Archive - June, 2010

Is Your Todo List a Black Hole of Productivity?

Black Hole

Is your todo list a black hole of productivity? Do you put things on your todo list that never get done?  That never see the light of day again?

You do a good job of putting things on your list, but are not so good at doing what is on your list.

The good news it that capturing what you need to do is an important first step. However, executing on that list is equally important.

How to Keep Your Todo List From Becoming a Black Hole

The trap that many fall into is that after they construct their todo list, they never look at it again.  They are great at putting things on a list, a piece of paper, or a Post-It note, but then never return to it.

If you want your todo list to drive your productivity, then you need to give it center stage when determining what you need to be doing.

Here are some ways to keep your todo list from becoming a black hole: (more…)

The Person Who Can’t Keep Appointments

Keep appointment thumbnail

We all know someone who can’t keep appointments.  Maybe a co-worker, a friend, or even a client.

You know who I am talking about.  The one who always cancels things at the last minute.  The person who shows up to the meeting that is already in progress.  The individual that can be counted on to have a total disregard for everyone else’s time.

In fact, they are so consistent, that everyone expects them to be late or a no-show.

How to Deal With The Late Ones (more…)

3 Small Ways to Buy More Time

CLEAR

Do you buy more time?  I do sometimes.  When it makes sense.

I am not talking about paying late fees or penalties.  These are reactive punishments for lateness and disorganization.

What I am referring to is investing in things that give me more time.

Here are just a few of my favorite recent examples:

1 – Amazon Prime

Shopping online in general is a huge timesaver.  It saves time running errands.  It saves gas.  And in most cases, it saves money.

Amazon Prime is Amazon’s membership program.  For $79/year, you receive unlimited FREE 2-Day shipping on most products.  You also get $3.99 next day shipping for when you need something really quick. (more…)

iPhone iOS 4 – Productivity Quick Look

IMG_1355

It’s no secret that I am a big Apple fan.  I use the iPhone for most of my productivty needs, and the iPad has replaced my laptop.

Yesterday was a big day for the iPhone.  No, the new iPhone is not out yet.  That is later this week.  However, the new operating system, iOS 4, was released for all current iPhone 3G and 3GS phones.

This is a huge update with literally over 100 new features packed into it.

I installed it last night on my iPhone 3GS.  While I haven’t had much time to put it through its paces, here is a quick look at the big new features… (more…)

5 Reasons Email is Now Snail Mail

Close up of a snail on a laptop

Just how fast is email? Not that fast, really.

Here is a little secret…

“Email has become the new snail mail.”

Email used to be fast. Very fast, in fact.

Not anymore. Now it is slow.

Why is this? How did email become relegated to a second rate communication tool?

1. More Immediate Methods

The main reason that email has taken a backseat, is that there are now so many more communication options. And some of the newer methods are really fast. Things like text messages, IM, Twitter, Facebook updates and chat. Email has been replaced with even more immediate intrusions into our life. Why send an email when I can send a message that will pop-up on my friends cell phone or computer screen?

2. Can’t Expect Immediate Answers

Once upon a time, when email was still magical, people would sit in front of their computers just waiting for emails to arrive. But, somewhere along the
(more…)

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