I’ve been feeling a bit beseiged and fragmented by excessive simultaneous communications recently. It makes me feel a bit wired – just as I’ve started one thought, I get interrupted by another channel of communication. So I’ve decided to do something about it:
My first step was enumerating all channels through which I communicate. In no particular order:
- Blog
- RSS
- SMS
- Cellphone
- EMail JRC
- Email Google
- IRC
- MSN
- Land line work
- Land line home
- Face to face
- Shouting through my office wall
- Web
- Snail Mail
- Internal Mail
- Newspaper
- TV
- Google mail notifier
- Office nuclear emergency system.
- Calendar reminders.
- Mp3/podcast
Stuff I already do:
-Cellphone on vibrate only – no compulsion to answer
-Printed communication kept to a minimum.
-Ear plugs
-Don’t own a TV unless it’s something really unusual like the tsunami or the winter olympics.
-Keep a to do list and stick to it, ignoring push communications except in between items.
This is my list of ideas of what to do about it so.
1. Stick more doggedly to my todo list
2. Cut down the channels of communications
3. Be realistic about how many hours of productive work I can do in a day – allow for admin tasks.
4. Check email once an hour or so as a rule.
5. Get rid of unnecessary push systems such as (or switch them on sparingly):
Mail notifier,
RSS browser,
IRC,
MSN
Any other ideas, anyone?