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

ashs@npowernw.orgTwitter: @NPTech_Ash

NPower NorthwestWebsite: www.npowernw.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/npowernwTwitter: @npowernw