Anna | Productivity501

Paperless Office Stories

2010 by Anna Leave a Comment

We recently interviewed a group of businesspeople about their experiences with going "paperless." For some people, things went very well. For others...interesting mishaps ensued. However, each response would be helpful information to anyone that is looking into setting up a paperless office. We have been working toward a paperless office for some time, we try to do all contract exchanges and paperwork electronically, and generally this works very well. However, one requirement in our business space is that we have to have a copy of an ID document for each guests who rents accommodation from us (Europe wide law, applies too to hotels). We used to take a copy of an ID document at time … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Organize Tagged With: going paperless, interview, office, paperless, paperless systems

Übernote Review

2010 by Anna Leave a Comment

Within the past few years, developers have flooded the web with task management/note taking applications. Most of them are free (for entry-level versions) and most have the same basic idea behind them. However, each one is tailored to a certain niche. Evernote, for example, is a great catch-all device. Its full featured interface is great for large tasks and project management. Ubernote is in a different category in that it is more similar to Springpad, but Springpad is newer, and the interface is much more polished. Potential users should note that Ubernote is an older product, and the user interface reflects that fact. It is free, though. From what I understand, at the time when … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: task management, tasks, Ubernote

Springpad Review

2010 by Anna 4 Comments

Bookmarks, sticky notes, grocery lists, tasks . . . I feel like I just cluttered up that sentence. (Or sentence fragment, if you want to be technical). The web has become such a powerful tool that often its abilities outrun our ability to organize the massive amounts of information that we collect from it. If you're like me, you use your browser's system to create folders under "Bookmarks." However, this really isn't the most efficient way to categorize information that you want to reference with any kind of dexterity. Recently, there have been several companies that have produced organizational tools for the web. Evernote, Yojimbo and Chandler all have some of the same purposes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Review, Springpad, task management

Messy Desks

2010 by Anna 7 Comments

One of the greatest hindrances to productivity isn't particularly technical or complex in nature. It isn't something that's usually difficult to solve, but it takes time and effort. Messy desks are responsible for some of the most frustrating (and sometimes, humorous) incidents throughout a workday. That contract you can't find? The glasses that always seem to walk away? Clutter on a desk tends to conceal things when you most need them. However, there is a humorous side to this issue. Here are some funny stories a few people agreed to share with us. My ex-husband and I both officed out of the house. As a former marine officer, he always kept his desktop completely clear of papers. My … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: clutter, messy desk, mishaps

DocuSign Review

2010 by Anna 4 Comments

As environmental and financial pressures increase on today's businesses, managers and other administrative workers are constantly on the look-out for cost-cutting methods and ideas. One way to save both money and impact on the environment that has become popular in the last several years is paperless technology. Eliminating paper trails has other benefits, as well, besides those to the environment and finances. Organization is much more structured and convenient when it is done on a searchable hard drive rather than in a file cabinet. These reasons, among others, are some of the factors that have convinced some companies to rely less on physical paper and more on online tools and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: DocuSign, e-signatures, electronic signatures

Yojimbo Review

2010 by Anna 6 Comments

With computers becoming even more central than ever in the information age, many people are looking for ways to "unclutter" their hard drives. Sometimes the default structure just isn't quite enough to organize things quickly and efficiently. For those that favor web applications, there have been quite a few pieces of organizational software written for both Mac and PC. However, Yojimbo is written specifically for Mac users (there is no PC version). Yojimbo offers a neat feature that lets the user store information quickly, without interrupting work flow. Once the software is installed, a tab appears on the left-hand side of the screen on the desktop. Some users may like this feature … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: evernote, information management, yojimbo

Community Links

2010 by Anna 5 Comments

Many Productivity501 readers also have their own blogs. In this post we wanted to feature some of the top content from you---people who leave comments on this website. So read on to discover some great posts from the Productivity501 community. 30 Days Habit Change: Waking up at 5 AM-Freestyle Mind In this post, Oscar from Freestyle Mind writes about his plan to see if getting up at 5 AM will increase his productivity. DIY Common Sense Search Optimization-Monday Morning VA Search engine optimization can seem like a daunting task, but this article gives 4 rules for optimization that can prime your web page for optimal placement page rank. Are You a Human Decision Making … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: community, links

Links from Comments

2010 by Anna 5 Comments

In this post we wanted to highlight the websites from a few members of the Productivity501 community who have left comments recently. Thank you to everyone for reading and to comment leavers for taking part in the discussion. Enlightr We hear a lot of talk today about how the internet can bring about information overload to those who use it. Enlightr is a product that summarizes important information so that you don't have to wade through irrelevant information. MikeKey.com Michael Key writes about lifestyle design and entrepreneurship at this site. He offers bits of wisdom concerning finances, learning and other topics. The Paper Tiger The Paper Tiger is a product that is a hybrid … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: comments, readers, websites

EchoSign Review – Electronic Signatures Made Easy

2010 by Anna Leave a Comment

This is a review of Echosign a popular product for handling online electronic signatures. In my years in college and in the work force, I haven't heard many people say that they enjoy paperwork. Sometimes it's time consuming, rather boring and potentially messy. EchoSign is a product designed to help eliminate physical paper trails. Keeping track of several different documents from the same transaction can be frustrating, especially if you want to work in a paperless environment. For those that prefer to keep the paper trail organized in computer files instead of physical files, EchoSign would be a great help. This Echosign review will attempt to familiarize readers with the basics of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: EchoSign, Review, signature

Chandler Review

2010 by Anna 5 Comments

Throughout the past few years, open source applications have been rapidly increasing in popularity. Venerable products such as Firefox, Thunderbird and Linux are widely used by the public, and Firefox, especially, has become a success. A group of developers called OSAF (Open Source Applications Foundation) has created a personal information management product called Chandler. Chandler is based on some of the principles of GTD, much like OmniFocus. However, Chandler also shares some characteristics with Evernote, such as the fact that both products have a web version and desktop version that sync with each other, providing automatic back-up. Chandler is free, runs on Mac, Windows and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc

Evernote Review

2010 by Anna 37 Comments

If you want to know how to use Evernote better, check out the ebook Evernote Essentials (aff). It covers a number of different use cases and shows you how to use Evernote to stay organized and get more done. It also covers a number of features that you are unlikely to discover on your own. Evernote gives whole new meaning to the word "synchronized." This software uses technology to help users organize various types of information from several different sources into one, central, web-based location. The product also allows users to clip web pages and archive them for later reference, store screen shots, photos and text notes, all within a customizable storage system. Evernote will also … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology

The Productive Scholar

2010 by Anna 5 Comments

When most people think of going to college, they imagine a huge time drain and hours of studying. While the hours of studying is certainly a truth that can't be avoided, there are some major benefits to attending college as far as learning to manage time wisely. In my classes this past semester, I encountered many non-traditional students with families, second jobs, their own businesses and many, many other pursuits. Each of these students also had a full class load. Though the norm for traditional students entering college is to be able to slack off a bit, being able to watch the older students (and some younger ones) juggle a schedule I didn't think possible was a real learning … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: students, study, Time

Links of Interest from LifeRemix

2010 by Anna Leave a Comment

Eight Tactics for Dealing with Professional Burnout-The Simple Dollar This article gives helpful advice about dealing with the feelings that often come with working at the same vocation for many years. Some of the author's tips include learning new things, forging new friendships and sharing the knowledge that you have gained over the years. How to Make the Most of Your 401K-Wisebread Most of those in the work force have 401K's or have heard of them. However, the in's and out's of accounts and investments are often overlooked and/or misunderstood. This article from Wisebread provides beneficial information to those that are interested in getting the maximum benefit from their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: Liferemix, links

Mozilla Thunderbird 3 Review

2010 by Anna 7 Comments

Email has evolved so much over the past few years that the services that were once predominant are no longer used as much, and some may be considered even obsolete. In the fast-paced world of technology, one of the things that has seemingly gone by the wayside is desktop email. With Gmail and Hotmail garnering many clients, most people choose to use an web-based email client, instead. However, one surprisingly pleasant desktop email client has been recently updated with several unique features. Mozilla Thunderbird is an open source desktop email client (for Windows, Mac and Linux) that is based on the same basic principles as Firefox. While Firefox is the browser I prefer to use, I had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: email, Mozilla, Thunderbird

50 Ways to Winterize Your Home

2009 by Anna 5 Comments

As we enter the cold part of the year in the Northern hemisphere, here are 50 tips for how to winterize your home. If you have a suggestion that isn't in the list be sure to add it in the comments. Replace any old or inefficient windows. Windows are one of the major ways heat leaks out of your house. Seal off drafty windows and patio doors with clear plastic. If you have a lot of outside doors that leak air, you can seal a few off using plastic or caulk putty. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, there's a good chance that it wastes a lot of fuel. Consider upgrading to a newer one. Insulate the hot water lines around your hot water heater and turn down the temperature … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc

11 Free Word Processors

2009 by Anna 16 Comments

AbiWord This word processor was developed by SourceGear Corporation as an alternative to other office software. However, SourceGear stopped developing the software, and a group of open source developers took over creating the later versions of the product. AbiWord is unique in that it can be run on a myriad of different operating systems: Microsoft Windows Mac OS X (10.2 or later, Intel and PowerPC) Linux React OS BeOS Solaris etc. System requirements for AbiWord seem to be pretty reasonable, overall, and it seems to work much like its non-open source counterparts. One final, useful thing about AbiWord is that the developers offer real time support through chat and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: free, software, word processors

10 Articles on Writing

2009 by Anna 1 Comment

Behind the Blog: How I Write an Entry-Get Rich Slowly In this article, the author outlines how the process of how he creates articles for his blog. He shows through his own experiences how an article takes much time and planning to create before it is ever even nearly ready to be published. Writing and Remembering: Why We Remember What We Write-Dustin Wax In this article, the author explores the reasons why we tend to remember things that we write down. One example of this is note-taking at a meeting. Once a person has taken down the information in writing, he or she may not need to refer back to the notes because the information was put into memory while being written down. There are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Development Tagged With: writing

Interview: Home Office

2009 by Anna 6 Comments

Despite the popular misconception that working from home is simple, creating an effective work environment in your own home can be quite a challenge. Dealing with interruptions and distractions is something that every job holder faces, but for the home worker, these distractions are often more abundant and become very detrimental to productivity. We asked experts for advice on the following topic: What is your best piece of advice for creating an effective work environment in your home office? The single most important productivity strategy is equipping the home office to facilitate the work. Today, in fact, a (used!) Steelcase desk system is being delivered here. The U-shaped work … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Organize Tagged With: home, office, Productivity, work from home

Ways to Deal with Distraction

2009 by Anna 3 Comments

Focus and dedication are things that everyone must master in order to be successful and productive. We've gathered a list of articles intended for various audiences on the subject of focus. Working in a cubicle Dealing with Distractions-Dawn Foster Those that work in close proximity with others know that even small things can become major distractions. This article points out a few ways to deal with this problem. Sounding off on Cubical Survival Tips-Office Smurf This article gives some sound advice (pardon the pun) for eliminating or coping with a loudness in the workplace. Noisy Coworkers: 5 Ways to Deal with Them-noisycoworkers.com When the cacophony becomes to bad, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: distraction, office, work

Links of Interest from LifeRemix

2009 by Anna Leave a Comment

Thirteen Tips for Actually Getting Some Writing Done-The Happiness Project This post offers some practical advice for those that want to be organized about their writing schedule, as well as those that feel "burnt out" after writing. Make Your Yard Look Like Wrigley Field-The Art of Manliness Getting your yard to look decent can be a chore, and mowing isn't always everyone's favorite of the chores on the weekly "to-do" list. However, this article has some fun and interesting tips to help you make your yard look like it belongs in a stadium. Some Thoughts on Angel Food Ministries-The Simple Dollar Because of the recent economic downturn, this article might contain some useful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: Liferemix, links

100 Ways to Enjoy Life

2009 by Anna 6 Comments

The Great Outdoors Feed the ducks at the park. Cut some fresh wildflowers for your table. Go fishing. Hike somewhere with pretty scenery. Go jogging with a friend. Take your dog for a walk. Get a group of friends together for a water balloon fight. Try to find out about little-known waterfalls in your area and explore to find them. Volunteer for a non-profit association. Go camping at a place you've never been before. Learn how to sail a catamaran. Visit a farm with a friend. Go off-road mountain biking. Take horseback riding lessons. Find a quiet place with beautiful scenery to read a favorite book. Find a wildflower information book and explore to see how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: enjoyment, fun, life, recreation

Cost Savings Options

2009 by Anna 3 Comments

In today's economy, there aren't a whole lot of jobs that are completely safe from company cut-backs and layoffs. Though your job may be safe, saving extra money for emergencies is always a good idea. Here are some frugal ideas that might help with the saving: Food Try not to eat out. Food prepared at home is often better for your health, anyway. Turn leftover food into new dishes everyone will like. Lots of things can be made into soups or stews. Learn to make your own coffee/lattes instead of having to pay $4. Try drinking water instead of other beverages. It is much cheaper and can help prevent some health problems, helping you save on future medical bills. Angel Food … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Tagged With: frugality, Money, proofed, savings

Adobe Create PDF/Share Review

2009 by Anna 12 Comments

Adobe has produced many useful and efficient tools throughout the past years. At www.acrobat.com, Adobe has grouped several different tools that aid productivity. One of these programs is Adobe Create PDF. In this article by Abby Randal, the author lists 10 Advantages of PDF Files. They are compact, universally compatible, and can be created from any source document or application. Adobe Create PDF allows the user to upload a limit of 5 different files to convert to PDF format. How it works Adobe Create PDF is very simple to use. All the user needs to do is click the "Browse" button to upload a file from their own computer to be converted. It is that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: Adobe, online tools, pdf

Personal Development: How important is college?

2009 by Anna 12 Comments

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The role of a college education has changed over the years. To get an idea of how people view the importance of college I asked a number of bloggers: How important is a college education? (4039) I get this one a lot given that I teach at a university. It's very difficult to give a general answer, because it really does depend on what one is getting a college education for and how they go about getting it. The most valuable component of a college education is that it gives students a chance to reevaluate themselves outside of both the historical family context, which has a tendency to rely heavily on tradition, and the business context, which all too often relies solely upon … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Development Tagged With: college, education, interview

Adobe Buzzword

2009 by Anna 3 Comments

Though most computer users are familiar with and use Microsoft Word or a similar product, there are alternatives that many are not aware of. Finding trustworthy software that does not inhibit your productivity can be a challenge. However, the developers at Adobe have come up with an online word processing program that functions much like Word does and has the benefit of being free. As this application is a web based program, it does require an internet connection for the user to access and work on his or her documents. This has a definite up-side, though. Collaborative work For those that write with co-authors or need things to be proof read, Buzzword provides the unique service … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Adobe, Buzzword, software

Layoff Preparation

2009 by Anna 6 Comments

With knowledge of our country's current economic situation being broadcast ubiquitously across the news, it is hard to ignore the fact that the economy is slowing down. Jobs that seemed secure are now not so solid, and many employers are beginning to cut costs in any possible way they can. Unfortunately, one of the top trends seems to be downsizing with regard to personnel. Though it is always hard to deal with layoffs, there are ways to prepare for one and devise a strategic plan in case the worst happens. Recognizing the signs Though it may not always be the case, sometimes employers give unintentional information about who they are going to have to let go. Here are a few that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Tagged With: economy, job, lay off, Money, planning, severance, work

An Economist’s View of College

2009 by Anna 1 Comment

Many high school students leave their hometowns with bright ideas and big dreams about what they will do in and after college. For most Americans, a bachelor's degree in a solid field is a worthy goal. Being a college student, myself, I often hear students talking about how wonderful post-college finances will be and how wonderful it will be to drive a reliable, new car and eat real food again. However, since the current economic situation is a bit bleak, tuition costs are under the constant scrutiny of parents and students that working their way through college. SmartMoney produced a study discussed in an article that analyzes the actual return on getting an education. Bargains vs. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Tagged With: college, school, Smart Money, tuition

Tips for Taxes

2009 by Anna Leave a Comment

Here is a round up of useful tax tips as we get into the tax filing season. IRS Presents-Top Ten Tax Time Tips - This article explains some time saving measures that can help the filing process be more efficient and streamlined. 3 New Tax Changes - These tips could be useful for those that haven't yet taken a look at the recent changes in filing taxes. 6 Tax Tips for Tough Times - The advice in this article may be especially helpful for those that have recently lost jobs or other sources of income. Tax Tips for Small Businesses - This article contains money-saving information particularly relevant for small businesses. Retiring: Tax Tips - For those that have reached retirement … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money

Lotus Symphony Review

2009 by Anna 6 Comments

Most people have heard the expression, "There is no free lunch." While this may be true in some situations, it isn't always true in the realm of application software. Desktop publishing is one area where there are not a whole lot of alternatives. Microsoft hold the biggest share of the market, by far. However, IBM has come up with a free product called Symphony, which includes capabilities similar to a Microsoft Office Suite. Although the two programs are similar, they are, by no means, mirror images of each other. First Impressions Though the Microsoft Office Suite has just undergone a major update, some find the new layout a bit more confusing than they did the old. The word … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: IBM, lotus, software

Personal Development: Reading Habits

2009 by Anna 8 Comments

Most people are not suffering from a lack of things to read. For many people the difficulty is deciding what not to read as there are so many choices available. To get some ideas how people prioritize and choose reading materials, we asked a number of bloggers the following question: What are your reading habits and how do you choose reading material when there are so many options? Here are their answers. (4005) I am a "printed word" junkie so I ready everything from professional literature to cereal boxes and billboards. The public library is a great source for audio books which I use for traveling or exercising. When I find a reference to a book I would like to read, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Development Tagged With: learning, Productivity, reading

Relenta Review

2009 by Anna 4 Comments

During the course of a day, many of us find ourselves using to-do lists and other means of getting thoughts and tasks out of our minds and into a trusted place of reference. For a business, keeping employees aware of tasks and duties in an organized fashion can be a challenge. From a customer service point of view, making sure that a customer is not overlooked is certainly very important. Since much of the communication in the business world is done through email, companies are finding that it is difficult to consolidate communications so that everyone is "in the loop." Relenta CEO Dmitri Eroshenko states that, "Relenta keeps everyone on the same page...literally." And the software does just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: email, gtd, relenta, software

5 Minute Outliner 2.0 Review

2009 by Anna Leave a Comment

Sometimes compatibility issues between technological devices leave us scratching our heads and disheartened at the loss of productivity that results. One such frequent frustrate-or is programs for mobile devices. Few truly helpful organizational programs are available for use with a wide range of cell phones or PDA's. However, the developers at 5 Minute Downloads have created software that allows a user to effectively visualize and organize ideas, create outlines for projects, import information from a personal computer, and to top it all off, stay compatible with other team members in the work place and with their mobile devices. The product in question is the 5 Minute Outliner, which … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc, Organize, Productivity Tagged With: Mobile, Productivity, Technology

Collegiate Time Management

2009 by Anna Leave a Comment

College is one of the most exciting and activity-filled times of a person's life. Making new friends, developing new skills, and shouldering many more responsibilities take up a lot of time, let alone the ever-present studying that needs to be done. Time management is so important for students that many Freshman Experience classes focus on the subject. Here are a few tips to help busy students make good use of their time. 1. Plan ahead Studying in college requires more preparation than one might think. With all of the other distractions that are available, it is important to plan out a study schedule and really stick with it. That way, you will already have your studying done when your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Time Tagged With: college, responsibility, Time

Sleep and Damaged Cognitive Performance

2009 by Anna 2 Comments

In a society where success is often associated with long hours of work, some things that were never considered by previous generations of Americans are now becoming very prominent. One of these is time management. While working longer hours and weekends is something that most of us consider relatively normal, scientists have taken a look at the effects of sleep on cognitive ability. In the New York Magazine article "Snooze or Lose," researchers have discovered something rather alarming about the sleep patterns of adults and children, alike. Dr. Avi Sadeh of Tel Aviv University conducted a study on the effects of sleep deprivation in grade schoolers. In short, what he found was that a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: mind, Productivity, sleep

Attention Spans and the Internet

2009 by Anna 10 Comments

In classrooms and homes all across the nation, teachers and parents are sometimes left wondering what happened to their children's attention spans. We often hear older generations commenting disparagingly about the way younger people always seem to be hard to entertain. Some just call this phenomenon being "spoiled," but is it just the children that are losing their patience? The Internet One of the chief factors in the change of attention span and reading habits that we are seeing is being attributed to the internet. Specifically, the internet is being targeted because it encourages "skim reading" instead of the more old fashioned "in-depth" kind of study that our civilization is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: attention, internet, mind

TripIt Review

2009 by Anna 3 Comments

Though vacations are intended to be a time for creating a stress-free environment and enjoying some time off, they can quickly turn into another stressful situation. Most people will know what I mean when they remember the map shuffling, wrong turns and itinerary confusion. In other words, mass chaos! Though it is probably not possible to eliminate the stress of traveling, there are some effective tools that can help vacationers organize their travel information into a single, decidedly un-confusing plan. One such tool is a product called TripIt. This helpful web-based tool allows the user to integrate all of their travel plans for a trip into a central document. The program takes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Technology, tools, TripIt

5 Exercise Tips for Busy People

2009 by Anna 5 Comments

A normal day for most busy people consists of a constant string of tasks: go to work, get the kids ready for school, unload the dishwasher, mow the lawn, etc. The problem is, there isn't any room in the day for exercise! At least, it seems so. Students in college, professors, businessmen and women, and others from all fields of work often confront this same dilemma. There are many pressures on how we spend our bit of free time. However, the quality of the exercise done often trumps the quantity of it. Here are some ways to get the most out of your few minutes of exercise time. 1. Take a walk If you have few options, taking a 10-15 minute walk over your lunch break is a nice way to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Time Tagged With: exercise, Time, work

Virtual Assistance Companies

2009 by Anna 9 Comments

In light of the recent rise in popularity of virtual assistants, we thought that our readers would find a listing of virtual assistance providers to be useful. Executive Secretarial Services This company provides expert virtual assistance in paralegal matters, freelance office management and secretarial services. Kim Hughes and Company Kim Hughes and Company gives expert advice and assistance in real estate. They specialize in assisting real estate professionals attain their goals. Loose Ends Loose Ends is a VA company that provides a wide variety of services, a few of which are graphic design services, project management services and blog support services. Business … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: Productivity, virtual assistant

Making Yourself Indispensable

2009 by Anna 9 Comments

Since the economy is now in recession, the current state of affairs is causing many people rethink how they view their job security. Those life-long jobs we hear our grandparents speak of, unfortunately, do not exist in the numbers they once did. For most people, their best option is to make themselves one of the employees that stands out from the others in terms of willingness to work, enthusiasm and dedication to the business. Here are a few suggestions to help "recession-proof" your job. 1. Keep a positive attitude I once heard a story about a person in nursing school that was considered for a job over others, simply because of their good attitude. While many other students were … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: job security, learning, work

Excercise and Cognitive Performance

2009 by Anna 2 Comments

Most of us have gone for a walk to clear our heads at one time or another. Most often, we tend to take this form of exercise while working on very mind-intensive problems, such as studying or reading a hard-to-understand piece of material. According to some researchers, there may be a connection between exercise and clear thinking. According to this article, your daily run may not only keep you in good health physically, but may also help "clear the cobwebs" from your mind. One of the more widely publicized benefits of exercise is its positive effects on stress levels. As our society moves toward technical jobs rather than those involving physical labor, the number of people living a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Development Tagged With: brain, cognitive performance, exercise

Making Habits of New Years Resolutions

2009 by Anna Leave a Comment

New Years resolutions are a very familiar concept to most of us. The tradition of these habit-changing goals originated in ancient times in Babylon, according to most academic sources. The Romans picked up and carried on this tradition and interestingly enough, one common resolution was to ask forgiveness from enemies of the prior year. In Medieval times, the date for the New Year was changed several times, but was eventually returned to January 1st. Cultural Differences According to this article by Brooke Williams, some cultures take their New Years resolutions quite seriously. The Chinese, for example, have made house cleaning an important customary event on the first day of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: goals, New Year

Webnotes Review

2009 by Anna 2 Comments

There are many jobs and tasks today that involve very extensive research and preparation. With the advent of the internet in recent times, the search for information for students, employees and those at the executive level is much simpler and more convenient than it was several decades ago. The internet has many advantages that we could discuss; however, it does have one shortcoming for those that are conducting extensive research. If the articles were on paper already, the researcher could easily jot down some notes directly on the paper, sharing his or her thoughts with colleagues and fellow students. It could be argued that the person could print the information from the web pages, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Productivity, Technology, web

Study Tips

2009 by Anna 4 Comments

Many people will be going back to school this semester, and we thought that a list of study tips would be helpful to students as they start out a new set of classes. Study your notes after each class period, not just before tests. Start reviewing a week ahead of time if you can. That way you'll have a margin for error. Find a good, quiet place with few distractions to study in. Study in sections. For example: one hour of studying, 20 minute break, and so on... Study during the day if you can, rather than leaving it for the evening. Take a look at your classwork and determine early on which one needs the most time devoted to it. That way, you know which one you might need to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Development Tagged With: college, learning, study

SugarSync Review

2009 by Anna 3 Comments

Ever felt like you were tied down by carrying around too many gadgets? For those that use both Macs and PC's, transferring files across platforms can be time consuming or downright difficult, causing many to cart around two different machines to have access to both sets of files. However, the developers at SugarSync have come up with a better way of doing things. Staying connected There are a few programs out there that sync mobile devices with your computer. SugarSync not only does this, but also syncs files across the Mac and PC operating systems and automatically backs up those files to your own, personal SugarSync web site. This web site is secure, and allows the user to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Productivity, Technology, tools

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