Optimal Productivity. Minimal Effort.
Achieve Effective Personal Productivity.
Why Outlook Productivity?
This is more than just basic "Outlook training". It is a course in Effective Personal Productivity, including 8 Ways to Productivity Mastery, techniques to form productivity habits, and progressively working towards your self-selected 'productivity identity'.
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… get into your bed at night with a smile on your face because everything you wanted to do that day has been done. No more open loops that keep calling your name.
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... your decisions and actions are guided by your chose 'productivity identity', e.g. 'Focused Mxolisi', 'Dependable Susan'. 'Relaxed Jo.'
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... make your work visible and actionable.
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… transform chaos into order.
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… save up to 40 minutes every day. That's one month every year.
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... process, prioritise, organise your work.
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…, master your mailbox. No more overwhelm.
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… make your life easier - simply.
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... your optimal blend of people (you, your team or group). process (our Map For Action, aka The Productivity Decision Tree) and other unique-to-us processes), and technology (Outlook).
Logistics
The four pillars of Outlook Productivity are on-demand access to content, live group coaching with facilitator and fellow students, ongoing support, and membership in the Productivity Pit Stop Learning Community.
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Available in the standard flipped-classroom format with spaced repetition, compact online workshops, or an on-site in-person workshop.
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Flipped-classroom format: Independent self-study with six structured group coaching sessions, onboarding, and a final celebration. Workshops are about 40 minutes each.
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Compact online format: Two 3-hour workshops within seven days of each other.
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In-person format: We will come to the venue of your choice: one full-day workshop or two half-day workshops. Travel and accommodation are for your account.
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Productivity Pit Stop Learning Community: This community is free for alumni. You can meet like-minded productivity enthusiasts, attend special webinars, and participate in discussions.
Course curriculum
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W1 Roadmap
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W2 How "Outlook Productivity" is different from "Outlook Training"
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W3 Your "Productivity Nickname"
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W4 Cultivating Productivity Habits
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W5 Your Personal Journal
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W6 Assessment and Certificate
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Quiz: Welcome
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0.0 Article and introduction
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0.1 Way 1: Productive mind
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0.2 Way 2: Clarity
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0.3 Way 3: Alignment
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0.4 Way 4: Slow down to speed up
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0.5 Way 5: Flexibility
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0.6 Way 6: Focus
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0.7 Way 7: Finish what you start
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0.8 Way 8: Learn and improve
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0.9 Quiz: 8 Ways to Productivity Mastery
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1.1 Outlook navigation
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1.2 Get the most from the Ribbon Bar
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1.3 Change context in a flash
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1.4 Create new Outlook items using keyboard shortcuts
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1.5 Using the Map For Action to drive clarity
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1.6 Introduction to Mind Dump
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1.7 Empty your head into a system that lives outside of your head
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1.8 See your work in progress in one window
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1.9 Transform your mind dump to actions
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1.10 The importance of Reviewing your day.
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1.11 Daily Review
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1.12 Start your day proactive and in control
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1.13 Eliminate email distractions
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1.14 Custom email notifications - be notified by request, not by default
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1.15 Support: Accountability buddy
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1.16 Quiz: Fundamentals
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2.1 Introduction to managing your Email
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2.2 Quick Steps: Organise emails with one click
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2.3 Creating Quick Steps
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2.4 Turn an email into an action in Calendar
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2.5 Reference Mail Folders
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2.6 Using Search Folders
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2.7 Quiz: Making your work visible and actionable
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3.1 A quick way to create messages from existing information
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3.2 Dealing with CC Mail (Courtesy Copy)
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3.3 Following up without effort
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3.4 Activating BCC (Blind Courtesy Copy)
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3.5 Colour coding your Inbox
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3.6 @Mentioned mail
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3.7 View as conversations
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3.8 Ignore a conversation
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3.9 Quick Parts allows you to create predefined "templates" for Outlook
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3.10 Discussion Notes
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3.11 Outlook Email Templates
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3.12 Creating a PST "Archive Folder"
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3.13 Quiz: Mailbox Mastery
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4.1 Review the Map for Action
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4.2 Introduction to Calendar
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4.3 Different Calendar Views
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4.4 Calendar Settings
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4.5 Appointments
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4.6 All Day Events
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4.7 Daily task list
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4.8 Colour-code your Calendar for sharper focus
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4.9 Using your Calendar for Communication
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4.10 Meeting Requests
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4.11 Flexible Focus
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4.12 Quiz: Prioritise, Plan and Schedule Day-specific Actions
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Outlook Productivity works better in groups.
What happy customers are saying...
Cedric Pila
I learned so many new things about a program I use every day. Don’t ever think you know everything about something; there’s always more to learn!
Claire Lees
I can already see the time this will save me – and also how it will help me to “keep up with” and not miss important items.
Deidre de Vos
My emails and planning of my tasks are going to be so much smoother and less stressed. Informative, mind changing, an absolute must!
Gerhard Germishuis
It changed my outlook on Outlook from a tool that controlled me to something I can control in a positive way to make my everyday life easier.
Dena van den Bergh
I found the course really worthwhile and essential in supporting success especially in this age of digital distractions and email clutter.
Sonto Thusi
It's a really great way to structure your work life. Very informative and easy to action.
FAQ
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Do I get a certificate?
Yes, if you achieve the minimum level of requirements.
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How long does it take to complete the course?
This is a hybrid course. You have lifelong access to the content so there is no real "finish time". The individual work is supported by the structure of 8 or live online facilitator-led workshops with your group.
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Can I do this on a mobile device?
Yes, you can download the Thinkific app fomr the App store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thinkific/id1557573471?platform=iphone) or Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/search?q=thinkific&c=apps&hl=en_ZA&gl=US).
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Can I apply this course in Outlook for Mac?
The short answer is 'no'. Sorry!
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Will this course work with my version of Outlook?
We created the course videos using Outlook 365, and that's what you will see on the course. Because this course is based on principles of productivity, you will be able to apply all of the tips, tricks and techniques apply to all versions from Outlook 2010 and later.
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What support do I get?
You get supported at various levels. You can communicate with instructors in every lesson, albeit not in real time. You can email your instructors at any time. You will be invited to join the Productivity Pit Stop Learning Community to engage with other alumni to keep learning. This is NOT a Facebook group.
Your Guides
Duncan will be your lead facilitator and will support you during and after your course with 1:1 coaching.
As the voicemail message on his cell phone says:” If I can’t take your call I am either in a workshop or out cycling!”
Duncan’s industrial engineering background and his love of the “ooh” and “aahhh” moments when people learn a really cool trick in MS Outlook, are his inspiration and motivation in helping people use their technology in ways that make them more productive.
Was there life before the Internet, cell phones and gadgets? Duncan’s glad he missed it!
Gerrit is a hardworking lazy guy - working very hard all the time to find ways in which to get the right things done easier, faster and better. To achieve optimal productivity with minimal effort.
What brings him great joy is that the quality of life of every person who implements even a little bit of what they get during a course will improve.