Tips
New Books Worth Reading
Oct 12th
Fiction-wise I am reading Insomnia by Stephen King Two other great book just came out, both dispel many myths regarding decisions made and how the middle class of America is disappearing. Licensed to Kill is about mercenaries, for some reason I have a sweet spot for them.
The Greatest Story Ever Sold
Licensed to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror
Read, get off your computer more often.
Productivity Online & Offline
Sep 20th
I enjoy reading how others stay productive (this causes my productivity levels to decrease BTW), so I have decided to share some tips that I use to stay productive through the day.
Offline:
- Take notes
- When you are done with a document immediately put it back from where it came.
- Clean your desk
- Get your 8hours of sleep a night
- Stay away from caffeine, if you are an addict, slowly get off it and watch how much better you feel (after the shakes and cold sweats stop)
- Turn off the TV
Online:
- Kill your IRC/IM/Chat window
- Check email, once an hour at most
- Ideally close or minimize all applications that you do not NEED to use currently. This helps you stay focused, and there is less need for multitasking.
Either:
- Walk away. Leave whatever it is you are doing for 5-10minutes an hour unless you are really into the flow. Otherwise walkaway, get something to drink, step outside for some frsh air, or grab a snack.
- First thing in the morning, plan out your day. Do not read the news DO NOT check your email. Sit down at a piece of paper or on your computer and schedule your entire day with as much detail as possible. This will help you stay on task and remember what it is you should be doing.
- Listen to music, I listen to stuff with little to no words and a semi-repetitive beat, this helps my typing get into a regular rhythm. Try to stay away from anything new.
When you have free time check out the following site:
43 Folders
GTD Wiki Entry
Another Reason to make the Switch
Aug 31st
CrossOver Mac beta was released…at least in Beta form finally. CrossOver allow you to run just about any Windows software on your Intel powered Mac product. This is not emulation, this is native.
From the CrossOver website:
“Welcome to the CrossOver Mac Beta center. We are providing a free time limited beta version of CrossOver Mac to anyone that is willing to test CrossOver.
CrossOver Mac will be the very best way to run your Windows applications on your Intel based Mac. It will let you install and run Windows programs as though they were native, all without having to buy or run a copy of Windows itself.”
Related Links:
Engadget Article
CrossOver’s Official Site
Even browse compatible software
Productivity
Aug 30th
As some people know, I have some extra time on my hands right now. I am bored, but I try to stay productive doing things. Over the years I have struggled with how to stay productive and stay focused. I still have these problems but have managed to minimize these problems. So how do I stay productive? focused? and just plain remember?
Its not that complicated, although it may sound complicated. The biggest thing for me is to write stuff down, and type it into the computer. You can do one or the other if you so choose, but I need both. Also, if you must get something done, and do not absolutely need an internet connection, unplug it.
The internet KILLS your time.
I use plain yellow sticky-notes, when around my apartment to write notes and make lists. I move these into OmniOutliner, which I believe is a Mac only software that allows to to create lists, drag text, drag pictures, drag anything and capture just about anything. I use the regular version since it meets all of my needs.
While I am not a fan of most Google applications, I have started using Google Calender, to keep track of appointments. There is a plug-in for my MacBook that puts a little icon at the taskbar so I can quickly add, and check appointments.
If you can manage, unplug your mouse. It may not seem like much time can be wasted, using a mouse. However think about how much you move it through out the day. When possible use keyboard shortcuts. When I first moved to the Macintosh platform, from Windows I found the software and interface lacking in shortcuts. However not to worry, there is software called MenuMaster, that allows any dropdown, in any piece of software to have a shortcut of your choosing assigned to it.
I also use a piece of software called QuickSilver. It allows you to run any piece of software and run different commands with it. For example, I can open QuickSilver, tell it to send an email then type part of an address (QuickSilver will recognize everything on your computer), and type a short message. Boom its sent. Did not have to launch any software, or do anything. QuickSilver is Free and besides for Keynote it is the single greatest piece of software for Macs.
Read http://www.43folders.com
Relative Links:
MenuMaster $10
Quick Silver Free WATCH this quick demo by Merlin Mann and Leo LaPorte
Omni Outliner $39.95-$69.95