Discussion Forum > Yesterbox
Definitely going against GTD's 2-minute rule. That rule has sucked up more than enough of my time, since often the 2 minutes grows, or it would have taken less of my time in the long run to wait until more people have responded, or once I let it sit I realize I don't really need to do anything about it. I'd even increase it to a few days.
May 27, 2013 at 18:18 |
Cricket
Cricket
"I'd even increase it to a few days."
Does that mean you'd be one of those people to whom I send an email, wait and track for a response, then chase a few days later, only then to receive a reply? If so, you might feel it is acceptable to manage your own email workload by essentially pushing some of it back onto the other parties. But when the other parties are already diligently managing their own email workloads, your approach leaves a lot to be desired.
Chris
Does that mean you'd be one of those people to whom I send an email, wait and track for a response, then chase a few days later, only then to receive a reply? If so, you might feel it is acceptable to manage your own email workload by essentially pushing some of it back onto the other parties. But when the other parties are already diligently managing their own email workloads, your approach leaves a lot to be desired.
Chris
May 27, 2013 at 19:44 |
Chris
Chris
Chris, I hear your frustration. I'm usually the one chasing.
From the description of Yesterbox:
< If it can wait 48 hours without causing harm, then you are not allowed to respond to any emails that come in today, even if it's a simple one-word reply. >
Most of my email can sit a few days without inconveniencing anyone. Several dozen emails this week were about moving a single meeting. Most people replied within six hours, and the meeting got moved. My vote would not have mattered. That's the way it usually is with that group. Another discussion was rehashing an old event, complete with old emotions, for the third time. After a day, it was clear that there was no new data, no new plans would be affected, and there was no reason for me to participate (and good reasons not to), but I needed to be aware the emotions were rising again. Many were accounting, that got batched. Some were details, and revised details, for my daughter's choir performance. If I give them to her too early, she'll lose them, and she'll get confused over which revision to use. Three internet newsgroups for hobbies, which again don't need my input. One automated reminder to update my online profile. Three long newsletters reporting on other groups' plans. No one expects me to travel half-way across the country for a concert, although I might watch it on YouTube in a few months.
All of those can and should wait.
On the other hand, I quickly dealt with an email asking for clarification, emailed my husband the revised rehearsal times (with a reminder for him check email again early next morning), bought yet another prop for my daughter, confirmed a meeting date, replied to a request for information, and shuffled another bit of schedule.
From the description of Yesterbox:
< If it can wait 48 hours without causing harm, then you are not allowed to respond to any emails that come in today, even if it's a simple one-word reply. >
Most of my email can sit a few days without inconveniencing anyone. Several dozen emails this week were about moving a single meeting. Most people replied within six hours, and the meeting got moved. My vote would not have mattered. That's the way it usually is with that group. Another discussion was rehashing an old event, complete with old emotions, for the third time. After a day, it was clear that there was no new data, no new plans would be affected, and there was no reason for me to participate (and good reasons not to), but I needed to be aware the emotions were rising again. Many were accounting, that got batched. Some were details, and revised details, for my daughter's choir performance. If I give them to her too early, she'll lose them, and she'll get confused over which revision to use. Three internet newsgroups for hobbies, which again don't need my input. One automated reminder to update my online profile. Three long newsletters reporting on other groups' plans. No one expects me to travel half-way across the country for a concert, although I might watch it on YouTube in a few months.
All of those can and should wait.
On the other hand, I quickly dealt with an email asking for clarification, emailed my husband the revised rehearsal times (with a reminder for him check email again early next morning), bought yet another prop for my daughter, confirmed a meeting date, replied to a request for information, and shuffled another bit of schedule.
May 28, 2013 at 17:00 |
Cricket
Cricket
I'm not clear why it says "48 hours" instead of "24 hours" if today's todo list is yesterday's in box.
May 28, 2013 at 18:16 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark:
"I'm not clear why it says "48 hours" instead of "24 hours" if today's todo list is yesterday's in box."
... That didn't make sense to me either.
"I'm not clear why it says "48 hours" instead of "24 hours" if today's todo list is yesterday's in box."
... That didn't make sense to me either.
May 28, 2013 at 23:36 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Maybe 48 hours gives a buffer? Maybe it starts from the time the email was sent (possibly 23:59 before you read it)?
May 29, 2013 at 15:48 |
Cricket
Cricket
Cricket:
Yes, I suppose if you receive it first thing in the morning and then don't action it until last thing the following day it would help to think in terms of 48 hours rather than 24.
Yes, I suppose if you receive it first thing in the morning and then don't action it until last thing the following day it would help to think in terms of 48 hours rather than 24.
May 29, 2013 at 20:10 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
http://yesterbox.com/
Discuss, discuss.