jeffkreeftmeijer/communication-policy.adoc

## 4 changes: 2 additions & 2 deletions communication-policy.adoc
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite l


    - I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification. When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.  This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway.
- I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification. When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.  This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway.

    - If I get a Slack notification, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.
- If I get a Slack notification, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.

    - I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.
- I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.

    - I check Slack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.
- I check Slack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.

    - I'm in as few channels as possible. I'm not in notification channels if I don’t need the notifications, or if I can move them over to email.
- I'm in as few channels as possible. I'm not in notification channels if I don’t need the notifications, or if I can move them over to email.


    I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is.
I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is.


    [small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input._#
[small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input._#

    [small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input, and Jelte for typo-hunting._#
[small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input, and Jelte for typo-hunting._#

## 87 changes: 87 additions & 0 deletions communication-policy.md
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@

    After coming back from a two-week break---in which I didn't check my
After coming back from a two-week break---in which I didn't check my

    work email or Slack---I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to
work email or Slack---I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to

    whatever happened in my absence.
whatever happened in my absence.


    ![Slack's direct message view](slack.png)
![Slack's direct message view](slack.png)


    Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn't the case. I cleared my inbox in
Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn't the case. I cleared my inbox in

    about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do
about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do

    immediately and moved everything that'd take more time to the correct
immediately and moved everything that'd take more time to the correct

    project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my
project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my

    unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.
unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.


    This hasn't always been the case. I remember coming back from some
This hasn't always been the case. I remember coming back from some

    holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple
holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple

    communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed
communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed

    anything.
anything.


    Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try
Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try

    to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using
to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using

    synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.
synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.


    # Funneling everything through email {#_funneling_everything_through_email}
# Funneling everything through email {#_funneling_everything_through_email}


    I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication
I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication

    tools.
tools.


    Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It's my Fortress of
Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It's my Fortress of

    Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of
Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of

    the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also
the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also

    have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me
have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me

    know when I receive a direct message so I don't have to check in there
know when I receive a direct message so I don't have to check in there

    too often.
too often.


    Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up
Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up

    for everything, so I know I don't miss anything if I keep up with my
for everything, so I know I don't miss anything if I keep up with my

    inbox.
inbox.


    -   I'll go through my inbox at least twice a day. Once when I start
-   I'll go through my inbox at least twice a day. Once when I start

        working, and once before I leave.
    working, and once before I leave.


    -   I'll respond immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it
-   I'll respond immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it

        (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time.
    (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time.


    -   If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other
-   If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other

        tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.
    tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.


    -   I'll unsubscribe from issues, un-watch repositories or ignore
-   I'll unsubscribe from issues, un-watch repositories or ignore

        threads on Basecamp if I'm not needed.
    threads on Basecamp if I'm not needed.


    By handling email this way, I don't need to separately check Github and
By handling email this way, I don't need to separately check Github and

    Basecamp to see if there's anything waiting for me to pick up. It's all
Basecamp to see if there's anything waiting for me to pick up. It's all

    in email.
in email.


    # Managing Slack direct messages and unreads {#_managing_slack_direct_messages_and_unreads}
# Managing Slack direct messages and unreads {#_managing_slack_direct_messages_and_unreads}


    By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email.
By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email.

    I try to keep work-related messages I need a response to off Slack as
I try to keep work-related messages I need a response to off Slack as

    much as I can to keep it from becoming a distraction for others. GitHub
much as I can to keep it from becoming a distraction for others. GitHub

    or Basecamp are better channels for that.
or Basecamp are better channels for that.


    I've struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I
I've struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I

    quite like.
quite like.


    -   I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning
-   I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning

        me or sending me a direct message won't send me a notification. When
    me or sending me a direct message won't send me a notification. When

        direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won't be
    direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won't be

        notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway. This button
    notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway. This button

        gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and
    gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and

        notify me anyway.
    notify me anyway.


    -   If I get a Slack notification, I'll drop whatever I'm doing and will
-   If I get a Slack notification, I'll drop whatever I'm doing and will

        get back on the message as soon as I can.
    get back on the message as soon as I can.


    -   I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see
-   I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see

        if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task,
    if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task,

        I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.
    I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.


    -   I'm in as few channels as possible. I'm not in notification channels
-   I'm in as few channels as possible. I'm not in notification channels

        if I don't need the notifications, or if I can move them over to
    if I don't need the notifications, or if I can move them over to

        email.
    email.


    I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the
I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the

    senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent
senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent

    something is.
something is.


    *Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your
*Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your

    input.*
input.*

## 71 changes: 71 additions & 0 deletions communication-policy.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

    <?asciidoc-toc?>
<?asciidoc-toc?>

    <?asciidoc-numbered?>
<?asciidoc-numbered?>

    <article xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" xmlns:xl="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" version="5.0" xml:lang="en">
<article xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" xmlns:xl="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" version="5.0" xml:lang="en">

    <info>
<info>

    <title>Embrace email, mute Slack. A policy for handling incoming messages</title>
<title>Embrace email, mute Slack. A policy for handling incoming messages</title>

    <date>2020-01-06</date>
<date>2020-01-06</date>

    <author>
<author>

    <personname>
<personname>

    <firstname>Jeff</firstname>
<firstname>Jeff</firstname>

    <surname>Kreeftmeijer</surname>
<surname>Kreeftmeijer</surname>

    </personname>
</personname>

    <email>https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com</email>
<email>https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com</email>

    </author>
</author>

    <authorinitials>JK</authorinitials>
<authorinitials>JK</authorinitials>

    </info>
</info>

    <simpara>After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email or Slack—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.</simpara>
<simpara>After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email or Slack—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.</simpara>

    <informalfigure>
<informalfigure>

    <mediaobject>
<mediaobject>

    <imageobject>
<imageobject>

    <imagedata fileref="slack.png" contentwidth="with notifications turned off"/>
<imagedata fileref="slack.png" contentwidth="with notifications turned off"/>

    </imageobject>
</imageobject>

    <textobject><phrase>Slack&#8217;s direct message view</phrase></textobject>
<textobject><phrase>Slack&#8217;s direct message view</phrase></textobject>

    </mediaobject>
</mediaobject>

    </informalfigure>
</informalfigure>

    <simpara>Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.</simpara>
<simpara>Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.</simpara>

    <simpara>This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn&#8217;t really sure I missed anything.</simpara>
<simpara>This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn&#8217;t really sure I missed anything.</simpara>

    <simpara>Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.</simpara>
<simpara>Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.</simpara>

    <section xml:id="_funneling_everything_through_email">
<section xml:id="_funneling_everything_through_email">

    <title>Funneling everything through email</title>
<title>Funneling everything through email</title>

    <simpara>I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication tools.</simpara>
<simpara>I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication tools.</simpara>

    <simpara>Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It&#8217;s my Fortress of Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me know when I receive a direct message so I don’t have to check in there too often.</simpara>
<simpara>Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It&#8217;s my Fortress of Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me know when I receive a direct message so I don’t have to check in there too often.</simpara>

    <simpara>Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up for everything, so I know I don’t miss anything if I keep up with my inbox.</simpara>
<simpara>Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up for everything, so I know I don’t miss anything if I keep up with my inbox.</simpara>

    <itemizedlist>
<itemizedlist>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>I&#8217;ll go through my inbox at least twice a day. Once when I start working, and once before I leave.</simpara>
<simpara>I&#8217;ll go through my inbox at least twice a day. Once when I start working, and once before I leave.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>I&#8217;ll respond immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time.</simpara>
<simpara>I&#8217;ll respond immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>If it&#8217;ll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I&#8217;ll let the other party know that it&#8217;ll be a while.</simpara>
<simpara>If it&#8217;ll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I&#8217;ll let the other party know that it&#8217;ll be a while.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>I’ll unsubscribe from issues, un-watch repositories or ignore threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed.</simpara>
<simpara>I’ll unsubscribe from issues, un-watch repositories or ignore threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    </itemizedlist>
</itemizedlist>

    <simpara>By handling email this way, I don’t need to separately check Github and Basecamp to see if there’s anything waiting for me to pick up. It’s all in email.</simpara>
<simpara>By handling email this way, I don’t need to separately check Github and Basecamp to see if there’s anything waiting for me to pick up. It’s all in email.</simpara>

    </section>
</section>

    <section xml:id="_managing_slack_direct_messages_and_unreads">
<section xml:id="_managing_slack_direct_messages_and_unreads">

    <title>Managing Slack direct messages and unreads</title>
<title>Managing Slack direct messages and unreads</title>

    <simpara>By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email. I try to keep work-related messages I need a response to off Slack as much as I can to keep it from becoming a distraction for others. GitHub or Basecamp are better channels for that.</simpara>
<simpara>By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email. I try to keep work-related messages I need a response to off Slack as much as I can to keep it from becoming a distraction for others. GitHub or Basecamp are better channels for that.</simpara>

    <simpara>I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite like.</simpara>
<simpara>I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite like.</simpara>

    <itemizedlist>
<itemizedlist>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification. When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.  This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway.</simpara>
<simpara>I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification. When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.  This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>If I get a Slack notification, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.</simpara>
<simpara>If I get a Slack notification, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I&#8217;m working on finishing a big task, I&#8217;ll read messages within two hours during my workday.</simpara>
<simpara>I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I&#8217;m working on finishing a big task, I&#8217;ll read messages within two hours during my workday.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    <listitem>
<listitem>

    <simpara>I&#8217;m in as few channels as possible. I&#8217;m not in notification channels if I don’t need the notifications, or if I can move them over to email.</simpara>
<simpara>I&#8217;m in as few channels as possible. I&#8217;m not in notification channels if I don’t need the notifications, or if I can move them over to email.</simpara>

    </listitem>
</listitem>

    </itemizedlist>
</itemizedlist>

    <simpara>I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is.</simpara>
<simpara>I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is.</simpara>

    <simpara><phrase role="small"><emphasis>Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input.</emphasis></phrase></simpara>
<simpara><phrase role="small"><emphasis>Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input.</emphasis></phrase></simpara>

    </section>
</section>

    </article>
</article>

## 6 changes: 6 additions & 0 deletions communication-policy.adoc
@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@

    = Embrace email, mute Slack. A policy for handling incoming messages
= Embrace email, mute Slack. A policy for handling incoming messages

    Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>
Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>

    2020-01-06
2020-01-06

    :description: “I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.”
:description: “I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.”

    :url: https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com/communication-policy/
:url: https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com/communication-policy/

    :image: slack.png
:image: slack.png

    :revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions
:revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions

    ifdef::env-github[]
ifdef::env-github[]

    :imagesdir: https://gist.githubusercontent.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/raw
:imagesdir: https://gist.githubusercontent.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/raw

    endif::[]
endif::[]


    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email or Slack—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email or Slack—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.


## 5 changes: 4 additions & 1 deletion communication-policy.adoc
@@ -3,10 +3,13 @@ Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>

    2020-01-06
2020-01-06

    :revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions
:revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions


    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.

    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email or Slack—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email or Slack—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.


    image::slack.png[Slack's direct message view, with notifications turned off]
image::slack.png[Slack's direct message view, with notifications turned off]


    Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.
Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.


    This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything.
This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything.


    Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.
Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.


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## 32 changes: 15 additions & 17 deletions communication-policy.adoc
@@ -1,25 +1,28 @@

    = Communication policy
= Communication policy

    = Embrace email, mute Slack. A policy for handling incoming messages
= Embrace email, mute Slack. A policy for handling incoming messages

    Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>
Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>

    2020-01-06
2020-01-06

    :revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions
:revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions


    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work e-mail—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work e-mail—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.

    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work email—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.


    Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.
Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.


    This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything. Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages.
This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything. Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages.

    This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything.
This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything.


    ## Funneling messages through email
## Funneling messages through email

    Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.
Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages. I try to make any communication as asynchronous as possible, even while using synchronous, distracting tools like Slack.


    ## Funneling everything through email
## Funneling everything through email


    I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication tools.
I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication tools.


    Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It's my Fortress of Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me know when I receive a direct message so I don’t have to check in there too often.
Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It's my Fortress of Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me know when I receive a direct message so I don’t have to check in there too often.


    Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up for everything, so I know I don’t miss anything if I keep up with my inbox.
Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up for everything, so I know I don’t miss anything if I keep up with my inbox.


    To make this manageable, I’ll unsubscribe from issues on Github or threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed to reduce the amount of email whenever I receive something that’s not important to me.
To make this manageable, I’ll unsubscribe from issues on Github or threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed to reduce the amount of email whenever I receive something that’s not important to me.


    I'll go over my email first thing in the morning, and once in the afternoon before I leave work. I'll respond to an e-mail immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time. If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.
I'll go over my email first thing in the morning, and once in the afternoon before I leave work. I'll respond to an e-mail immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time. If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.

    - I'll go through my inbox at least twice a day. Once when I start working, and once before I leave.
- I'll go through my inbox at least twice a day. Once when I start working, and once before I leave.

    - I'll respond immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time.
- I'll respond immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time.

    - If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.
- If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.

    - I’ll unsubscribe from issues, un-watch repositories or ignore threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed.
- I’ll unsubscribe from issues, un-watch repositories or ignore threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed.


    By handling email this way, I don’t need to separately check Github and Basecamp to see if there’s anything waiting for me to pick up. It’s all in email.
By handling email this way, I don’t need to separately check Github and Basecamp to see if there’s anything waiting for me to pick up. It’s all in email.


@@ -29,16 +32,11 @@ By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email. I try to


    I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite like.
I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite like.


    First off, I try to be in as little channels as possible, and I unsubscribe from notification channels if I don’t need to be notified of them, or if I can move them over to email.
First off, I try to be in as little channels as possible, and I unsubscribe from notification channels if I don’t need to be notified of them, or if I can move them over to email.


    I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification.
I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification.


    Since I’m not notified of any messages, I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll messages within two hours during my workday.
Since I’m not notified of any messages, I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll messages within two hours during my workday.


    When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.
When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.


    This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway. If that happens; I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.
This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway. If that happens; I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.

    - I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification. When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.  This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway.
- I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification. When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.  This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway.

    - If I get a Slack notification, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.
- If I get a Slack notification, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.

    - I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.
- I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll read messages within two hours during my workday.

    - I'm in as few channels as possible. I'm not in notification channels if I don’t need the notifications, or if I can move them over to email.
- I'm in as few channels as possible. I'm not in notification channels if I don’t need the notifications, or if I can move them over to email.


    I love this feature, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is because I’m notified of everything.
I love this feature, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is because I’m notified of everything.

    I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is.
I love Do Not Disturb in, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is.


    [small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input._#
[small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input._#

## 1 change: 1 addition & 0 deletions communication-policy.adoc
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@

    = Communication policy
= Communication policy

    Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>
Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>

    2020-01-06
2020-01-06

    :revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions
:revisions: https://gist.github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/de3f8a4d9ab9a1ba4069753fa323a2fc/revisions


    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work e-mail—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work e-mail—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.


## 43 changes: 43 additions & 0 deletions communication-policy.adoc
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@

    = Communication policy
= Communication policy

    Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>
Jeff Kreeftmeijer <https://jeffkreeftmeijer.com>

    2020-01-06
2020-01-06


    After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work e-mail—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.
After coming back from a two-week break—in which I didn’t check my work e-mail—I prepared to spend most of a day catching up to whatever happened in my absence.


    Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.
Somewhat to my surprise, that wasn’t the case. I cleared my inbox in about two hours, in which I responded to everything that I could do immediately and moved everything that’d take more time to the correct project boards to be prioritized and picked up later. After clearing my unread messages in slack, I realized I was all caught up in record time.


    This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything. Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages.
This hasn’t always been the case. I remember coming back from some holidays and spending a couple of days catching up by checking multiple communication channels, after which I still wasn't really sure I missed anything. Part of this is thanks to my policy of handling incoming messages.


    ## Funneling messages through email
## Funneling messages through email


    I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication tools.
I use Email, Basecamp, Github, Intercom and Slack as communication tools.


    Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It's my Fortress of Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me know when I receive a direct message so I don’t have to check in there too often.
Others seem to view email as a productivity killer. It's my Fortress of Solitude. I try to funnel all incoming messages through email. Most of the items in my inbox are from Github, Intercom, and Basecamp. I also have email notifications set up for Slack channels I idle in, to let me know when I receive a direct message so I don’t have to check in there too often.


    Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up for everything, so I know I don’t miss anything if I keep up with my inbox.
Email is my single source of truth. I have email notifications set up for everything, so I know I don’t miss anything if I keep up with my inbox.


    To make this manageable, I’ll unsubscribe from issues on Github or threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed to reduce the amount of email whenever I receive something that’s not important to me.
To make this manageable, I’ll unsubscribe from issues on Github or threads on Basecamp if I’m not needed to reduce the amount of email whenever I receive something that’s not important to me.


    I'll go over my email first thing in the morning, and once in the afternoon before I leave work. I'll respond to an e-mail immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time. If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.
I'll go over my email first thing in the morning, and once in the afternoon before I leave work. I'll respond to an e-mail immediately if I can, or schedule time to look into it (by blocking out time in my calendar) if I need some more time. If it'll take more than a day to produce a response because of other tasks, I'll let the other party know that it'll be a while.


    By handling email this way, I don’t need to separately check Github and Basecamp to see if there’s anything waiting for me to pick up. It’s all in email.
By handling email this way, I don’t need to separately check Github and Basecamp to see if there’s anything waiting for me to pick up. It’s all in email.


    ## Managing Slack direct messages and unreads
## Managing Slack direct messages and unreads


    By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email. I try to keep work-related messages I need a response to off Slack as much as I can to keep it from becoming a distraction for others. GitHub or Basecamp are better channels for that.
By definition, Slack is more difficult to turn asynchronous like email. I try to keep work-related messages I need a response to off Slack as much as I can to keep it from becoming a distraction for others. GitHub or Basecamp are better channels for that.


    I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite like.
I’ve struggled with Slack, but lately I feel like I arrived at setup I quite like.


    First off, I try to be in as little channels as possible, and I unsubscribe from notification channels if I don’t need to be notified of them, or if I can move them over to email.
First off, I try to be in as little channels as possible, and I unsubscribe from notification channels if I don’t need to be notified of them, or if I can move them over to email.


    I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification.
I have Do Not Disturb turned on at all times, which means mentioning me or sending me a direct message won’t send me a notification.


    Since I’m not notified of any messages, I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll messages within two hours during my workday.
Since I’m not notified of any messages, I check Spack multiple times a day, usually in between tasks, to see if anything new came in. Unless I'm working on finishing a big task, I'll messages within two hours during my workday.


    When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.
When direct messaging me, Slack shows a message explaining I won’t be notified, complete with a button to notify me anyway.


    This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway. If that happens; I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.
This button gives the sender the ability to push an urgent message through; and notify me anyway. If that happens; I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and will get back on the message as soon as I can.


    I love this feature, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is because I’m notified of everything.
I love this feature, as it puts the decision to notify me in the senders hands instead of taking me off my work to determine how urgent something is because I’m notified of everything.


    [small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input._#
[small]#_Thanks Maarten, Jankees, Jeroen, Piotr, Antek and Thijs for your input._#