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...] about Evernote Review
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5 Things That Save Me Time
Amazon Prime We live in rural Fort Scott, Kansas and while I like to try to shop local, there is a lot of stuff we need that simply isn't available nearby. Amazon Prime gives me free two day shipping on most of their items. This means I can place an order on Monday afternoon and have it Wednesday. For an extra $3.99 per item I can get it the next day. I've used this to buy everything from books to fruit juicers to network cables. Working from Home Working from home means I don't have to waste any time getting in a car and going somewhere every day. My office is down the hall and down the stairs. Its not that uncommon to find people who are putting 6 hours (or more) into just sitting … [Read more...] about 5 Things That Save Me Time
The Productive Scholar
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...] about The Productive Scholar
New Year’s Resolutions
New year's resolutions have a bad name. They have become somewhat synonymous with "making promises you don't intend to keep" and "setting unrealistic expectations. Resolutions can be a very helpful tool, but you have to approach them in a smart way. 1. Resolutions should be daily or weekly tasks. Setting a resolution of "getting in shape" is setting yourself up for disappointment. A resolution of "go to the gym at least twice per week" is better. A resolution of "do 15 pushups each day" is another good one. Focus your resolution on the specific actions you will take--not on what you hope to achieve. 2. Set small, specific tasks as resolutions Resolutions need to be something … [Read more...] about New Year’s Resolutions
Other’s Perceptions – Are You a Threat?
Often others' perceptions of our actions are often more important that our intentions. One of the questions to ask yourself is: "Does this person see me or my actions as a threat?" Years ago, I was a young manager at a large, non-profit organization. About two years into my job, I started noticing an unusual amount of resistance from one of the vice presidents. It got to the point where it seemed as if any decision I made would result in his expending a great amount of effort to get it overturned. It got to the point where it almost seemed silly. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Eventually, I spoke with a much wiser retiree who was familiar with the organizational … [Read more...] about Other’s Perceptions – Are You a Threat?
Links of Interest from LifeRemix
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...] about Links of Interest from LifeRemix
Mozilla Thunderbird 3 Review
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...] about Mozilla Thunderbird 3 Review
Christmas Break
We are going to take a break here at Productivity501 for a few days, but we'll be back on January 4th. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! … [Read more...] about Christmas Break
What Do You Measure?
Managers are told that whatever they measure will get attention and improvement. If they measure the number of defects in cars coming off the manufacturing line, just giving it this attention will help lower the number of defects. So, how can you use this for your personal productivity? The same rule applies. Measure the things that you want to improve. For example, if you want to read more this year, keep a list of every book you read. If you want to write more for your blog, keep track of how many posts or words you produce each week. If you want to lose some weight, keep a chart in the bathroom next to your scale and record your weight every day. If you want to watch less … [Read more...] about What Do You Measure?
50 Ways to Winterize Your Home
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...] about 50 Ways to Winterize Your Home