Dull tip I use
When you're in the office, try to touch each piece of paper a minimum of times. If it's not important, throw it away immediately. If it's a task, add it to your to-do list and file/throw the original away. If it's something short and easy to complete, do it now, and file/throw the original away.

Same for e-mail: don't use your e-mail as a to-do list. Transfer the info to your to-do list and then you need never open the e-mail again.

Told you it was dull.
( giant_squid, Fri 21 May 2010, 17:28, 4 replies)

Are you in a timewarp? ;-)
Paper is so last century.
As for not using email -- I can see the merits but I find flagging email works pretty well, so I've not actually used tasks erm...
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Fri 21 May 2010, 17:40, closed)

Yes, I read and mark as unread all the emails I need to address
Your advice changes my life's paradigm, and is therefore incorrect.
( BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Fri 21 May 2010, 18:23, closed)

I know you.
Your names is Anthea and you work for Gary Strang.
(Billy The Fish wants to gargle with Lucy Pinder's bath water, Sun 23 May 2010, 14:39, closed)

It seems to me that the general thrust of your advice is aimed at fitting in more work into your day,
which is the exact opposite of what I set out to accomplish. I've found that promotions in the organisations I have worked for are often based more on what people are seen to be accomplishing, rather than what they are actually accomplishing. Never ever allow your to-do list to become empty, because that means people will give you more things to do. Much better to let work pile up so you always look busy. I'm in the office 9-5, and I'm paid 9-5, regardless of what I get done.
(Vlad the Inhaler forgot his password, Sun 23 May 2010, 18:21, closed)