The Inbox Is Out
by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 01/04/10 at 12:14 am
Day 4
For the first time in…well, I can’t remember how long, but “years” would be a safe guess…there is only one message in my Inbox, and that’s to remind me of something I want to do today.
People who wrote me nearly a year ago might have been surprised to hear from me this week as I unearthed their messages. I was determined to start my sabbatical with a clean electronic desk. And now I have this lovely, empty space where thousands of guilt-producing email messages have been staring me in the face.
What’s my secret? Simple:. I gave up trying to file things in appropriately specific folders. It took too much time, and Google Desktop can find anything anywhere anyway. I’m down to three: Action, Archive, Delete.
If you are creating your own mini-sabbatical, that’s my tip of the day for clearing space and feeling a sense of stepping back from your usual routine. All of your “incoming” can be sorted simply into things you’re going to do (Action), things you’re done with for now (Archive), and things you’re done with forever (Delete). That works for paper as well as email. One of my coaching clients said this simple sorting system was better than a diet: the client dropped a ton of guilt.
I’m going to go now and look at my nearly naked Inbox. It’s obscenely gorgeous.
9 Comments
Cyn Liggett
Jan 4th, 2010
Wow. I've taken the classes and read the books, bought the organizers and a million other things – and yet, this truly dropped in my bucket, just as I was looking at what to do with 2009 client mail. Client name, action, delete, archive. Simple. Sweet. Ruth Ann Christopher Columbus Harnisch, thank you.
Nancy Glassing Pitz
Jan 4th, 2010
I am enjoying following you on your journey.
Michael Markiewicz
Jan 4th, 2010
you are a true source of obscenely gorgeous inspiration.
Parker Anderson
Jan 4th, 2010
Love the simplicity and creativity of it all….as usual you and the idea are winners.
Mike James
Jan 4th, 2010
I would submit that you are not on a sabbatical. One does not blog when one is on a sabbatical.
You are on a sablogical.
Kerryn Griffiths
Jan 4th, 2010
Lovin’ this blog!
I don’t read blogs – I prefer to use the time to enjoy doing nothing personally… but this one has me hooked!!!!!
Ruth Ann Harnisch
Jan 4th, 2010
I might add another “b” and use it as a category. The Sabblogical. How did you think it should be pronounced? With the hard “g” of “log,” or the soft “g” of “logical”?
Sandra De Freitas
Jan 4th, 2010
Ruth Ann, I have enjoyed your sabbatical updates thus far. It’s exciting to see you do this and inspiring. I don’t think I will take a sabbatical anytime soon however I love the idea of take a sabbatical for 1 minute, that’s doable! I also love a naked inbox! ROARRRRRRRRRR!
Looking forward to reading more of your blog posts.
Sandra
Dr. Lynn K. Jones
Jan 28th, 2010
Thanks for your sharing your experiences as you sablogical (love that Mike!) I know you have made a commitment to blog every day, and like anything else, that kind of commitment is not always easy, but I have to say it is creating loyal followers, and I am one of them. I look forward to reading every day what you have blogged!
All the best,
Lynn
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