This document provides tips for avoiding communication overload. It recommends setting goals and priorities to focus on the most important tasks. Routines are important for efficiency. It is important to say no to unnecessary communications and use technology strategically, such as setting email rules and auto-responses. Social media use should be scheduled and monitored through dashboards. RSS feeds and chats/IMs should also be customized and limited based on priorities. The key is knowing what is distracting and using communication tools wisely while also disconnecting when needed.

1. Avoiding Communication
Overload

2. Road Map
• Priority & Process
• Getting Specific
• Q&A

4. Set Goals
Be clear about what you intend to do

5. Use technology that helps
Use technology that not only finds information
but also organizes/manages it
• Google Alerts
• RSS
• Social Media Dashboards

6. Establish Priorities
• Always have too much to do
• Identify timeliness
•  Formalization =  Results

7. Create Routines
Routines are key to being efficient
Image | paulabecker.com

8. Saying No
No means No
• Turns things off
• Go old school with pencil & paper
• Close the door to your office

9. Intentional “Distractions”
• Energized in the right direction
• Things that “block out”
• Make it clear to others

11. Email | Dedicated Times
Set specific times to go into your email

12. Email | Use Rules/Filters
• Outlook Rules
• Gmail Priority Inbox
• Set to Offline mode

13. Email | Auto-Response
Let folks know not to expect a response for a bit

14. Social Media | Scheduling Posts
Create when you have time…
…Goes out at the right time

15. Social Media | Use Dashboards
Million Places to Click
(before you even get to your page)

16. Social Media | Use Dashboards
Just the conversation

17. Social Media | Custom Alerts
Only certain types of tweets pop up

18. RSS | Real Simple Syndication
The websites alert
you of changes

19. RSS | Focus on good sources
• Only add consistent sources
• Periodically clean out
• Periodically purge

20. RSS | Organize to Prioritize
Limited Time = Cruise only top 3

21. Mobile
• Turn off notifications
• Use appropriately
• Simply put it away

22. Chat/IM
• Set Status
• Use Appropriately
• Set boundaries (and use them)

23. People
• Calendar
• Set limits
• Close the door

24. Take Aways
• Know the source of the distractions
• Priorities dictate process
• Use technology wisely
• Don’t be afraid to disconnect

25. Thank You
Ash Shepherd
Project Strategist
ashs@npowernw.org
Twitter: @NPTech_Ash
NPower Northwest
Website: www.npowernw.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/npowernw
Twitter: @npowernw