Many productivity systems such as Getting Things Done and MPS Take Back Your Life for Outlook have a two minute rule which basically says “Do the email now if it is going to take less than two minutes”.
Personally I have found it difficult to stick to the two minute rule. I look at an email… have some immediate thoughts on it and often start action on it even though I know it will take more than two minutes.
Why? FEAR OF WASTED TIME. I don’t want to lose my initial ideas or have to rethink them. I could make notes in Word or my physical paper notebook but then I have to remember where to look them up later.
Since I have started using Email Notes for Outlook, I have found it easier to stick to the two minute rule. Here’s what I do.
As I am reading the email, I simply click on the Add Note button that Email Notes added to Outlook. A notes screen pops up to which I add my thoughts.
I can then move on to the next email safely aware that my notes will be easy to retrieve and use when I give my full attention to the email later.
Do you have your own story about how you use Email Notes. Please let us know by emailing us at support@blog.standss.com.
I too like Email Notes for Outlook, but the tiny type makes it hard.
I e-mailed them, and when they get it so that I can enlarge the type, I’m on the bus as well!
Regards,
Chuck Billow