Avoiding Communication Overload
Road Map
• Priority & Process
• Getting Specific
• Q&A
Priority & Process
Set Goals
Be clear about what you intend to do
Use technology that helps
Use technology that not only finds information but also organizes/manages it
• Google Alerts
• RSS
• Social Media Dashboards
Establish Priorities
• Always have too much to do
• Identify timeliness
• Formalization = Results
Create Routines
Routines are key to being efficient
Image | paulabecker.com
Saying No
No means No
• Turns things off
• Go old school with pencil & paper
• Close the door to your office
Intentional “Distractions”
• Energized in the right direction
• Things that “block out”
• Make it clear to others
Getting Specific
Email | Dedicated Times
Set specific times to go into your email
Email | Use Rules/Filters
• Outlook Rules
• Gmail Priority Inbox
• Set to Offline mode
Email | Auto-Response
Let folks know not to expect a response for a bit
Social Media | Scheduling Posts
Create when you have time…
…Goes out at the right time
Social Media | Use Dashboards
Million Places to Click (before you even get to your page)
Social Media | Use Dashboards
Just the conversation
Social Media | Custom Alerts
Only certain types of tweets pop up
RSS | Real Simple Syndication
The websites alert you of changes
RSS | Focus on good sources
• Only add consistent sources
• Periodically clean out
• Periodically purge
RSS | Organize to Prioritize
Limited Time = Cruise only top 3
Mobile
• Turn off notifications
• Use appropriately
• Simply put it away
Chat/IM
• Set Status
• Use Appropriately
• Set boundaries (and use them)
People
• Calendar
• Set limits
• Close the door
Take Aways
• Know the source of the distractions
• Priorities dictate process
• Use technology wisely
• Don’t be afraid to disconnect
Thank You
Ash ShepherdProject Strategist
[email protected]: @NPTech_Ash
NPower NorthwestWebsite: www.npowernw.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/npowernwTwitter: @npowernw