Taming Outlook with A Little Code

Today I suggest a subtle change to how you use Outlook that might just make you more productive.

I use Microsoft Outlook every day, all-day long. It?s typically the first program I start and the last one I shut down. However, I realized something about my behavior when using Outlook: I often switch between inbox and calendar view all-day long (probably about 50 times a day). You know the scenario: in the morning you check your calendar and tasks for the day. You get an e-mail, now you need to schedule and appointment? click ? click.. click? click.. It?s a lot of flipping around between views. I also noticed that I often found myself flipping back and forth 3 or 4 times in one minute as I was looking at some recent messages and reviewing calendar items. I finally came up with a solution!

When Outlook starts, I open both the Inbox and then a new window with the Calendar view. This is what it looks like:

   
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You might be asking: isn?t it annoying having two windows open to the same program. At first I thought this would be the case, but it isn?t! I found it to be a more productive way to use Outlook. I now have my two main features visible and available at any time. I also find that since my calendar is always open I am more alert to what is going on in my day.