Comments on: The Fundamental Theorem of Email http://emergentfool.com/2007/10/06/the-fundamental-theorem-of-email/ ...explorations in complex adaptive systems... Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:50:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: rafefurst http://emergentfool.com/2007/10/06/the-fundamental-theorem-of-email/#comment-1386 rafefurst Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:35:16 +0000 http://rafefurst.wordpress.com/2007/10/06/the-fundamental-theorem-of-email/#comment-1386 I have tried the trick of only getting new email every, say hour or so. And I suppose I could change that delay to once a day/week/month, whatever. But then I'd need to whitelist some people, and it becomes a game of whom to whitelist, and other things to clutter the mind with. I've also tried the GTD practice of having folders to triage the processing itself (as opposed to the archiving which is traditionally how folders are used). But it doesn't seem to work for me and I get more anxious about whether I'm overlooking something important since it's hidden in a folder, or I become undisciplined and the system becomes worthless. I have a feeling I'm not alone in this regard. Thus, my approach is to change how I feel about the situation as opposed to change the situation to suit how I think I want to feel. The former may ultimately be easier to accomplish and far less elusive. I have tried the trick of only getting new email every, say hour or so. And I suppose I could change that delay to once a day/week/month, whatever. But then I’d need to whitelist some people, and it becomes a game of whom to whitelist, and other things to clutter the mind with. I’ve also tried the GTD practice of having folders to triage the processing itself (as opposed to the archiving which is traditionally how folders are used). But it doesn’t seem to work for me and I get more anxious about whether I’m overlooking something important since it’s hidden in a folder, or I become undisciplined and the system becomes worthless.

I have a feeling I’m not alone in this regard. Thus, my approach is to change how I feel about the situation as opposed to change the situation to suit how I think I want to feel. The former may ultimately be easier to accomplish and far less elusive.

]]> By: Paul P http://emergentfool.com/2007/10/06/the-fundamental-theorem-of-email/#comment-1385 Paul P Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:56:33 +0000 http://rafefurst.wordpress.com/2007/10/06/the-fundamental-theorem-of-email/#comment-1385 Have you tried delaying your incoming email? If there are people who must have instant access to you I guess you can whitelist them on through. I found that simply waiting a week before I answer any given email (except on the monthly-or-so clean it all out days) works wonders to solve both the volume problem and the psychological problem. Have you tried delaying your incoming email? If there are people who must have instant access to you I guess you can whitelist them on through. I found that simply waiting a week before I answer any given email (except on the monthly-or-so clean it all out days) works wonders to solve both the volume problem and the psychological problem.

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