In every episode of the Weightless Productivity Podcast, we mention surgical responsiveness. So, what is it? In this episode we'll dive further into what it means to be surgically responsive. It's much different from being immediately responsive, and has a lot more to do with intentionality and reliability. We'll talk about being immediately responsive to some email messages, but reliably responsive for all email email messages that merit a response.

ABOUT THE WEIGHTLESS PRODUCTIVITY PODCAST

We're here to help you solve the email problem once and for all, to get to "inbox zero" at least once a day, and to live in digital serenity while becoming surgically responsive! As we build up more content, we build a framework that synthesizes the best of this content and efficiently presents it in a way that you can implement all at once. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about all new posts at www.weightlessproductivity.com. Thanks so much for listening!

AI VOICES, HUMAN IDEAS

Yep, these are AI voices! Recordings were done using AI technology to provide a Podcast experience, but all of the topics here are based on original content written by a Fortune 500 executive with experience researching and applying these strategies for over 20 years across multiple industries, at multiple organizations. Everything conveyed here is time-tested in the real world, and fortified with research.

CITED SOURCES

Botelho, E. L., Powell, K. R., Wong, S., & Kim, D. (2018). The CEO next door: The 4 behaviors that transform ordinary people into world-class leaders. Currency.

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

All content on Weightless Productivity, including but not limited to blog posts, podcast episodes, and associated materials, is the exclusive property of WeightlessProductivity.com. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission. All rights are reserved.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial legal, medical, or professional advice. By listening, you agree to our terms & disclaimers, available at weightlessproductivity.com/terms

This podcast discusses strategies and concepts from various productivity experts, books, and research. Any ideas referenced from external sources are attributed to their respective authors. We do not claim ownership of all ideas presented. If an attribution was unintentionally omitted, please contact us at weightlessproductivity@gmail.com

In previous episodes we've discussed processing email into an Archive folder. When the time comes to do that processing, we want to move through it at a rapid pace, quickly scanning and clearing anything from the inbox that doesn't require a response, or the creation of an action item. When we have items that we've read and want to keep, but that don't need action or a response, a rapid way to move those is with Outlook Quick Steps. This episode will teach you about how to use and customize Quick Steps, so you never need to touch the mouse or drag and drop an email. With the click of a shortcut key sequence, the email in front of you will be instantly processed from your inbox or chatter box into the Archive folder. Enjoy this technique, and add it to your workflow to take another step toward surgical responsiveness and digital serenity!

ABOUT THE WEIGHTLESS PRODUCTIVITY PODCAST

We're here to help you solve the email problem once and for all, to get to "inbox zero" at least once a day, and to live in digital serenity while becoming surgically responsive! As we build up more content, we build a framework that synthesizes the best of this content and efficiently presents it in a way that you can implement all at once. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about all new posts at www.weightlessproductivity.com. Thanks so much for listening!

AI VOICES, HUMAN IDEAS

Yep, these are AI voices! Recordings were done using AI technology to provide a Podcast experience, but all of the topics here are based on original content written by a Fortune 500 executive with experience researching and applying these strategies for over 20 years across multiple industries, at multiple organizations. Everything conveyed here is time-tested in the real world, and fortified with research.

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

All content on Weightless Productivity, including but not limited to blog posts, podcast episodes, and associated materials, is the exclusive property of WeightlessProductivity.com. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission. All rights are reserved.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial legal, medical, or professional advice. By listening, you agree to our terms & disclaimers, available at weightlessproductivity.com/terms

This podcast discusses strategies and concepts from various productivity experts, books, and research. Any ideas referenced from external sources are attributed to their respective authors. We do not claim ownership of all ideas presented. If an attribution was unintentionally omitted, please contact us at weightlessproductivity@gmail.com

Getting to Inbox Zero once a day can be a fantastic goal in achieving digital serenity, because it ensures that we get through even the most difficult emails that tend to sit at the bottom of the inbox, causing procrastination. It can also lead to mismanaging priorities, allowing others to dictate urgencies, and creating unnecessary back-and-forth email chains. Enjoy this episode on the importance of getting to Inbox Zero once a day, but not striving to stay there all day!

ABOUT THE WEIGHTLESS PRODUCTIVITY PODCAST

We're here to help you solve the email problem once and for all, to get to "inbox zero" at least once a day, and to live in digital serenity while becoming surgically responsive! As we build up more content, we build a framework that synthesizes the best of this content and efficiently presents it in a way that you can implement all at once. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about all new posts at www.weightlessproductivity.com. Thanks so much for listening!

AI VOICES, HUMAN IDEAS

Yep, these are AI voices! Recordings were done using AI technology to provide a Podcast experience, but all of the topics here are based on original content written by a Fortune 500 executive with experience researching and applying these strategies for over 20 years across multiple industries, at multiple organizations. Everything conveyed here is time-tested in the real world, and fortified with research.

CITED AND ADDITIONAL SOURCES

Bernal, N. (2020, January 5). Everything you thought you knew about Inbox Zero is wrong. WIRED UK.

Cohen, D. (2020, September 22). How to communicate in the work-from-home era, according to the guy who invented Inbox Zero. GQ.

Eyal, N. (2019). Indistractable: How to control your attention and choose your life. BenBella Books.

Ferriss, T. (2007). The 4-hour workweek. Crown Publishing.

Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E. (2015). Checking email less frequently reduces stress. Computers in Human Behavior, 43, 220–228.

Mark, G., Gudith, D., & Klocke, U. (2008). The cost of interrupted work: More speed and stress. Proceedings of CHI 2008.

McGowan, M. (2018). The cognitive (insidious) effect of email.

McIntire, C. (2023). Inbox Zero. BYU Marriott Magazine.

Newport, C. (2021). A world without email: Reimagining work in an age of communication overload. Portfolio.

Psychology Today. (2015). You’ve got mail: Checking your email often is bad for your health.

Sheldon, R. (2022). What is Inbox Zero? TechTarget.

Slack. (2019). Inbox Zero and other productivity myths.

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

All content on Weightless Productivity, including but not limited to blog posts, podcast episodes, and associated materials, is the exclusive property of WeightlessProductivity.com. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission. All rights are reserved.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial legal, medical, or professional advice. By listening, you agree to our terms & disclaimers, available at weightlessproductivity.com/terms

This podcast discusses strategies and concepts from various productivity experts, books, and research. Any ideas referenced from external sources are attributed to their respective authors. We do not claim ownership of all ideas presented. If an attribution was unintentionally omitted, please contact us at weightlessproductivity@gmail.com

So many productivity resources assume that we need to set aside time to "respond" to our email, but words matter! Even replacing that word "respond" in our minds with "process" can drastically change the way we go about sitting down to extract action items and file our email in ways that reduces clutter, keeps us at inbox zero, aligns our actions with our priorities, and keeps us from getting too many responses. Enjoy this episode about replacing "respond" with "process" and responding with precision and intention.

ABOUT THE WEIGHTLESS PRODUCTIVITY PODCAST

We're here to help you solve the email problem once and for all, to get to "inbox zero" at least once a day, and to live in digital serenity while becoming surgically responsive! Each of these podcast episodes presents just a small piece of an overarching solution. For now, we're getting as much content out in the world as we can, so our listeners can benefit from implementing this system piece by piece. As we build up more content, we build a framework that synthesizes the best of this content and efficiently presents it in a way that you can implement all at once. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about all new posts at www.weightlessproductivity.com. Thanks so much for listening!

AI VOICES, HUMAN IDEAS

Yep, these are AI voices! Recordings were done using AI technology to provide a Podcast experience, but all of the topics here are based on original content written by a Fortune 500 executive with experience researching and applying these strategies for over 20 years across multiple industries, at multiple organizations. Everything conveyed here is time-tested in the real world, and fortified with research.

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

All content on Weightless Productivity, including but not limited to blog posts, podcast episodes, and associated materials, is the exclusive property of WeightlessProductivity.com. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission. All rights are reserved.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The content provided on Weightless Productivity, whether in written, audio, or any other format, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice. WeightlessProductivity.com makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. By accessing this content, you agree that WeightlessProductivity.com will not be held liable for any damages, losses, or liabilities arising from your use of or reliance on the information provided. Use of this content is entirely at your own risk.

NO GUARANTEES

Results or outcomes discussed in Weightless Productivity are not guaranteed and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples provided are illustrative and not promises of actual performance or success.

THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND REFERENCES

This site and podcast may contain links to third-party websites or references to external sources. WeightlessProductivity.com is not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party websites and does not endorse or assume liability for any content found therein.

UPDATES AND CHANGES

WeightlessProductivity.com reserves the right to update, modify, or remove content without prior notice. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer periodically for changes.

It's rare that we'll give you a pass to create any folders other than the Archive and Chatter Box, because we know that it automatically creates more sorting time, and reduces efficiency. In this case, creating a Follow Up folder for those non-critical follow-ups that may need some attention from time to time, but that are not bound by strict deadlines, can help you to empty your inbox more quickly while staying on top of things. Try out the BCC / Follow-Up strategy here and see how it works in your system.

ABOUT THE WEIGHTLESS PRODUCTIVITY PODCAST

We're here to help you solve the email problem once and for all, to get to "inbox zero" at least once a day, and to live in digital serenity while becoming surgically responsive! Each of these podcast episodes presents just a small piece of an overarching solution. For now, we're getting as much content out in the world as we can, so our listeners can benefit from implementing this system piece by piece. As we build up more content, we build a framework that synthesizes the best of this content and efficiently presents it in a way that you can implement all at once. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about all new posts at www.weightlessproductivity.com. Thanks so much for listening!

AI VOICES, HUMAN IDEAS

Yep, these are AI voices! Recordings were done using AI technology to provide a Podcast experience, but all of the topics here are based on original content written by a Fortune 500 executive with experience researching and applying these strategies for over 20 years across multiple industries, at multiple organizations. Everything conveyed here is time-tested in the real world, and fortified with research.

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

All content on Weightless Productivity, including but not limited to blog posts, podcast episodes, and associated materials, is the exclusive property of WeightlessProductivity.com. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission. All rights are reserved.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The content provided on Weightless Productivity, whether in written, audio, or any other format, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice. WeightlessProductivity.com makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. By accessing this content, you agree that WeightlessProductivity.com will not be held liable for any damages, losses, or liabilities arising from your use of or reliance on the information provided. Use of this content is entirely at your own risk.

NO GUARANTEES

Results or outcomes discussed in Weightless Productivity are not guaranteed and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples provided are illustrative and not promises of actual performance or success.

THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND REFERENCES

This site and podcast may contain links to third-party websites or references to external sources. WeightlessProductivity.com is not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party websites and does not endorse or assume liability for any content found therein.

UPDATES AND CHANGES

WeightlessProductivity.com reserves the right to update, modify, or remove content without prior notice. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer periodically for changes.

Every time we read an email, we're drawn back into that "vortex" of the inbox. It's not just about the time it takes to read one email, it's the fact that when we do it, we tend to read more than one. Before we know it, we've been distracted from our most important priorities again, and we're letting anyone with our email address control our focus. For that reason, it's essential that we eliminate any email that isn't truly important before it even reaches our eyes. A simple way to do this is to unsubscribe from everything that isn't important to us. Whether it's a company you bought a denim jacket from in 2016 or a report server that delivers information you'll never need, unsubscribing or creating a "delete rule" to get rid of it before you see it can save you from hundreds of distractions per week.

ABOUT THE WEIGHTLESS PRODUCTIVITY PODCAST

We're here to help you solve the email problem once and for all, to get to "inbox zero" at least once a day, and to live in digital serenity while becoming surgically responsive! Each of these podcast episodes presents just a small piece of an overarching solution. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about all new posts at www.weightlessproductivity.com. Thanks so much for listening!

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: AI VOICES, HUMAN IDEAS

Yep, these are AI voices! Recordings were done using AI technology to provide a Podcast experience, but all of the topics here are based on original content written by a Fortune 500 executive with experience researching and applying these strategies, tactics, and tools for over 20 years across multiple industries, in multiple roles, at multiple organizations. Everything conveyed here is time-tested in the real world, and fortified with research.

Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer

All content on Weightless Productivity, including but not limited to blog posts, podcast episodes, and associated materials, is the exclusive property of WeightlessProductivity.com. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission. All rights are reserved.

Liability Disclaimer

The content provided on Weightless Productivity, whether in written, audio, or any other format, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice. WeightlessProductivity.com makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided.

By accessing this content, you agree that WeightlessProductivity.com will not be held liable for any damages, losses, or liabilities arising from your use of or reliance on the information provided. Use of this content is entirely at your own risk.

No Guarantees

Results or outcomes discussed in Weightless Productivity are not guaranteed and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples provided are illustrative and not promises of actual performance or success.

Third-Party Links and References

This site and podcast may contain links to third-party websites or references to external sources. WeightlessProductivity.com is not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party websites and does not endorse or assume liability for any content found therein.

Updates and Changes

WeightlessProductivity.com reserves the right to update, modify, or remove content without prior notice. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer periodically for changes.