Posted May 31, 2005 — 2 Comments
The following is a quick story highlighting one time when a tool, in this case Backpack, did exactly what I wanted it to—help me remember my ideas so I can relax more, enjoy my weekend and be more productive.
As I was heading out last Friday this post from 43 Folders came through via RSS. I gave it a quick scan and knew it was something I wanted to read, but I had to get out the door and on with my weekend. I also thought it’d be something worth posting about over at Lifehacker where I’m a substitute writer for the next week or so.
So I pulled up Backpack, in which I’d created a Lifehacker page for this very thing. I added the link, a quick note that it might be worth a post, and a item to my list to review it and check if it had already been posted. In a minute or so I’d collected the link, subsequent idea and I’d put it out of my mind in a place where I could get it when I got back. Thus freeing myself up for fun times over the weekend.
There were many times in the past I’d have either spent some serious time with it right then, thus extending my week, or somehow brought it with me, thus compromising my weekend. That is, unless I just decided to forget about it entirely. Any of these would have been less than ideal and counterproductive.
This is how tools like Backpack should work, IMHO. To help you, among other things, get the most out of your weekend while keeping important things where you can easily come back to them!
Popularity: 4%
Posted in Miscellaneous — 2 Comments
Posted May 26, 2005 — 2 Comments
A quick preface to this new “resource” category: Just like many of you I’m still working on my work/life balance. I’m learning to GTD, be more productive and keep stress levels down. It’s an ongoing process that I feel will last a lifetime. Lifelong learning is very important to me and always will be. As I learn and discover resources, I’m going to share them here. Some of these might be old news. If that’s the case, consider these quick posts a little reminder. You never know when something might come in handy.
Resource: The Getting Things Done Public Forum
Last night I spent some time over at David Allen’s Getting Things Done Forum. I found lots of great stuff there, from fairly active discussions on GTD to a pointer to the “original” GTD workflow chart.
You’ve got to register to begin a thread, but it’s pretty painless and could open you up to a great support system.
Popularity: 12%
Posted in Resources — 2 Comments
Posted May 26, 2005 — 9 Comments
Wow, this personal productivity thing is really catching on, isn’t it? Not too much of a surprise, I suppose. Today Thomas Weber, of the Wall Street Journal, has a nice write up of several Web-based productivity applications.
Along the way he makes a very good point I feel is worth mentioning:
Can a high-tech list help you accomplish more? I’ve been testing several in hopes of getting my own life better organized. I discovered some clever features and found that the shared-list capability works well for those who need it. But as with other organizational tools, from day-planner notebooks to PDAs, what you get out of these sites depends on how much you invest in their approach.
As with most the tools and processes we use to get more things done, be more productive and maintain a better work/life balance (which to me is the key to all this stuff) it only goes as far as you take it. All the tools and systems in the world won’t help you if you don’t put the necessary effort in, right?
I’ve been using Backpack and I’m growing more and more fond of it as I get in there and mold it to my working style. To be totally honest, at very first blush, I wasn’t sure what to do with it. But I applied myself to it and, after a slight learning/figuring-out curve, it opened up and quite a few useful ideas on how to use it popped into my head.
Now, after a few weeks of use, I’m finally reaping some rewards. But it was, by no means, instantaneous. Follow through and effort were needed, and more will be needed to get the most out of it. It’s like that with almost everything in life. At times I feel like all this productivity stuff could be just a placebo, and I imagine that, for some, it is. But then I remind myself that it’s up to me to make sure it works for me, and that no system and no tool, is going to help me on it’s own.
Remember that as you work (and it is work) to make yourself more productive, less stressed or whatever you’re in it for. Keep the goal in mind and put a little of your back into it.
Popularity: 5%
Posted in Motivation — 9 Comments
People often ask me how I’m able to keep my sites moving forward and updated with (hopefully) good content as often as I do. I’ve actually talked about this several times over at my “flagship” site, Asterisk and I’m thinking about a book/site dedicated to the idea of successful content creation.
The thing is, I go to great lengths to keep my sites up-to-date, interesting and moving forward. My off-the-cuff answer is that I “write fast”, and that’s true, but there is a bit more to it than that. To be a productive content provider (blogger) you need to be organized, do your best to hold on to good ideas and know when to work and when to wait.
Read more »
Popularity: 20%
Posted in Quick Tips and Tricks — 94 Comments
We love video games. We do. I know it’s not just me. In fact, I’m pretty sure that video gaming is now the number one leisure time activity around the world. Seems pretty strange to me, being from a generation that didn’t have much in the way of computerized games when I was a kid, but hey, who am I to complain, right? I love ‘em. Heck I listed “Play more video games” in my “Why Get Things Done?” post.
As much as I love video games they are probably the biggest detriment to me getting things done and staying productive. As you can imagine this can be quite a problem. They’re a “life” danger to my work/life balance. Anyone play World of Warcraft? If so you probably know what I mean…
Since I enjoy playing games, and in large part they are a great stress reliever and a welcome release from work and such, I’ve come up with a few productivity tips for those who love to play games. I’ve been using these for awhile now and they seem to be working out well.
- Set aside time to play. Make a “play date” if you will. This keeps you from just picking up a controller willy-nilly.
- Rent. I find that if I buy games I tend to want to make sure I get “the most” out of them, whatever that means. I feel almost guilty if I don’t play to the end. Kind of defeats the purpose.
- Play the “easy” version. This can be huge. It’s usually just as fun, probably less frustrating, and it takes less time.
- Play when you know you’ll have to stop. Like an hour before you’ve got to go somewhere.
- Don’t play at night after everyone has gone to bed. This is a hard one to do, as it’s the best time to just play, but if you’re like me, this can keep you up all night. I still do this, I just try and do it less often. I need my sleep to be productive.
Posted May 18, 2005 — 8 Comments
Most endeavors have some sort of goals associated with them. This must be true for those of us who are striving to be more productive and maintain a better work/life balance. I know I’ve been taking steps, such as starting this site, to help move myself toward some goals I’ve set. I mean, I’m not trying to “get things done” just for the hell of it! ;)
So, I’m curious, and willing to share. Why are you trying to be more productive? What does less stress and more “getting things done” mean to you? Are you wanting more time for you to more of your 43 things? Do you want a better job? Maybe planning on a trip to Africa?
Let me know why you’re getting things done. I find this kind of sharing motivational and hope you do too. For me I’ve got a few specific goals in mind and a whole lot of vague ones.
Why I’m Getting Things Done
- To write more clearly
- To start and finish a book
- To communicate more accurately
- To improve my health (less stress and all that)
- To be outside more often
- To earn more money
- To control more of my time
- To meet people
- To help people
- To take better photos
- To listen to more music
- To travel
- To teach
- To learn
- To grow
- To play more video games
- To read more often
- To sleep in
- To keep from forgetting things
To-done is the newest member of the 9rules network. I’m happy, excited and proud to be connected in with so many quality sites and think To-Done is a great fit. I feel the topics I’m going to cover here are something that could of interest to just about anyone and I’m sure that being part of a content network of quality sites will help bring the discussion to some new audiences.
Here’s to the future and I hope y’all find lots to learn, share and discuss here at To-Done.
Popularity: 3%
Posted in Miscellaneous — No Comments
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