Blogebrity

Closed Until Further Notice

Life is getting very complicated and I'm just not able to keep up. Over the last week and weekend, I've been evaluating the time it takes to run this blog versus two projects I really want to work on.

The blog lost.

I'm not ready to delete it, but I am going to postpone posting anything new for quite some time. Thanks for understanding.

Manager Tools

I've been listening to a podcast called Manager Tools. I really appreciate the advice that they give out (for free!) but sometimes it really irritates me too.

For instance, the most recent cast I listened to is from September 2005 (seriously, the cast is so good that I decided to go back to the beginning and start from there) titled "Got Email?"

Four actions are identified as necessary for managing your email.

1. Check email three times a day.
2. Schedule the time on your calendar to check.
3. Don't answer email while someone is standing in front of you.
4. Use filters to automatically sort email.

My company relies heavily on email. Way too heavily. I'm a culprit too, but I've found that if I don't email it, I later don't have "proof" that I did said action. The recommendation is to have face time or utilize voice mail. If I did that, I'd seldom accomplish anything since people are much more likely to check and respond to emails.

As much as I enjoy the podcast, I wonder, as a non-manager, how can I implement some of the ideas that I do like? It is frustrating.

My other problem with face-to-face meetings is the recommendation of some "chit-chat" about family and life outside of work. I used to be in a spot where one person did this, right before unloading his request. It felt more like buttering up -- Look at me, I'm the nice guy that cares about your family! -- instead of building a relationship.

Maybe it was me. Maybe my perception is screwy from my years of emailed messages.

But it is definitely food for thought. And some day, I just might find myself in a position to make some changes.

Five on Friday

Five on Friday

1. Scott Adam's has a new invention I'd love to implement in my house -- Better Light Switches.
2. Is there a graphically representation between the books you read and your SAT/ACT score? Jason Kottke found one.
3. Grammarphobia explains the origin of "bigger than a breadbox."
4. Like free books? Me too. TG for The Great American Book Giveaway.
5. This guy's 1,000,000 truck makes my Ranger look young.

What was the best link you found this week?

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