When is timesaving a big waste?

I have been reading responses to another internet business person's recommendations for saving communication time.

Some of the recommendations are ludicrous, while others have merit. I've decided I need to consider how I truly save time and examine if I waste time and energy by being mean spirited while I think I'm being only a quick contact.

• I commit to respond to email or blogger responses that have content. Communications with content usually need help with a problem or have information that will benefit me and others. Time is an important factor, but the most important side on that is mine. Not that I'm too busy to receive someone email, but that I allow myself the time to think about a response and that I don't respond inappropriately with bad information and/or attitude.
• I can quickly let you know that I have received your message and it has not fallen into the black hole -- if you don't hear from me, be sure to check because maybe the spam program did push you into the black hole and I missed you! In that quick response, I can tell you courteously that I need time to get a decent answer ready for you. An impulsive answer will benefit neither of us.

Silly replies and forwarded email jokes risk being cut off. I'm not usually offended by the sender's thinking of me, but if there's no content or I've seen that joke before, I may just hit delete on my side and keep working. If the sender is family, a friend, or a client whom I really want to butter up, there will probably be a short response!

• I refuse to be bullied by the cost of caller ID. If you are calling to sell me something, I may tell you candidly that

1. I do not have time to take a call like this -- perhaps you called while I am waiting for another call on that line or at meal time or when I am in a conversation with someone else. You don't have exray vision or you wouldn't be a telemarketer; I cannot expect you to KNOW that this is a bad time for me.
2. I do not need or desire your product. I know you are trained to sell and be loyal to your product. My choice isn't a reflection on your product, but expresses my lack of a need or desire for it. That's part of the selling game. There are people who don't buy my product.
3. I do not make impulsive decisions on the phone. I have done that and almost every time been sorry. So, I've made myself a defensive rule from the get-go. Therefore, I probably won't donate to your cause or buy your product. Again, if you were a mind-reader, you probably would have a different job than telemarketing. Or, you wouldn't have called me to begin with.
4. Dear Reader, can you begin to see the futility in being terribly frustrated with the caller? This frustration and even anger is the fine line where I see time and energy being wasted. I commit not to waste my time and energy being provoked.

But, I will make every effort to send you on to your next customer with reasonable civility. This means I may end the call and not involve you in any argument about my choice.

I do not think it is

• funny to take all of your time getting your promotion, THEN tell you I don't want it.
• funny to make rude noises at you on the phone
• funny to lay the phone down and walk away to let you wonder what is going on

There, whether everyone agrees with me, I believe I save time and energy by being civil and not spiteful.

I do have one contact that I need to follow up with as soon as I figure out what I can do for her. She has called me and caught me at a terribly inconvenient time twice and I suspect she thinks I am a sorry contact. She may be right, but because of the inopportune time of her calls, I haven't had a chance to learn about her product to my satisfaction. Darn!

How do you burn your money?

How do you manage your energy costs with increasing prices?

I attended a local energy seminar last night with representatives from energy providors, appliance providers, building supply businesses, and vehicle maintenance experts.

Several common sense recommendations included

• Lower the thermostat
• Wear an extra layer of clothing
• Check for air leaks around windows and doors, then use various products available to stop the leaks. Estimaes of costs under $20 could be regained in energy savings the first month.
• Allow crawl spaces and attics to have some ventilation because condensation from extra moisture in a closed up house becomes a cold pack for your house.
• Have adequate insulation.
• Change or clean air filters for the furnace system.

On your car, it helps mileage to have tires inflated properly, drive a slower, steady speed, combine errands to avoid multiple trips and keep good maintenance for your engine.

These are mostly FREE common sense things to do that can save you money even as the unit price for energy goes up.

Doesn't the warm yellow print for this post make you feel warmer already? And what did it cost you?\

What is your favorite energy saving "little thing"?

Looking Good -- Being Yourself

You should notice a new addition to the links. Heather Kleinman at Cosmetics Connection has been putting out a newsletter reviewing cosmetics for several years.

Heather and her team test the products and send you the reviews! Their opinions seem pretty candid and fairl I'm impressed, so I hope you will be too.

Looking good stimulates our urges to Do Good, Be Good, or however you express the idea of performing at your top capability.

Wear the best clothes you can manage -- you will work better when you're even a little dresses up.

Wear appropriate cosmetics -- Some make-up or mild scent. Always remember to consider the space of those who work around you.

Choose a hairstyle that you can accommodate on your schedule. If you need a shower and run style, you will feel and look better with one than with a choice that requires more effort to maintain.

Be yourself, but give yourself the best tools you can find to work with. Check yourself out -- there is someone in there who wants to look good.

Busy people can get some good points and ideas from researchers like Heather. Saving yourself time and money by letting someone else check out the product contributes to your success.

Look Good Be Your Best Self!