3 Lessons 💡

1) Process Automation

1. Once you've identified a process that seems like a good candidate for automation, suggest the following steps:
   1. Partitioning
      1. Split the process into a series of well-defined phases that follow one after the other. For each phase, clearly specify what work must be accomplished and who is responsible
   2. Signaling
      1. Put in place a signaling or notification system that tracks the current phase of each output being generated by the process, allowing those involved to know when it's their turn to take over the work
   3. Channeling
      1. Institute clear channels for delivering the relevant resources and information from one phase to the next (such as files in shared directories)

2) Protocol Principle

1. Designing rules that optimize when and how coordination occurs in the workplace is a pain in the short term but can result in significant more productive operation in the long run.

3) Specialization Principle

1. In the knowledge sector, working on fewer things, but doing each thing with more quality and accountability can be the foundation for significantly more productivity

3 Actions ✅

1. Do and track your work on shared locations
   1. Examples include Project Management software, or task boards where you can have a separate board for each major role in your professional life
   2. Information about your work can be arranged into columns on a board. Recommends that you put time on your calendar each weke to review and update all your boards
   3. Benefit: When it comes time to work on the task, everything needed is all in one place
2. Work on no more than three tasks at one time
   1. You definitely will have more than three tasks to complete for your various projects, but Cal recommends keeping a backlog of items to work on after you complete one of your main tasks
   2. This can allow for more progress on your main tasks and you might defer meetings about tasks that aren't on your main tasks until you're actively working on them
3. Processes to Automate
   1. Cal recommends automating processes that occur more than thirty times each year
   2. Even if you don't automate a process, you can use tools (like many email software) to schedule reminder emails to be sent in advance

Helpful Links:

• World without Email (ThriftBooks or BetterWorldBooks)
• Books with Gavin Episode on "Slow Productivity"
• Alex and Books Website'

Book Mentioned: "A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of communication overload" by Cal Newport