A Reversible Inbox. First IN... First OUT. Does it Make Things Worse?
By
Staten Island, NY Posted: 11/17/2014 1:00:00 AM
Just put those TPS reports in my Inbox. I'll get to them later... much later.
There are two trains of thought when it comes to using an Inbox for papers. First In, First out (FIFO) or Last In, First Out (LIFO). Take your pick.
Because of the way most Inboxes are made, most people basically use LIFO by default, because whatever you put in the box most recently is on top. Technically, you can debate the merits of LIFO vs FIFO, because sometimes the newest thing in your Inbox is potentially something happening right now... and maybe it's the thing you can react to the quickest.
For many people, the item at the bottom of the box is actually the most important, because it's been there the longest. So, you look for an Inbox that has a top, so you can flip it over and work from the bottom.
Perfect. Now your oldest thing is on the top again. What can go wrong?
If you work with other people. Everything. Unless you have a second Inbox, they will keep adding things to your Inbox. This means your newly re-sorted Inbox, which now has your oldest task on top, and you newest on the bottom has a mixture of new things on top and old things. In the end, your tops and bottoms will be done way out of order and the middle never gets done.
If you work alone, Just remember to flip it back over if you don't finish cleaning it out. Otherwise, you'll be in the same mess with old and new all over the place.
Joe Crescenzi, Founder
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