Monday, September 7, 2009

Eye Clutter

I've been trying to be more diligent about picking up stuff and putting it where it belongs. The biggest hot spot: my desk.

At first, clutter aggravates me. However, if I don't deal with it, a strange phenomenon occurs. It becomes invisible. I get accustomed to seeing it in the same place, and it no longer elicits a negative reaction. At that point, it requires a quality decision to make a clean sweep.

Lately, I've noticed this same principle operating when viewing emails, writing loops, etc. When the tag lines become almost as long as the message, my mind blocks them out. I no longer "see" them. They become part of the landscape.

Perhaps a more judicious use of website addresses and tag lines is in order. One or two, mix it up a little bit, keep it fresh just might keep your important messages from making my eyes glaze over.

Do you pay attention to links and tag lines? Do you ever click on links given at the end of an email message, especially if it's part of a five or six-line advertisement? Do you think these long ads are effective or do you find they become invisible?

20 comments:

Christina Tarabochia said...

You're right--they become part of the background. I rarely notice them, including my own, which still says "pre-order The Familiar Stranger." Eek! Better go fix that right now!

Jody Hedlund said...

In the plethora of email that I get everyday, I tend to delete almost everything that I don't absolutely need to read. I'm trying to use my time wisely and don't have the time to read things unless they're pertinet!

Jessica Nelson said...

No, I don't click on those links, except if there's a blog one. It actually depends. If I'm interested in the persons comment then I might go check out their site. So I guess it does help, somewhat. But usually I don't click on them. :-)

Terri Tiffany said...

I know I don't open a ton of links--only the ones of people who interest me--like their blog sites or websites if I want to check them out. Happy Labor Day!

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

I'm a neat freak. Everything has to be in orderly fashion for me to work without distractions. I'm trying to learn to loosen up on this type A behavior but old habits are hard to break! Is there a pill for neat freaks!?

I rarely pay attention to links and tag lines.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Christina -

A single line captures my attention more than three or four lines. In this case, I believe less is more.

Good to see you! Enjoyed your interview with your Mom. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jody -

As much as I love the ACFW loop, I pick and choose which emails to open. Otherwise, I'd be on email 24/7. I'm thinking of switching over to the digest format.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

I'll occasionally click on a link. If there are more than two lines, my mind blocks them out. It registers as a commercial rather than an invitation to "come sit a spell."

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

I think we're seeing a pattern here. This might be a good poll question for a blog.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Donna -

LOL! I can't work if things are too neat, but I know there's a balance. Maybe you could send some of your "neat freakiness" to me, and I'll send some of my "clutter craziness" to you. :)

I hope a lot of others will comment on this question. I'll bet very few pay much attention to taglines.

Blessings,
Susan

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Oh, I agree! They all fade into the background for me. I do the digest emails so that I am not overwhelmed by the amount of emails in my box. And I have to admit, sometimes I even delete the digest without even looking at it! It all depends on my time, or lack of. :)

quietspirit said...

Susan:
If it's a tagline for a blog, I might check it out. But sometimes I am just too much in a hurry to read all the stuff. And, yes,they become part of the landscape.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I might pay attention to a blog link, but rarely anything else. If the blog link is buried in the middle of other tags, I move on.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sherrinda -

I belong to three separate loops, which gets overwhelming. Two of them are in digest form, while the other is individual emails. The digest format is easier to handle, but, like you, sometimes I don't even read those.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Heather Sunseri said...

My kitchen is where all of my eye clutter lands! I do not like clutter, but the kitchen is where it lands.

As far as links, I only click on links from trusted sources and if I have time.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I only open links if I'm really interested and I don't even open emails unless the topic seems pertinent to me or if it's directly from someone I know. The loops are great for research and putting your two-cents worth in on topics that grab you, but for the most part I have to delete without looking to keep up.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen -

Thanks for weighing in on this matter. I'm with you; I also delete a lot of emails and rarely click on links.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Heather -

I find any flat surface is a potential trouble spot. LOL!

The one exception I make to clicking on links is in my friends' blogposts. All of you provide such great information. :)

Blessings,
Susan

North Jersey Christian Writers Group said...

I agree. I struggle with clutter on a daily basis. And my eyes also glaze over those long strings of words.
Time to declutter!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Susan -

You're right! It is time to de-clutter.

Thanks. You've given me an idea for a post. :)

Blessings,
Susan