Randy's TODO list

Telephone

· Keep calls short; stand during call
· Start by announcing goals for the call
· Don't put your feet up
· Have something in view that you're waiting to get to next.

Reading Pile

· Only read something if you'll be fired for not reading it
· Note that this refers to periodicals and routine reading, which is different than a research dig

Office Logistics

· Make your office comfortable for you, and optionally comfortable for others
· No soft comfortable chairs! I have folding chairs, some people cut off front legs

Scheduling Yourself

· You don't find time for important things, you make it.
· Everything you do is an opportunity cost.
· Learn to say "No"

Learn to say No

· Will this help me get tenure?
· Will this help me get my masters?
· Will this help me get my Ph.D.?
· keep "help me" broadly defined

Gentle Nos

·"I'll do it if nobody else steps forward;" "I'll be your deep fall back," but you have to keep searching.
· Moving parties in grad school. . .

Everyone has Good and Bad Times

· Find your creative/thinking time. Defend it ruthlessly, spend it alone, maybe at home
· Find your dead time. Schedule meetings, phone calls, and mundane stuff during it

Interruptions

· 6-9 minutes, 4-5 minute recovery --- five interruptions shoots an hour
· You must reduce frequency and length of interruptions
· Blurting: save-ups
· E-mail noise on new mail is an interruption - TURN IF OFF!!