I saw an interesting post on Slashdot about the first thing IT managers do when they get to work. Here’s a sampling:
- Read Slashdot
- Check the whiteboard to see where problems
- Check on the nightshift before the escape
- Check the queue on SMS
- Check email
- Make coffee
- Socialise with co-workers
- Boot up PC
- Update timesheets and paperwork
- Various bodily functions
- Check server logs
- Replace backup tapes
- Planning my day in my diary
It got me thinking. The first thing I do every day has to set the tone and pace of the day to follow. After all, I diligently try to get up early to find extra time in the day.
I’m ashamed to admit that the first thing I do is check my email. Usually while drinking a nice cup of tea. Really, I should try to meditate or bash out 250 words or something. My wife does ‘morning pages’ which helps her.
So, what’s the first thing you do when you get to work?
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I work at home on the computer, so what I used to do first was check email and read blogs for an undetermined amount of time.
Then I encountered posts like this one at Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/software/top/geek-to-live–control-your-workday-187074.php
Since then, I’ve been trying to do at least some work on the 5 most important things on my list before I power up the computer.
Check email
Read my RSS feeds
It’s hard to jump right in, and reading my feeds usually gets the brain going. Especially when i read the feeds related to my industry. it usually gets me wanting to work on my client’s stuff and help them succeed.
Check blog comment queues, I’ve now got five sites that I simply must keep on top of…just in case that incredibly insightful, earth-shattering comment arrives while I sleep
Then it’s email
db
Ego search technorati, then read my main feeds. After that, check the inbox. Like Jude and your good self I work from home, so being married to the pc is part of the package.
check email and bloglines, turn on yahoo messenger. later i heard that the first 60 minutes is crucial time to get the work done. now i came 30 minutes earlier to avoid guilty on checking my emails first
Check email.
Read my horoscope.
Eat oatmeal, drink tea, check e-mail AND put out fires, check news sites, tackle work that I set up to work on first thing. Every day before leaving work, I clean my entire desk and write a list of work for the next day so that everything is clean and ready for me in the morning.
With Active todo list:
Check Email/Review todo
Without active todo list:
Chat with receptionist
Change tapes
Read Tech/Productivity Feeds
Avoid Gaming Feeds
I starts with reading mails and then go for the work. But I think first two hours are important for work when you can do things quite rapidly compare to other sessions. When things starts to slow down I prefer to read some news.