One of the tenets of GTD is to process/clarify all that is captured. To think before you can act. To clarify the ‘whys’. To decide if it is Actionable? Reference? or Trash? Below are a few tips on how to process your inbox:
Surviving as an Introvert
At work:
My manager: “You need to connect to people more, talk to people more”
I: “Why?”
Manager: “What do you mean why? How will people know what you are working on if you don’t talk to all?”
I: “aren’t you supposed to do that?”
Manager: “I will, but unless people see you as outgoing and gregarious, they’ll consider you an under performer, and why are you so shy about talking to people?’’
I:”no, I’m not shy. I’m just an introvert‘.
Manager: ’‘Aren’t they the same?’’
I: ‘‘No, they are not the same. Shyness is fear of social judgement whereas introverts shun social situations because they simply want to be alone, people simply drain our energy’’.
Manager: ‘‘Looks the same to me’’
I gave up.
Out of work: Hey man, what’s your weekend plan, asked my colleague. I replied, ‘I’m looking forward to curling up on the bed and finish the book I started’. He replied, ‘really? get a life dude’.
Distracted
Romancing the rains
Cool breeze, drizzles to downpours, flooded roads, paper boats, cloudy skies, chilly mornings aah! Rainy season is back. I loved rainy season from the time I was a kid, it could mean a school holiday, and I loved that possibility so much. I fondly remember a day when I went to school to find it closed due to heavy rains. Drenched, but with my rain coat on, and 2 rupees in hand, I walked-in to ‘Cash & Carry’ a greeting card & fancy gifts store. Surviving the AC in the shop in my wet clothes, I bought a lovely bookmark which is still in one of my books. I’ve never been a fan of summer. It meant scorching heat & power cuts. There was no romance in the hot afternoon air – only sunstroke. But, rain was full of romance – a long drive, a hot mug of coffee were enough to put a smile even on a hardcore pessimist.
Coffee day
Every saturday evening I take my bike, travel 18 kilometers in traffic and dust to come to City Centre mall. I park my vehicle in the underground parking, say hi to the security who smile at me, take the over crowded lift to the second floor and walk into ‘Coffee day’. Over the last 4 years this has been my weekly routine. The are quite a number of coffee shops on my way but, this place holds a special place in my heart. This is the one coffee shop in Hyderabad which exists as a part of a bookstore (Crossword). Book shops have long been my second home, I love to walk in, pick some books from the racks, walk into the coffee shop order a coffee and sit down to enjoy a book.