Posted by octopusprime on October 27, 2005, at 5:14:44
In reply to Re: Concentration » Dinah, posted by fairywings on October 23, 2005, at 23:10:22
Dinah, I don't know if you use Outlook at work, but I have found it is a life-saver. (I am using Outlook 2003)
I flag emails for follow-up at a time that I suspect would be convenient. I then promptly forget about the emails until the reminder comes up. Then when the reminder happens, I do something about it.
The task list is pretty good too. I know you said you were having trouble making lists, but this might be easier. As soon as you get off the phone with somebody, open a new task and type 6 words about what you just promised to get done, and set a due date. The reminder goes off at the specified time, do it then.
A program like that is good because:
1. You can schedule tiny tasks for yourself in during times of the day that you are available for work but usually less than productive
2. It reminds you when you get distracted
3. It's ok for you to forget things, the program remembers for youI have skimmed "Getting Things Done" - there is a huge following to this book. Doing a full implementation is too much for me. There was one point I liked in the book - if it takes two minutes or less to do, do it now. A lot of things in work life can be done in two minutes or less and don't take that much sustained concentration. Try to make your tasks smaller and smaller, and make it a challenge to get as much done as possible.
Good luck I know you are having a rough time, sorry I haven't posted much but consider me an invisible friend and Dinah-cheerer
poster:octopusprime
thread:570397
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051021/msgs/572305.html