What is your second favorite personal productivity site? I'm assuming the Productivity501 makes the top of your list. :) Seriously though, what site gives you the most useful practical information on getting more done? Leave the URL in the comments and a brief note about how the site helps you. … [Read more...] about Best Productivity Blog
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Skype for Tech Support Calls
When I call a tech support line, I usually use Skype. This keeps my other lines free and gives me the greatest freedom to stay on hold if necessary. I don't have to worry about my cell phone battery going dead or tearing through hundreds of cell phone minutes that could be put to better use elsewhere. With a reasonably comfortable headset, I can continue to do other work while waiting to speak with a support representative. … [Read more...] about Skype for Tech Support Calls
Cluttered Work Environment
When our working environment is cluttered, our minds are cluttered. --Len Merson I generally consider this statement true, but wondered what you think. Do you require a clean workspace in order to have clear thought processes? … [Read more...] about Cluttered Work Environment
Business Liability Webinar
If you have or are considering starting a business, you'll want to checkout Legal Andrew's webinar tomorrow. He is going to talk about using business structures to protect your personal assets. The cost is $9 for the hour long webinar. With the included Q&A, the webinar is a tremendous value for business owners. … [Read more...] about Business Liability Webinar
Define and Conquer
There was an interesting experiment done by the American Pulpwood Association when they were looking to increase the productivity of loggers. Half of the loggers were given a specific, high goal to achieve. The other half were encouraged to do their best. The people who were assigned goals started bragging to one another as well as to family members as to their effectiveness as loggers. Productivity soared relative to those crews who were urged to do their best. Goal-setting instilled purpose, challenge, and meaning into what had been perceived previously as a tedious and physically tiresome task. A by-product of the goal intervention was that, within the week, employee attendance … [Read more...] about Define and Conquer
Destroying Magazines
I find that magazines are much more useful once you recognize that it is ok to tear pages out of them. Rip out the articles that you think look interesting and take them with you to read while waiting. Once you finish reading an article you can throw it away. An article that you read and toss is worth far more than one sitting on a shelf that you never have time to read. … [Read more...] about Destroying Magazines
Deep Decluttering
One of the most effective methods of decluttering is to move everything out and then just put back what you need. The next time you need to clean your office, the kitchen cabinets, or a closet, consider moving everything out as your first step. Get a three large boxes. One for stuff that goes back, one for stuff that gets thrown away and one for stuff that should go elsewhere. Most people find it is easier to organize when the items have already been removed. It helps keep you from leaving something that belongs elsewhere. … [Read more...] about Deep Decluttering
Relaxing on Purpose
Over the last holiday, I spent some time thinking about how we relax. Personally, I find that there are two ways achieve "down time". The first way is when I intentionally plan to take some time relaxing. This occurs when my wife and I decide to watch a movie, go on a walk, take some vacation and visit family, or go to the lake. The second way is when I have a list of things that I need to work on, but I really want to take a break. In this situation, I intend to do work, but instead I find myself fiddling with some gadget, browsing the web, etc. The first way of getting down time is relaxing, fun and refreshing. The second is frustrating and makes me feel worn out and like I need to … [Read more...] about Relaxing on Purpose
Investing in Excercise
There has been a long running belief that your body never produces new brain cells. This has been disproved. The brain does create new brain cells. There was a study done recently with mice to see how exercise impacted memory. The research was conducted by Fred Gage of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif. Gage and his colleagues allowed a group of old mice and a group of young mice to exercise on a running wheel as much as they wanted. The mice ran about 2 miles every day. The researchers also kept a third group of older mice that didn't exercise. After a month of the regular exercise, the team subjected the mice to a memory test. The researchers taught the … [Read more...] about Investing in Excercise
10 Articles on Working from Home
High-Paying Work-from-Home Jobs-AOL This article describes several different ways that a person can work from home and still earn a good salary. The list includes many different options from several areas requiring various skills. Some of the job suggestions include running a travel agency, Medical claims processing, graphics design, property managing etc. Going Green by Working from Home-Sun It is interesting how gas prices and other environmental factors have inadvertently encouraged many companies to "go green". Sun has made it an option for some of their employees to work from home about 2 days per week. This small change has allowed employees to save approx. $1,700 in gas costs and … [Read more...] about 10 Articles on Working from Home