Posted on August 29th, 2009 by Kristin
There are a zillion productivity tools on the market that are designed to help you beat overload and get more done each day.
Some of the solutions are high-tech, some are lower-tech. Some are better for big companies, others are good for small companies and families.
On balance, here are the things we couldn’t live without:
List Manager
Some we like are Evernote, Remember the Milk and Toodle-Do. A small ring binder with tabs works too, but there’s no sync/backup that way!
Shared Calendar
We like electronic calendars because they’re quick and easy to update, share with others and carry around (handheld sync). Google calendar and Microsoft Exchange are our favourites.
A Good Handheld Device
Our choices are Blackberry or iPhone for calls, email, SMS, calendar, electronic lists, access to online apps and music/white noise. Remember that these gadgets have off switches, voice mail and autoresponders. YOU are in control.
Integrated Email/Task Manager
Microsoft Outlook or Entourage – configured well and used wisely, these are fantastic. Out of the box and without a smart system, they’re just big, dumb email programs
Project Management Tools
We love Mind Manager (for whole brain thinking and collaborative planning) and Teamwork (linear but brilliant platform for driving action).
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Posted on August 29th, 2009 by Kristin
It’s time to get the kids launched for a new school year. As kids grow, your systems and routines must grow as well so you can keep up with busier schedules and heavier homework loads.
To help you stay on top of everything with minimal stress, here’s what we consider to be 5 essential areas to have sorted:
Family Calendar
There should be one master calendar into which all those important dates for the family get entered. We strongly recommend doing this electronically so you can quickly get the dates onto both parents’ calendars with one click. If you have a combo of PC and Mac machines in your family, set up a Google calendar and sync in the cloud – to computers and handhelds all in one go. We can help you with this – just call 2869 9687.
Family Time Map
This is a colour-coded grid showing everyone’s regular appointments, especially relevant for after school and weekend activities. Print it out and hang it on the fridge or a pinboard for everyone to see. Parents, kids and helpers should all know how to read this in order to plan and pack for the next day and discuss occasional changes to the usual schedule.
Entryway
Be sure you and the kids have clearly established places for them to put away their backpacks, lunch sacks, water bottles, activity equipment, sweaters and so on. Designate baskets, hooks, shelves, drawers and cupboards for the various items. For the first couple of weeks, be sure you and/or your helper stand near the front door as the kids come in so you can guide the unpacking process. Shouting doesn’t work; guided practice does.
Kids’ Workspaces
Make sure each child has an ergonomically-sound, pleasant workspace in which to complete homework. This doesn’t have to be a fancy desk in the bedroom. In fact, we prefer to see this happening in a family room/lounge or shared family study so everyone can be closely connected and productive together. All sorts of problems develop when kids are sent off on their own to try and get their homework done. It’s really not the way to go.
Meal Planners
Take a few minutes to write up a list of 10 snacks and 10 lunches your kids like. (Big hint – do this with them if you want the food to be eaten!) Do the same for a month’s worth of family dinners if you’re feeling really ambitious. Print it off each weekend and highlight what you’ll have that week for whoever does the grocery shopping. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.
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Posted on August 27th, 2009 by Kristin
Posted on August 22nd, 2009 by Kristin
Working with a client to organise his office yesterday we came across HK$1200 in cash.
…Oh, and HK$200,000 in receipts for expenses he can claim back.
That’s about US$26,000. Pretty good ROI for a 2-hour organising session.
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Posted on August 11th, 2009 by Kristin
“How does information overload impact you?” That’s the question Jonathan Spira, chief analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm, asked senior executives at companies including IBM, NBC, Research in Motion, and Siemens, among others. The answers may surprise you.
Filed under: Focus, Info-Overload | No Comments »
