A Not-to-Do List

I found this "not-to-do" list and thought it interesting enough to post about. In summary, the list of nine items is:

1. Don't answer calls from unrecognized numbers.
2. Don't email first thing or last thing in the day.
3. Don't agree to meetings with no agenda or end time.
4. Don't let others ramble.
5. Don't check email constantly.
6. Don't over-communicate with low-profit customers.
7. When overwhelmed, don't work more--prioritize.
8. Don't carry a cellphone or crackberry 24/7.
9. Don't expect work to make up for a sucky personal life.

Hmm. I am guilty of a few of these, most notably #2 and #5. I write emails any time I need to. I check my email (company email, that is), often. I have no choice with #1--not every corporate phone number shows up in caller ID. Most external numbers do show up. And I answer the phone. Likewise, I have no choice about #3 or #4. It's a corporate culture thing. We don't often get agendas; meetings are usually 1 hour. Exchanging pleasantries is a career expanding thing. I tried the other; it didn't work.

I am conspicuously not guilty of #7, #8 or #9. I am killer when it comes to focusing effort when things get busy. I like to say that nothing focuses your mind better than an impending deadline. Not everyone works better under pressure, however. And I can still become overwhelmed at times, particularly when I'm not sure what I should do. I rarely have to put in overtime.

I don't have a corporate cellphone--yet--and I don't like to take calls outside of regular hours. Others don't agree; I turn the damn thing off in retaliation. My home life is fine, and it's easily the most important thing I have going for me. So there.