Productivity gains have always been vital to the economy, as they help us accomplish more with less. This is an introduction to the main techniques, aimed at helping you choose the right approach for your specific requirements.
Enhancing productivity has been a key concern for businesses since the industrial revolution, when the amount of human labor needed to prosper was reduced by machinery. Our current digital age has its own unique set of complications that impact output. Sometimes, the best way to escape from a productive rut is to switch up our tools. Whether it’s a smarter to-do list, a deep focus technique, or a more efficient way to schedule meetings, seeking both analog and hi-tech solutions can help manage time and produce better work.
Whether it’s a smarter to-do list, a deep focus technique, or a more efficient way to schedule meetings, seeking both analog and hi-tech solutions can help manage time and produce better work. Tackling that email inbox: ‘Inbox Zero’ Getting your email under control is one of the best things you can do for your productivity.
Getting your email under control is one of the best things you can do for your productivity. In 2007, productivity hacker Merlin Mann developed the concept of ‘Inbox Zero’, whereby following the principles of ‘delete, delegate, respond, defer or do’ you can process all emails in 20 minutes.
In the decade since Mann’s Google Tech Talk, the number of emails we receive has increased massively, and we now need more guidance on how to prioritize. When new emails arrive, move them to one of the four appropriate folders: ‘Inbox’, ‘To-do’, ‘Follow-up’ or ‘One day’.
The only emails that stay in your ‘Inbox’ are those that are urgent and can be handled quickly. Drag non-urgent emails and emails that will require more than a three-minute response into your ‘To-do’ folder. Move any emails with tasks that you've delegated or you're awaiting a response for to the ‘Follow-up’ folder. ‘One day’ emails don’t require a response – they’re things you’d like to read/review at some point in the future. For more advice on taming the email monster, read here.
If we're coming at an inconvenient time for you, or if you missed our DHL driver and found a yellow card on your doormat, then choose where and when you want to receive your parcel. That way, you can be sure you'll get your parcel as quickly as possible.
If the scheduled delivery time isn't convenient for you, or if you'd rather collect your delivery from a DHL ServicePoint, you can change the time or location of delivery the day before delivery.
If you weren't at home, our driver will leave you a yellow card. You can use this card or the email from DHL to make a new delivery appointment. Choose a DHL ServicePoint, have your parcel delivered to your neighbors, around your home or arrange another home delivery.
If you'd prefer to pick up your parcel at another DHL ServicePoint or want us to make another home delivery, you can tell us your delivery preferences in a few simple steps. Below you can explore the delivery options.
Want to pick up your parcel any time? We can deliver it to one of our DHL ServicePoints. You can choose from five DHL points near you, which may be a store or locker. We'll tell you when it's ready.
If you want to receive your parcel even when you might not be at home, that’s no problem. You give the courier permission to leave your parcel in a specific place around your home.
If you know you won’t be at home, ask your neighbors to sign for the delivery. Remember to tell us their address, so our courier gets the right person.
We'd be happy to come again. Use the info on the yellow “missed DHL delivery” card to arrange another delivery time or day, including on a evening or a Saturday.
Found a yellow card on your doormat? Use the delivery code and your postal code to find out where your parcel is headed next. Or just scan the QR code with your phone. Of course, you can also schedule a delivery at a time and location that suits you. You will receive the Missed DHL Delivery card even if we have delivered the parcel to your neighbor.
Make a new delivery appointmentWe're there to help as soon as we can. We've put together a list of FAQs that may just provide an answer to your question.
How long will the DHL ServicePoint keep my parcel?
Seven days at most. We'll notify you when we've received your parcel and will send a reminder three days later. You'll then have a week to collect it before it's sent back to the sender.