With the economy tanking, and people facing job loss at record levels, I thought I would share what I learned from my three months of unemployment.
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I used to be on the cutting edge of productivity software. If there was a new tool out there, I tried it. I would spend days wrestling all my tasks, dreams, lists and whatnot into the new software, learning all the ins and outs of the software, only to be disappointed in the results, and repeat the process the next time new software would come out. It occurred to me about years ago that this behavior is just a way of playing at being productive. After all, I was busy, and even if I wasn't getting anything done, it was in the name of productivity, right?
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I am big into the idea of menu planning. Besides allowing me to limit my shopping time, it takes off the afternoon pressure of trying to figure out what we will have for dinner.However, there are days when the planned menu just doesn't work. It could be because we have already eaten all the leftovers, schedules are in conflict, or because the cook (read: me) is ill. Fast food used to be the only option, but we discovered that it is easier and more healthy to have a few backup pantry meals on hand.
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I am not a morning person. In fact, I have great difficulty in waking up unless there is sufficient light. And since winter is a time of insufficient morning light, coupled with cold mornings, it is very difficult for me to get up and get things done. Yet getting those things done is what sets the tone for the whole day. Here are five ways that I get past the groggies:
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Not everyone can maintain a filing system.
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I do a moderate amount of web reading, and I thought I would share my system.
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I thought I would present a list of other shortcut keys that can make things easier.
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I spend a lot of time at my computer. It involves a lot of navigation between and within programs, and it really slows me down to have to reach for a mouse to access menus. Here is a tip for accessing Windows menus from the keyboard:
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Most of us have a whole lot of techniques for ways to get things done. Roles, goals, next action lists, someday/maybe lists, closed lists, timers, distraction blockers and most-important-tasks are some examples of these. These techniques fill a toolbox, and often times people will bicker about which tool is best. There are some basics points that should be considered:
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I was listening to a friend assess the earlier part of the year the other day, and I felt obliged to stop her. You see, her conversation was peppered with "I should".
