Two Simple Tricks

Aug 8, 2007 Print This Post

.:mood:. GTD
.:itunes:. The Better Part by Phil Madeira

Over the last week, I have implemented two easy tricks that have helped me get a lot more done each day. I thought I’d throw them out there for you to chew on.

First, and probably most importantly, I set the auto-check on my email to “Every Hour.” Before, it was set to “Every Five Minutes.”

This has helped a ton because I used to constantly respond to email throughout the day. I found it very hard to remember to turn off my email program, so it was always beeping and bugging me. I get a ton of email that varies from necessary day to day operational stuff for Riverview to doctrinal questions to requests for my time / help with some situation.

Now, these pop up in a big pile each hour or so, and that is pretty much when I need to take a break from my projects anyway. It’s turned out to be a great rhythm for me.

I still need to figure out how to knock out responding to all the longer emails each day…but, I digress.

Secondly, I started using Vitalist, an online GTD software. If you are unaware of GTD, check out this book:

“Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” (David Allen)

It’s a great system of keeping only the next few things you have to do in front of you at any time. I use Vitalist to capture ideas throughout the day on my iPhone. Then, once a day I can prioritize them and forget about them. The software then keeps track of what I need to do next. Very very cool. It also integrates with iCal, so I know which days have pressing deadlines on them.

OK…back to work.

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Growing up in the Lansing area, I wanted nothing more than to get out. My exit strategy included a complex mixture of schemes for an urban church plant, iProducts, and an elaborate Bollywood car chase scene with zombies and catchy techno music.

As a 40 year old man, I find myself entrenched in the Lansing area at a church I love (Riverview), with 4 kids I love more (a high schooler, a junior higher, a middle schooler, and an elementary schooler), and a wife I love the most (Grace).

Instead of planting one church, I dream of helping hundreds get started without ever leaving my home base. I still love my iProducts and use them as tools to help lead and teach the thousands who attend Riverview. And when no one is looking, I blare the techno music and send my unimpressive resume to casting agents for Bollywood zombie films.

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