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Productivity & Time-Management

Share tips, ideas, and advice - I need it! ;)

Network Leader: Rebecca Thorman

Networks > Productivity & Time-Management

Rebecca Thorman Thanks to Ryan Paine (below) for introducing me to Toggle - https://www.toggl.com/public - pretty ...MoreThanks to Ryan Paine (below) for introducing me to Toggle - https://www.toggl.com/public - pretty awesome way to track your time!

13 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Alison Rayner: I can definitely see how Toggl could help me stay on task. I should give it a try.
1 week ago

paulmacp: A tool right out of the "Four Hour Work Week"... I like it.
1 week ago

Erin Murtagh Does anyone use any tracking tools, spreadsheets etc. to log work they've done during the day? I'm thinking specifically for sales, freelance work, but I'd love to hear if anyone else uses ...MoreDoes anyone use any tracking tools, spreadsheets etc. to log work they've done during the day? I'm thinking specifically for sales, freelance work, but I'd love to hear if anyone else uses something!

15 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Lauren Burns: I keep a separate calendar within Outlook. I have my public calendar with meetings,etc and then I also keep a private one that is my "time ...MoreI keep a separate calendar within Outlook. I have my public calendar with meetings,etc and then I also keep a private one that is my "time sheet". I add to it as I've been doing work, or at least at the end of the day # of hours worked on various projects. You can access this from iPhone too.
12 weeks ago

Alison Rayner: When I was working in sales I used Outlook too. My system was a lot to get used to but once habits formed it saved me many times. I kept track of ...MoreWhen I was working in sales I used Outlook too. My system was a lot to get used to but once habits formed it saved me many times. I kept track of all communications with every client. In busy season, I worked with 20-30 different clients a day. What I did was used the normal Outlook reminder feature to handle time sensitive stuff, but I got used to making a "task" in the name of each company I dealt with. When I received a phone call I would make action notes of what took place as a result of the conversation. I would track when I sent contracts, faxes, & emails because frequently I had to cover my butt. It was so useful if I sent quotes to people & found them calling back to get a lower price. Hope that helps!
1 week ago

Rebecca Thorman I enjoyed this article on how to avoid the "idea-to-idea" syndrome, and how so many of us are distracted by all of our ideas. I love the quote Belsky ends on, "Productive idealists recognize the ...MoreI enjoyed this article on how to avoid the "idea-to-idea" syndrome, and how so many of us are distracted by all of our ideas. I love the quote Belsky ends on, "Productive idealists recognize the value of resisting the seduction of creative flings that seldom last." - http://bit.ly/dCKjFG - are you an idea person? Or do you have a good mix of idea/productivity?

2 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management and Creatively Inspired

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Cecilia Ussher: Great piece. Thanks for sharing.
1 week ago

Ty Unglebower: Well written. I will say that I have been a victim to that "disease" in the past, and on occasion I still am. But I think I am mostly in ...MoreWell written. I will say that I have been a victim to that "disease" in the past, and on occasion I still am. But I think I am mostly in remission, as it were.

As soon as I started writing down the basics of any idea I have, (especially fiction) as soon as it hits me, the better I got. Just the knowing that the basics of the idea DO EXIST on paper somewhere tends to calm me. It is always there to be referred to. It won't escape. If ever I want to start up on it, it's waiting for me. I don;t need to keep it in my head.

Maybe that's why people sometimes engage in so many ideas; they fear that if they don't, a great ideal will be forgotten by the time they finish something else.
1 week ago

Rebecca Thorman Let's talk about discipline - any tips? For instance, how do you keep to an exercise or blogging schedule or other things that could be deemed as "optional" when life and work get in the way?

7 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Dawn Frost: I saw this idea this weekend. I thought that it was very interesting. StickK.com is a place for you to put a contract on yourself...commit to ...MoreI saw this idea this weekend. I thought that it was very interesting. StickK.com is a place for you to put a contract on yourself...commit to something. If you fail in your contract, your money goes towards a charity (you select) that you hate. It's supposed to help you manage your motivation. It takes accountability to another level. You can also get your friends/family involved so they know what you're committing to.
3 weeks ago

Steven Swernofsky: I've found that being reminded every day keeps what you want in mind for when you're in the moment. For example, there's an iPhone app called ...MoreI've found that being reminded every day keeps what you want in mind for when you're in the moment. For example, there's an iPhone app called "LoseIt" which seems to provide enough reminders to stay on a diet.
3 weeks ago

David Bennett Tips? First, acknowledge that there is an inherent tension in blogging only when you feel you have something you want to say, while knowing that it takes regular updates to keep a loyal following.

7 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Adam Schwenk May have already been shared but http://www.ninite.com is an incredibly useful site if you're windows-OS based. :-)

13 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Lee Farrar: I can second that, I just switched laptops at work and Nininte halved the time it takes me to get everything setup.

7 weeks ago

Ryan Paugh Hey everybody! Tonight's #u30pro chat topic is all about staying productive at work. It's a perfect topic for the Holiday season, and a perfect topic for members of this Network!

We ...MoreHey everybody! Tonight's #u30pro chat topic is all about staying productive at work. It's a perfect topic for the Holiday season, and a perfect topic for members of this Network!

We still need members of Brazen Careerist to give us question suggestions for the chat tonight @8PM EST. If you have any questions you'd like to share, leave them as a comment in this post - http://bit.ly/4vL1wA

Thanks for helping out!

13 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Scott Rossow I just purchased my first big-boy phone (an iPhone) and wondered if anyone here recommends any specific Apps for increasing Productivity and Time-Management.

So far, strangely, my ...MoreI just purchased my first big-boy phone (an iPhone) and wondered if anyone here recommends any specific Apps for increasing Productivity and Time-Management.

So far, strangely, my most productive App has been Pandora Radio because it stops me from wasting time browsing through my songs and creating on-the-go playlists for my ADD-ears.

What are your recommendations?

15 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Mike: - Omnifocus is very good listing application if you do the david allen style "getting things done" approach.
- evernote: free, same ...More- Omnifocus is very good listing application if you do the david allen style "getting things done" approach.
- evernote: free, same idea
- Files lite - free (full version allows more space I think) great for carrying around pdfs you should be reading when you have spare time
- wikipedia has an app now that's not bad for looking things up.
- dictionary .com has one too

13 weeks ago

Mike: - Audiobooks is great for downloading free classic books and listening to them when you are waiting around
- Netnewswire allows you to ...More- Audiobooks is great for downloading free classic books and listening to them when you are waiting around
- Netnewswire allows you to import your google reader feeds to check out on your iphone
- I like craigsphone for checking out buy/sell in my area

a few that I have found to be good!
13 weeks ago

Andrew Parkes Hey everyone - I created a new Network called 'The 6 Figure Young Professional.' Check it out if you're currently earning 6 figures (or want to very soon!)
Thanks,
Andrew

14 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Jay Hepner I've got OpenOffice. Who knew?

14 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Jay Hepner Can anyone recommend a good and FREE word to pdf converter? See many ads online, but am skeptical.

All advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance! Jay

14 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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erichfriedman: It looks like you've answered this one already, but I usually just hit 'print' and then choose 'PDF.'
14 weeks ago

Presh Talwalkar: I'll add in some thoughts too.

--Google Docs can convert to PDF
--Open Office has this built in
14 weeks ago

Jay Hepner Just downloaded Cute PDF and GhostReader. Will let you know. Thanks again.

14 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Jay Hepner Thanks, you guys! I've got two 36-page word docs--Vocabulary word lists--I want to compact. Will sites mention explain how-to? Should I anticipate big hassles due to multi-paged task?
MoreThanks, you guys! I've got two 36-page word docs--Vocabulary word lists--I want to compact. Will sites mention explain how-to? Should I anticipate big hassles due to multi-paged task?

TIA! (Thanks in advance!)

14 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Rebecca Thorman Mondays are always my most productive days - I wonder why that is? And how I can replicate that for every other day... thoughts?

17 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Scott Asai: Maybe one of your strengths is that you're a great "starter" and enjoy planning for the week ahead. What if you treated each day like the ...MoreMaybe one of your strengths is that you're a great "starter" and enjoy planning for the week ahead. What if you treated each day like the beginning of the week and planned what you will do exactly a week from today? (except remember to rest on the weekend!)
17 weeks ago

Erin Murtagh: I think I'm most productive on Tuesday and Wednesday.
15 weeks ago

Andrew Parkes Hey Productive Friends!
If you're on Twitter (and I don't already follow you), send a msg to @andrewjparkes to let me know. I have a cool surprise to share with the first 20 people from ...MoreHey Productive Friends!
If you're on Twitter (and I don't already follow you), send a msg to @andrewjparkes to let me know. I have a cool surprise to share with the first 20 people from here that do so.
Thanks,
Andrew

15 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Andrew Parkes: Oh, I probably should mention - the surprise deals with productivity! :)
15 weeks ago

Holly Dunckel Why is 5S more difficult to apply to your own life than to the workplace?

17 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Amanda Broman: We had a 5S day in our office yesterday, and many people were struggling with it! I think applying it to your life is more difficult b/c your life ...MoreWe had a 5S day in our office yesterday, and many people were struggling with it! I think applying it to your life is more difficult b/c your life isn't the same processes repeated. There is more variety and unexpected events. It also doesn't help that you, usually, only have to answer to yourself. Good Luck!
17 weeks ago

Erin Murtagh Morehttp://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/bregman/2009/07/an-18minute-plan-for-ma...

23 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Andrew Parkes: Great post - thanks, Erin.
23 weeks ago

Tera: Great Article! Here is the link to tips being focused. Hope that it helps!

MoreGreat Article! Here is the link to tips being focused. Hope that it helps!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4554902_focus.html
17 weeks ago

Daniel Hoang I outsourced my cleaning chores by hiring a bi-weekly housekeeper. She saves me a good 10 hours a month of cleaning duties so I can focus on other important activities.

19 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Rebecca Thorman: My boyfriend has a housekeeper every other week. It's totally essential for him and completely worth it. For me, I de-stress by cleaning... but I ...MoreMy boyfriend has a housekeeper every other week. It's totally essential for him and completely worth it. For me, I de-stress by cleaning... but I wouldn't mind having the occasional cleaning done by someone else!
19 weeks ago

Erin Murtagh: Money well spent in my opinion. Once I have a bigger place I will definitely think about having someone come in to help me with cleaning. I ...MoreMoney well spent in my opinion. Once I have a bigger place I will definitely think about having someone come in to help me with cleaning. I think its worth the money to have that time to do other things.
18 weeks ago

Rebecca Thorman My friend wrote about how to fake being organized (http://bit.ly/3iDphj) - Carry things in a nice folder is my ...MoreMy friend wrote about how to fake being organized (http://bit.ly/3iDphj) - Carry things in a nice folder is my favorite tip. I also happen to clear things off my desk into a drawer, but never file... ha.

19 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Elysa Rice: fun read. I also use google cal text message reminders
19 weeks ago

Erin Murtagh Time Mgmt tip I've been reading about-cooking and freezin meals in advance. Its an obvious one that I don't use nearly enough.

20 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Rebecca Thorman: I've been reading so much about this too - I've been trying to do more of it, but it's difficult to find meals that freeze well and taste just as ...MoreI've been reading so much about this too - I've been trying to do more of it, but it's difficult to find meals that freeze well and taste just as good. I also find I don't think it's as fresh, even if that's not the case. Going to keep trying though!
19 weeks ago

Erin Murtagh: I agree, doesn't taste as fresh. I have some frozen stew on hand, and its been great in a pinch. I'm going to try freezing up my own burritos ...MoreI agree, doesn't taste as fresh. I have some frozen stew on hand, and its been great in a pinch. I'm going to try freezing up my own burritos soon, Ill let you know how they taste!

19 weeks ago

Justin A. Sharpe Trust me Scott, that's my intention. Harder said than done though. Hopefully my research and program development will be convincing enough.

21 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Justin A. Sharpe I see many people are posting about exercise. This is good, as exercise can actually increase productivity, by reducing stress!

21 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Scott Asai: Preach on Justin. Would someone tell that to the corporate wellness clients?
21 weeks ago

Justin A. Sharpe I am glad to have found this group, as this is the area I plan on writing my dissertation on for my PhD! I hope to learn a lot!

21 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

Beth Oppenheim-Chan I was wondering what people's advice/tips were for fitting exercise into a daily schedule alongside work?

22 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management

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Melanie Lopez: I like to workout at the end of the day so I don't have to get all dressed up again and re-do my hair! Having a set time to go helps too.
22 weeks ago

Cassie Holman: I always carry a set of workout clothes in my car...looking at them all day seems to serve as some kind of motivator to hit the gym!
21 weeks ago