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...] about Paperless Office Stories
interview
Interview: Productivity Tool
In our interview series we asked a number of people the following: What do you feel is your most important productivity tool?(1532) The metaphorical axe - no bit of software or technology would help me if I didn't know how to constantly remove anything from my life that is getting in the way of living in a balanced and productive manner. Joel Falconer (rss) The word "No". I am getting really good at establishing boundaries and saying "No". "No" is probably THE most difficult thing for anyone, like me, who is interested in everything, loves talking with people, and has no internal time clock. I love generating ideas and options. I truly do not naturally like to say no to … [Read more...] about Interview: Productivity Tool
Interview Productive Work Zone
What is your most valuable tip for getting into your productive zone for working? (190) Definitely keep a clean desk and inbox. Before I leave work for the evening, I clean off my desk. When I get to work every morning, I always have a clean desk. The only stuff that can be found on my desk are projects that require action that day. The same can be said for my inbox. Every evening I clean it out. The next morning only contains emails that I'll read/work on that day. Michael Morton from Marketing Monster (rss) Pavlovian conditioning. Here's where procrastination can really hurt you in the beginning. If you go into your home office (or cubicle or whatever) and do nothing, that's … [Read more...] about Interview Productive Work Zone
Inteview: Biggest Productivity Challenge
What is your biggest challenge to productivity and how do you overcome it? (671) That is the question we asked a number of bloggers and here are their answers. As a student, I was a master of procrastination, running down the clock as long as I could before beginning a project. What resulted was strong work and ridiculous levels of self-induced pressure. (I suppose that's the academic version of living on the edge.) The strategy that I now like to call granularity helped me to overcome my tendency toward procrastination, by making it possible to see a large project as a matter of many smaller, more manageable tasks. Michael Leddy from Orange Crate Art (rss) My biggest challenge … [Read more...] about Inteview: Biggest Productivity Challenge
Interview: Successful Habit
What productive habit do you feel is most responsible for your success? (960) I try to only do things that make me happy. I could make more money working in an office than from cooking or writing, but it would bore me and make me frustrated and angry. So while I might not always want to get up at eight AM to slave in a hot kitchen, knowing that I'll enjoy the work and have fun with my friends there means I never resent it. And I apply that same mentality to my writing and my studies and everything else I do. It's only hard work if it's something that you don't want to do in the first place. David Robertson from The Church of Chris Martin (rss) Getting started. It's only … [Read more...] about Interview: Successful Habit
Personal Development: How important is college?
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) While independent learning and personal growth through books, seminars, and networking can significantly bring you closer to your professional career goal, a college education is important for the following reasons. The exposure to a wide variety of subjects expands your understanding of the world. As an effect, it will help you communicate with individuals from other professional fields down the road, while understanding the interrelationships their work may have on yours. The … [Read more...] about Personal Development: How important is college?
Development: Make yourself smarter
In this interview we asked people: What is the best way you have found to make yourself smarter and more valuable? Below are the answers with the highest voted ones at the top. Read, read and read. Then act and implement. Rinse and repeat. Joel from Joel Falconer (rss) There are few things that are as valuable as a regular plan for reading over your entire lifetime. Listen, listen, and then listen some more. Notice the patterns in everything. Notice what is good before you try to fix what could be better. Notice the way things work instead of wishing things were different. Accept what is before you try to change it. Surrender to what you cannot change. Truly care … [Read more...] about Development: Make yourself smarter
Personal Development: How do you know it is time to look for a different job?
We are getting back to posting the answers to our interview questions. I've found it is interesting to hear how individuals decide it is time to move on to another job. Here are the answers from the people we interviewed. If you have a method you use, please share in the comments. I think when you start counting down -- hours to the end of the day, days to Friday, weeks to vacation -- it is time to start finding something more fulfilling. Wishing your life away is no way to live -- when you are doing something deeply satisfying, time disappears and each day becomes exhilarating! Kristen from BOOK CLUB CLASSICS (rss) I think we underestimate the value of a minute spent doing … [Read more...] about Personal Development: How do you know it is time to look for a different job?
Vote for best answers
We have some new interviews online. You can help by voting the the answer that you think is the best. When we publish the interview the highest rated questions make the top of the list. … [Read more...] about Vote for best answers
Interview with Kevin Butler & Giveaway
Fellowes, a company known for paper shredders, is promoting some of their ergonomic non-shredding products. Their approach was interesting. I was contacted and asked if 1. I'd like to try out some of their items, 2. if I'd like some free stuff to give away, and 3. if I'd be interested in interviewing their certified ergonomic consultant. I was particularly intrigued with the chance to ask a professional ergonomist some questions. This post contains Keven Butler's answers. Kevin is a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist and works as a consultant for Fellowes, Inc. Make sure read through to the bottom for our first ergonomic giveaway courtesy of Fellowes. 1. What is the most … [Read more...] about Interview with Kevin Butler & Giveaway
Vote on Interview Answers
If you can spare a few minutes to vote on some of the answers from interviews it will help us improve the quality of upcoming posts. Pick an interesting question and then choose the best of the two answers provided. … [Read more...] about Vote on Interview Answers
Interview: Hard Drive Organization
We asked a number of bloggers to share their tips for keeping their computer organized. The answers fall into two camps. One group prefers a good folder hierarchy while the other prefers no hierarchy and just uses search. I use the latter method for my email, but I'm still getting a lot of benefit from my file folder structure. What is your most important tip for keeping your computer hard drive organized? (837) A folder structure that makes sense is essential. I've seen people with a folder called "Work" and a folder called "Personal" and nothing more, each containing hundreds or thousands of files without any semblance of organization. I've also seen structures with more folders … [Read more...] about Interview: Hard Drive Organization
Interview: Cause of Disorganization
What is the single biggest mistake you see people make that causes disorganization? Not following simple daily routines and systems. It is really easy to spiral into disorganization and chaos in any area of life. Success all comes back to basically two things: systems or routines that make sense for our life and our goals, and daily discipline to maintain them. If routines and systems are optional, there will be way too many days we end up not following them. As soon as we even start thinking about not sticking to our simple routines, we begin to spiral into disorganization. Melissa Michaels from The Inspired Room (rss) It tends to be the little things that are done consistently that … [Read more...] about Interview: Cause of Disorganization
Vote Again
With well over 3,000 votes in the Organization category, we are ready to move on to the Personal Development section. So take a few minutes to vote for your favorite answers. You just select a question that looks interesting and then select the best answer from the two presented. When you stop seeing any new interesting answers, just move on to another question. … [Read more...] about Vote Again
Vote!
As I mentioned before, we are doing a series of interviews for Productivity501. However to help make things a bit more interactive, I'd like some help in determining which tips are the best. If you have a few minutes take a look at this question and answers about the most useful gadget. You'll see two answers. Simply click on the vote button for the one you think is the best answer. You can do this as many times as you like. Once we get a number of votes, we'll publish the results. … [Read more...] about Vote!
Looking for Bloggers to Interview
I'm working on a new set of interviews on various productivity and life management topics and I'm looking for bloggers who would like to participate. We will then publish all the answers to a particular question together along with the name, website, and RSS feed of the person who contributed each answer. This can be a great way to highlight your website and your writing. You choose which questions you want to answer, so it only takes a few minutes to participate. If you are interested in participating, send an email to [email protected] with the subject interview and a link to your website. … [Read more...] about Looking for Bloggers to Interview