A Fuller View

I like Oliver Burkeman’s column in The Guardian Weekend magazine (printed “dead tree” edition on Saturdays in the UK) - its called “This Column Will Change Your Life” and here’s a sample. Doesn’t look like all of these columns make it to the online version - his Jan 19 & Feb 23, 2008 pieces had some nice tips that I will paraphrase and reproduce below.

He introduce me to the term “strategic incompetence” - which can be a good skill to cultivate. Here’s an example: your boss asks you to learn as new software tool, but isntead you plead ignorance and find someone else in the office to take on the task. Or as Oliver chimes “I’d do the laundry - I’m just worried I’ll damage your clothes.” This really a micro form of expectations management. Always a good thing to do. A related tip is to remember the power of “no” and thus training your co-workers, children and partners not to always expect “yes.”

The best tip in his early January column, in my opinion, was his advice on email reply time lags…

If you’re driven crazy at work by ceaseless emails demanding instant responses, try always waiting a few hours to respond, even when you have no reason to wait. Far better to have a reputation as someone who reliably replies within 24 hours than someone who replies within seconds…

Further, this reminds me that if you check and reply to emails say 2x a day (once in the AM and once in the PM) you will be far more productive and happier.

Moving on to last week’s column he had some useful tips on filling. I am going to start implementing Numbers 1, 2 & 4 right away.

1. For paper files, a simple A-Z system is best.
2. For electronic docs you only need one folder called “archive”. Use your PC/Macs existing internal search or a good desk top search app. This applies to emails.
3. The degree of orderliness should be proportional to the likelihood of needing to locate things.
4. File less; discard/recycle more.

I would say that with e-docs and email that a few folders for key items is very useful. For example with email I have 2 Admin folders - one for travel and conference call info and another for HR/expenses etc. This way when I am on the road or in a hurry I can always access key emails very quickly. Same goes for word docs, powerpoints etc.

The above is a sort fo “middle way” and credit is due to Zen Habits and 43 Folders.