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| -rw-r--r-- | inboxes.mdwn | 40 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | index.mdwn | 13 |
2 files changed, 40 insertions, 13 deletions
diff --git a/inboxes.mdwn b/inboxes.mdwn index 1998c80..57a40a1 100644 --- a/inboxes.mdwn +++ b/inboxes.mdwn @@ -57,3 +57,43 @@ to worry whether you've replied to everything that needs replying. A further benefit, also of great benefit, is that you're likely to reply to mail much faster than before. +Inputs +------ + +The same processing principles work for all kinds of input, not just +e-mail. You should collect, whenever possible, all inputs in your +life into inboxes, which you regularly process until they're empty. +For each inbox item you decide whether to discard it, do the required +action immediately, do it later, delegate it to someone else, or +whether the item just needs to be filed. + +Hackers tend to mostly deal with digital inputs, but there's always +some physical ones as well. If nothing else, TPS reports and their +cover sheets. If you have more than a couple of inboxes, you may +need to keep a checklist of them. For physical inboxes, it is often +easiest to have as few as possible, but experiment with what works +for you. + +Your phone may also be an inbox. For example, text messages, voicemail, +notes you write on the phone, photos and videos you take, etc, are all +inbox fodder. + +Some inboxes you should empty frequently, several times a day. Some +can be done more rarely. For example, Lars usually processes his +physical inbox once or twice a week, since any items that go into +it tend not to be urgent. + +When you've processed an item from the inbox, you need to remove it +from the inbox. This means you need to have a place to put it, even +if it is only the trash. We will cover filing systems and other related +tools later. + +Information overload +-------------------- + +Sometimes processing inputs in this more efficient manner is still not +enough. It may be that you're getting so much input that it's just +not possible to deal with all of it. In that case, you need to filter +away unwanted stuff automatically, or stop it from being sent to you +in the first place. + @@ -62,19 +62,6 @@ Outline at the moment - "current files" for stuff relevant for current projects and next actions * [[Inputs and inboxes|inboxes]] - - keeping up with the flow: process more efficiently, stop unwanted inputs - - physical vs electronic inboxes: as few physical ones as you can get away - with, but electronic ones can be several - - the decision making process for inbox items - + analyze the item (or group of items), and decide what's appropriate - + do at once - + defer until later, as next actions or projects - + discard entirely - + file away in case it's needed later, but doesn't require other action - + delegate for someone else to do (+ add waiting-for item) - - make sure you have places for the inbox items to go. If your archive or - todo system is insufficient then you'll be tempted to leave things in - your inbox until you deal with them. * [[Projects and next actions|projects-next-actions]] - next action: physical action, well-defined, preferably less than 15 min - project: anything that takes more than one step, but less than a year |