Are you saying less is more? Personally I'm cutting back from 2 jobs to one. Why did I have two? umm the 2nd found me. But I love it & and am giving up the first one of 8 yrs. Something has to give. And I'm going to cut back to working about 50 hrs a week instead of 70. (as I sit here at midnite typing...). I'm looking for that balance too. Keep the thoughts coming!
NEENZ: "INFINITYPRO"
· 2 years ago
It's funny that you blogged about this today as I sit in front of the screen, overwhelmed by choice. I don't want to give any of this up because it's the future, I need to and have to learn this stuff and how to incorporate it into "something."
I find myself, randomly twittering, randomly posting in forums, just consuming loads of time that I really don't have.
I too juggle a day job, two young children, etc. And while they're all supportive of my interests and passions, I know that something must "give."
The solution for me is to come up with a "business plan" for my life, you know? I won't be so structured with respect to the children and my relationship, but I have to figure out, weed out, water and cultivate.
Always an inspiration Mr. Chris Brogan!
In my observance, you've been true to what you've written, being selective...but then again, I've only been following you for a few months.
On my way to digg, del.icio.us, Dot, Ma.rker, and Techno.
Fleep Tuque
· 2 years ago
I hate the term bacn with a red hot passion, but I have to admit that the phrase caused me to think about that category of email and prompted me to do the same - I created some filters and now I just check all my Facebook notices or what-have-you when I get the chance rather than throughout the day. I don't know if it is saving me _time_ per se, but it certainly seems to be helping me concentrate on work when I'm working and on being social/networking when that's my focus.
I've also begun to experiment with multiple profiles for multiple purposes and audiences. While at first that might seem contrary to good time management (more = less??), again, categorizing contacts and profiles by area of interest or social network is helping me stay focused on each specific area at a time. I found that beyond the time-suck problem, the other problem that emerged from the social media overload was a sense of feeling _constantly scattered_. Work email, note from friend, project update, Facebook zombie bite, work phone call, twitter, jump to website, back to work email. Brain can't cope!
Segmenting out "this is my work email address, this is my personal email address, this is my project email address" has helped me tremendously. They can all feed into a central email client, and with filters, I can focus on each area with greater mental concentration than when everyone was emailing the same account. This applies not just for email, but also for Twitter, Second Life, etc.
Look forward to reading others' suggestions!
Fleep Tuque
· 2 years ago
Er, someone dm'd me. Yes, I have multiple Twitter and Second Life accounts. No, I'm not trying to deceive anyone or hide anything!
To take Second Life as an example, the interface does not give me the tools to tell everyone "Hey, I'm giving a presentation to 100 people right now, please don't IM me!" I had to create an account with no friends so I could be sure nothing inappropriate would pop up on the screen during work. Then I discovered it was awfully nice to do content creation on that account because I could get my work done without being bombarded by IMs and group notices and etc, I got the work done faster. More accounts = less time
I expect this method will have diminishing returns at a certain point, particularly if there aren't centralizing applications to tie multiple "personalities" together for easier management, but organizing all the social media I am using is helping me cope with both the time and concentration issues that arise from too much info overload.
Fred Schechter H.B.
· 2 years ago
hmm yet another person in the same techpool I see. Chris I've only been reading you for 3 days (sue me I'm new). Everything I've seen says we're more or less in the same boat (I'm a tad behind).
I too wonder how the email automation works. Additionally my big confusion has been CRM software in addition.
I'm still very behind the ball (I have 3 full sites to get up and moving, and so far,,, kind of one).
Also, I've done the facebook/twitter/pownce thing, but really haven't felt it does much for me (I'd rather spend my time kayaking my google reader river of news).
Anyway, thanks and keep up the great blogging (I'm sure I'm way behind in reading all you've been writing).
I look forward to hearing more about email automation (also maybe I'll get off my butt and re-read the 4 hour work week again too) cheers! -Fred Schechter H.B.
Nicholas Butler
· 2 years ago
Well thats another book on my List then. Id seen an interview Robert Scoble did with Tim Feriss and it went on my someday maybe list. I just got bumped.
Id agree with cutting back on email barrages and too much email. I have taken time with all my clients to explain to them that I dont reply to emails I have received if they dont need a reply. I also explain that I dont receive work via email. Orders for hardware and software certainly but not lists or job notes. Those belong on Phone calls and the tools I provide them to register work.
Getting Things Done has given me a few great tools I have implemented and some others I know I should but just cant implement without failing the loops.
In fact I will save time here by not fully commenting. Nik
Keri
· 2 years ago
I have just over 100 feeds on my reader now, and find it is a bit overwhelming with everything else that is out there so I guess the time has come to do some weeding... but I'll admit this, I think I'm coming here more than anywhere because I'm gleaning more info from you and all your great lists of what is out there and the comments from others and what they are doing with it than anything else.
So, about the bacn filters... spell it out for me with some examples. I'm too tired to figure all of this out for myself tonight. It's my month on jury duty here in the midwest.
And your Twitters may be incessant? But again, for the most part I see them as being focused and helpful - getting out the information and promotion of whatever. So now I need to learn to utilize it for promotion of our little business around here.
Whitney
· 2 years ago
The more on your plate, the more it comes down to triage. Prioritizing as best you can, and concentrating on one thing until it's done.
While planning a conference, as I am learning from Podcamp Philly, pulling all the threads together makes this easily an overwhelming proposition. Sometimes you just have to go for the value add and let some other stuff lay for a bit, or simply decide that it would've been nice, but it's not gonna happen.
Closing loops is really important, and I agree with the "if it's gonna take more than a paragraph, pick up the phone" philosophy. It eliminates misunderstandings, and a quick phone call is a better personal connection than a long, complicated email that can confuse.
I check in with twitter online only, so I can "catch up" with folks, and I don't use IM at all. Someone can always get me by my cell or SMS, or gmail chat, for that matter. IM is simply too distracting for me with my ADHD issues.
My husband jokes I need a 12 step program for volunteers and he's probably right. No is the most powerful word in the english language, and I know I need to be better at deploying it.
The definition of stress for me is when my brain is screaming "NO!" and my mouth somehow says "Sure, no problem." I need to stop that.
Adriana
· 2 years ago
I am not so media involved but I think I “Should” be...But before jumping into the pool is good to known the reaction of the ones that have been swimming for a long Time... Twitter is also the coffee break of my day... I stop there and I can see great ideas flying, sorry I cannot contribute more... BUT the great quote for me was NEED TO SAY NO BETTER...I already got yell at by all the persons close to me…even my boss… that I am not able to do that…
Seth Woodworth
· 2 years ago
I'm really curious about Twitter being the director's commentary of your other media. I've been fascinated about how dvd commentaries could, and have been used for some time. I really need to get into Twitter.
Scott Schablow
· 2 years ago
Wow, talk about timing. I was trying NOT to venture under the RSS waterfall today. There's too much of my own work to do and it will be there tomorrow. But then I somehow (I think via Twitter) landed on this post. I've been dealing with the overload factor and have come to realize that I must compartmentalize my time. I'm checking things less often, scanning Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for the 'good stuff' not idle chatter, and trying not to comment unless I have a unique perspective to offer (probably just violated that one here). By limiting my access I tend to make each moment account for more, instead of lingering and wasting time. Also, now when I add a feed or friend, I try and delete the least useful one on the list.
michelle lamar
· 2 years ago
Dude...how is it that you always seem to WRITE about the very TOPICS that I am thinking about, pondering, obsessing over? How can this be? Vulcan mind meld? Can you read keyboards? It's spooky. You always know and you say it much better than me. Damn you.
Zena
· 2 years ago
As we all struggle with less sleep and more screen time, your thoughts/lessons learned (as so many have already stated) are timely and very valuable.
Your twitter insight - Director's Commentary...how very accurate! You nailed it - that's exactly how I feel about the golden nuggets I get from the likes of Scoble and Rubel. Hyper-brief snacklets that are apropos for the medium.
Using each medium to your specific needs, finding that blend that best suits you...good stuff!
Chris Weige
· 2 years ago
Email is easily my number one stressor. Thanks for addressing the issue, Chris. Looking forward to your thoughts.
@Fleep Great suggestions! Thanks.
Ula
· 2 years ago
About email. I'm sure you heard about this, but maybe didn't pay attention to this video: http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/25/merlins-inb... Be prepared - it's 1h long, but it is worth (don't read slides instead - not much help without speaker - intentionaly)
All Comments
I find myself, randomly twittering, randomly posting in forums, just consuming loads of time that I really don't have.
I too juggle a day job, two young children, etc. And while they're all supportive of my interests and passions, I know that something must "give."
The solution for me is to come up with a "business plan" for my life, you know? I won't be so structured with respect to the children and my relationship, but I have to figure out, weed out, water and cultivate.
Always an inspiration Mr. Chris Brogan!
In my observance, you've been true to what you've written, being selective...but then again, I've only been following you for a few months.
On my way to digg, del.icio.us, Dot, Ma.rker, and Techno.
I've also begun to experiment with multiple profiles for multiple purposes and audiences. While at first that might seem contrary to good time management (more = less??), again, categorizing contacts and profiles by area of interest or social network is helping me stay focused on each specific area at a time. I found that beyond the time-suck problem, the other problem that emerged from the social media overload was a sense of feeling _constantly scattered_. Work email, note from friend, project update, Facebook zombie bite, work phone call, twitter, jump to website, back to work email. Brain can't cope!
Segmenting out "this is my work email address, this is my personal email address, this is my project email address" has helped me tremendously. They can all feed into a central email client, and with filters, I can focus on each area with greater mental concentration than when everyone was emailing the same account. This applies not just for email, but also for Twitter, Second Life, etc.
Look forward to reading others' suggestions!
To take Second Life as an example, the interface does not give me the tools to tell everyone "Hey, I'm giving a presentation to 100 people right now, please don't IM me!" I had to create an account with no friends so I could be sure nothing inappropriate would pop up on the screen during work. Then I discovered it was awfully nice to do content creation on that account because I could get my work done without being bombarded by IMs and group notices and etc, I got the work done faster. More accounts = less time
I expect this method will have diminishing returns at a certain point, particularly if there aren't centralizing applications to tie multiple "personalities" together for easier management, but organizing all the social media I am using is helping me cope with both the time and concentration issues that arise from too much info overload.
I too wonder how the email automation works.
Additionally my big confusion has been CRM software in addition.
I'm still very behind the ball (I have 3 full sites to get up and moving, and so far,,, kind of one).
Also, I've done the facebook/twitter/pownce thing, but really haven't felt it does much for me (I'd rather spend my time kayaking my google reader river of news).
Anyway, thanks and keep up the great blogging (I'm sure I'm way behind in reading all you've been writing).
I look forward to hearing more about email automation (also maybe I'll get off my butt and re-read the 4 hour work week again too)
cheers!
-Fred Schechter H.B.
Id agree with cutting back on email barrages and too much email. I have taken time with all my clients to explain to them that I dont reply to emails I have received if they dont need a reply.
I also explain that I dont receive work via email. Orders for hardware and software certainly but not lists or job notes. Those belong on Phone calls and the tools I provide them to register work.
Getting Things Done has given me a few great tools I have implemented and some others I know I should but just cant implement without failing the loops.
In fact I will save time here by not fully commenting.
Nik
So, about the bacn filters... spell it out for me with some examples. I'm too tired to figure all of this out for myself tonight. It's my month on jury duty here in the midwest.
And your Twitters may be incessant? But again, for the most part I see them as being focused and helpful - getting out the information and promotion of whatever. So now I need to learn to utilize it for promotion of our little business around here.
While planning a conference, as I am learning from Podcamp Philly, pulling all the threads together makes this easily an overwhelming proposition.
Sometimes you just have to go for the value add and let some other stuff lay for a bit, or simply decide that it would've been nice, but it's not gonna happen.
Closing loops is really important, and I agree with the "if it's gonna take more than a paragraph, pick up the phone" philosophy. It eliminates misunderstandings, and a quick phone call is a better personal connection than a long, complicated email that can confuse.
I check in with twitter online only, so I can "catch up" with folks, and I don't use IM at all. Someone can always get me by my cell or SMS, or gmail chat, for that matter. IM is simply too distracting for me with my ADHD issues.
My husband jokes I need a 12 step program for volunteers and he's probably right. No is the most powerful word in the english language, and I know I need to be better at deploying it.
The definition of stress for me is when my brain is screaming "NO!" and my mouth somehow says "Sure, no problem." I need to stop that.
Twitter is also the coffee break of my day...
I stop there and I can see great ideas flying, sorry I cannot contribute more...
BUT the great quote for me was NEED TO SAY NO BETTER...I already got yell at by all the persons close to me…even my boss… that I am not able to do that…
Your twitter insight - Director's Commentary...how very accurate! You nailed it - that's exactly how I feel about the golden nuggets I get from the likes of Scoble and Rubel. Hyper-brief snacklets that are apropos for the medium.
Using each medium to your specific needs, finding that blend that best suits you...good stuff!
@Fleep Great suggestions! Thanks.
I'm sure you heard about this, but maybe didn't pay attention to this video: http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/25/merlins-inb...
Be prepared - it's 1h long, but it is worth (don't read slides instead - not much help without speaker - intentionaly)