|
|
Timely Tips May 2013:
Brief Video On Spring Cleaning Your Inbox, Desk Clutter, Workstation, and Office *Plus the PDF compilation article of the three-part discussion on CC's, Replies, Forwards, and FYI's
|
May 2013
|
|
| Greetings!
Wow, what a month! I'm pretty sure that May 2013 was the single busiest month I've had since starting my business 9 years ago. Add to that unwinding from the recent home and biz move (we are now down to only four rooms full of boxes!) and my daughters' annual dance recital (where I danced too!), and you can see why Timely Tips is coming out right at the tail end of the month.
It has been a while since I've done a video tip, and one of my clients made this easy. Let's get to it:
|
A Five-Minute Video Blog on Spring Cleaning Your Inbox, Desk Clutter, and Workstation/Office
| This is ALWAYS the place to look for your Timely Tip!
One of my favorite clients -- the folks at Michigan State University's HRD group -- asked me if I could do a brief video on "spring cleaning" in your inbox and office. I did this in five minutes and in one take, but it shares several key tips on how to get your office under control.
Here is the link.
It is posted on the University video server via WordPress, so if you click on it and it is slow or doesn't load, try again at a later time (I'm afraid if a large number of Timely Tips readers all access this file at the same time, it might load slowly or exceed expected bandwidth.)
You'll note some great comments in the comments section below the video. I totally agree with the comment on recycling the items from an in-office "dumpster day" -- I would bet at least 80-90% of the materials discarded from a dumpster day could be recycled (especially after any necessary shredding.)
I hope this little video gives you the inspiration to tackle your inbox clutter and your "stacks and piles", and also gives you managers and directors out there the motivation to give permission and encouragement to your staff to do the same. You WILL see productivity jump if you give people the permission and time to clean up and get organized.
On another note, this video also shows I've been eating a bit too much airport food lately. Yours truly has started his workout program and calorie counting regimen TODAY! ;-)
|
| Here is the link to the compiled 3-part article on better practices for Forwards, CC's, Replies and FYI's | |
I have taken this 3-part discussion from the last three Timely Tips and compiled it into a single article. This "Randy White Paper" may be a really handy document to share with your colleagues, members, or team. And note the permission to publish, reuse, and edit (as long as you give me appropriate credit!)
I could see this document being the basis of a VERY useful brown bag discussion with your work group or team. Add to that the previous discussion on better e-mail subject lines (PDF article here), and you could have a powerful change in your team e-mail behaviors, team dynamics, and team productivity. |
Summer is coming (here???)...
|
It is 88 degrees in East Lansing today as I write this, and the thunderstorms are popping up like popcorn. The freshly cut grass smells wonderful, and the kids are out playing until 9:00 p.m. I LOVE this time of year. I have three big projects this summer: 1) get in shape (per my video above); 2) write a new book (I have an AWESOME idea); and 3) fully set up my new home and office. Unofficial project #4: have lots of fun with the kiddos.
I hope you all get a similar chance to enjoy your summer, and fill it with projects and activities that add value to your work and life.
|
|
|
And please remember to use the links below to connect "socially".
Until next month, Stay Timely!
Randy Dean
Randall Dean Consulting & Training, LLC
http://www.randalldean.com
|
|
|
|
App of the Month
Mint.com
| Mint.com App -- available on ITunes and Google Play.
In my Smart Phone Success programs, I keep getting people over and over raving about Mint.com and the related Mint mobile apps.
This handy app consolidates all of your financial accounts, allowing you to see your spending and track your budgets across all savings, checking, and credit accounts.
If you want better control over your personal spending and/or would like to meet targeted savings goals, this is definitely a web site and app to check out:
More info on Mint.com and related Mint mobile apps here.
|
|
Something to consider ...
| Did you ever think about the fact that if you have the Wikipedia app, the Dictionary.com app, the WolframAlpha app for mathematical calculations, a health app like WebMD, a good geography app like Google Maps or (even better) Google Earth, and possibly a language translation app, you probably have about 98% of all knowledge ever created at your fingertips?
I recommend you set up a reference panel and/or group on your smart phone/tablet device. That would take you about 5-10 minutes, and you'd have access to it forever. Then, think about your specific line of work, personal hobbies and/or passions, and see if there are specific reference apps for those too. Wouldn't it be great if your devices didn't waste your time but instead made you smarter? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
