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donnap99
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« on: January 29, 2001, 05:49:30 pm » |
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How do you organize your pending/waiting for a response items so you don't lose track? It seems that if I kept a list I'd be spending so much time doing THAT...
Thanks for the input!
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craftygirl
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« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2001, 06:05:49 pm » |
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I have all of mine under my task list in Outlook. (Contact management for the terminally neurotic ) Each task is marked with its percentage completion, due dates, reminders, etc. . . . then I don't worry with it until I get an update from someone or a reminder pops up.
I'm pretty good at setting reminders ahead of time enough that I don't end up frantically running around on Friday afternoon. But without Outlook or some other time management system I'd be bound and gagged to the binder with the list in it.
My two cents
~cg
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northcarolina
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« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2001, 06:09:34 pm » |
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A lot of the posters here recommend using the Outlook Task feature - and while it looks great - if you're like me and want paper here's what I do. I have 2 files - one labeled Pending and one labeled Filing. Any pieces of paper that need work, or follow-up go into my pending file and anything that needs filing goes into the filing file, obviously. The key here is to go thru the Pending file religiously. As for phone calls, etc. that need to be made I keep a list in my notebook where I also jot down all those, "Oh by the way, do such-n-such"
Hope this helps.
nc
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Katie G
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« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2001, 10:01:31 am » |
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I've tried to pare down my "system" to the least possible level of complexity. I use a desk blotter calendar and a running "to do" list in a steno book. The calendar helps me look ahead, and the list (which contains everything I need to do, even the routine tasks) helps me know when things got done and what's still outstanding. I've done it this way for a few years now and, although it takes discipline, it doesn't take much time to maintain, and so far, it hasn't let me down.
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donnap99
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« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2001, 10:26:46 am » |
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It's those "By the way, when you have a chance..." things that I keep forgetting!
I've tried a few times to get into the habit of using Outlook for tasks (I love it for everything else), but for some reason my computer keeps corrupting my tasks file and then I have to re-enter (from my printed list) and get frustrated, and our computer guys respond, but they can't figure out what is in my computer that keeps doing this.
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queeperqueen
Newbie
Posts: 47
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« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2001, 05:20:02 pm » |
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I, too, use Outlook for my "to do" list.
But for those paper items that come in that need a follow-up on a specific date, I use a "desk file/sorter" that is divided into 31 sections, one for each day of the month. (I've heard this called a suspense file or a "tickler" file.) I put paper copies of all kinds of things in it (under the date that I would need it). Some examples are:
A copy of a letter that requires a response is filed under the date the response is due so that I can follow-up with the director that should have responded to it.
Information about meetings or appointments. Invitations to social functions are put on my boss' calendar, and the actual invitation is filed in the appropriate date in the folder. If the spouse is invited, then the original invitation goes home to the spouse and a copy of the invite is filed in the suspense folder.
Sometimes, whole folders are filed under a particular follow-up date. For example, my boss was scheduled to leave today for a trip. The working trip folder was filed under today's date so anyone in my office needing information about the trip had access to it. (His actual trip book, of course, won't fit in the folder.)
Each morning, I pull all the stuff that is filed under that date. Not only does it work for me, but anyone here will be able to figure out what needs to be followed up on that day.
Hope this info helps.
QueeperQueen...(trying to get caught up reading all the posts)
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sungoddesslv
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« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2001, 08:16:24 pm » |
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DonnaP,
I also used a system like QQ suggested.
I remember the system the assistant to the Chief Admin Officer for the city used. She kept a list and maintained it daily. What came in that needed a response and what went out needing a response. It was a rather small city so there were only 18 dept heads, but she was able to keep track of everything using this system (of course, this was before all the fancy calendar, tasks, notes , etc., that we have now). As the item was completed she would line through it (or highlight). She had something to go back to if there was ever a question about the status.
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