an email. I got stuff to do. I'm not waiting to jump when they decide to toss an email at me. What a way to live and what a way to curse yourself into perpetual servitude.

I know many firms that demand instant response of their staff. After 10 minutes they call and demand why haven't you responded to my email? Stupid. We use the phone for instant communication and even that should be on the stop doing list.

2) Stop getting a notification every time your smartphone gets an email.

See above.

3) Stop filing your email

I used to spend at least one hour every day and sometimes several hours more just filing email against the day I might need it. Well I might need it - right? Yes I might in fact need it. But do I have to file it in order to find it again?

NOPE!

Get good at searching your email. Learn how to use the email application's searching tools.

Consider using Google Desktop or Microsoft's Live Search for your desktop.

Even better, which is what I have done now for the past 89,000 emails, use a service like Google Mail. Nobody searches better than Google (at the moment).

I don't file ANYTHING in email anymore. Nothing. I have an inbox with 89,000 items in it. And I have room for 250,000 more before I need to even think about taking action about it. And I can search the whole thing for any word, date, time, phone number, directions, login name, whatever in less than a second. I can't navigate a filing system nearly as fast as that.

Stop filing and start searching.

Here are Google's Mail searching tips http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/tip-slice-and-dice-your-mail-with.html

4) Stop reading email if you don't have time (or energy) to deal with it as you read it

Reading an email takes time. Re-reading it takes more time. Re-re-reading it takes even more time. Wasted time.

Read it once and do one of four things with it

a) Respond to it

b) Act on it (or delegate it - my favourite)

c) File it (or use google email see above)

d) Toss it

R.A.F.T. one stop shopping for your email routine.

5) Stop reading Steve's silly blog...

A stop doing list can be as helpful as a Do List. Depending on your ... situation.. you might include, stop having beer at breakfast, stop eating pork rhines, stop sleeping in or getting up early, whatever, its your list. Its a reminder and a plan. Have fun with it. But check in with the list from time to time and see how you are doing.