We all have specialties in what we do, and this results in similar projects, or projects with similar steps. For example, I implement Content Management Systems using Drupal. For each CMS implementation project, there are sub-projects …..
Read the full entry at idonny.com
I updated to the latest iPhone OS (3G) and for the past few days, the phone has been behaving in a way that is uncharacteristic of an Apple device… often,
I am attributing this to the OS cause since multi-tasking is not possible on the iPhone (except with Apple apps - phone, ipod, recorder), the issue must be in the OS since there is no one secondary app that could be running in the background in all the above situations except an Apple App
Naturally, the most common remedy for me is to shut down and restart the phone - a pain if you depend on the a dependable device !!
Things sold to customers for money are often listed as one of the above. It is relatively easy to distinguish products from services:
Here is an attempt to define the terms in context: http://idonny.com/analysis/definition-products-services-solutions
Most of use welcomed the GUI/Graphical User Interface kind of life when it because the norm… OK, remember the first time you used Windows (after using MS-DOS or PC-DOS or worse, Unix Shell)? that is the relief that I am talking about.
Here is the complete idea: http://idonny.com/analysis/drush-drupal-shell
I have been using Worketc.com for all manner of business management functions and I can say with some conviction that the support they provide is unique. Granted, there are quite a number of features and flow issues in the application, but it does what it claims to do. The focus of this article is on the fact that the company can be described as agile and responsive to customers’ needs, comments, and other feedback.
For instance, I most recently explained that their activity calendar needs to use visual aids (mini-icons) to identify various types of entries (tasks, timesheet entries, events, tickets etc). The support was not only swift and relevant, but I did not have to deal with a long chain of approval back & forth decisions. This being a common-sense recommendation, the recommendation was taken into account and implemented within three (3) days.
Bravo!!
I have been putting more and more conscious interest in procrastination as a context of productivity. Consciously I say to make it clear that I am not procrastinating (at least not admitting it), but actually examining why I procrastinate to enable me to know how to cure the problem. I decided to listen to the recently updates podcast from this Canadian professor in the farm “iProcrastinate” and I am liking what I hear - a deeply academic and psychological review of procrastination, why we do it, and what we can do to prevent it from handicapping us.
I have been using GTD as much as possible for the past 10-12 months, and I must say that it did/has done a great deal to rid me of the cloud in my head and provide me with a way to chart my tasks. I have however gotten to the point where some tasks just stay on my to-do list for ever since I say to myself (as someone related to davidallenco.com said) “You do not have to do them, just knowing what you need to do and choosing not to do it is good enough”.
Recently, I stumbled upon ZTD and decided the book/audio-book: The Power of Less by Leo Babauta. I have begun seeing things in a new way. I often listed to the “GTD Studygroup” podcast (where Leo was interviewed and I thus stumbled upon his work), and they have always talked about mind-mapping, lists etc. But by reading Leo’s book, I now see the sense of making that mind-map. I can actually determine what projects and actions add to my life-goals, and which ones are just busy-stuff that I can cut out for a simpler life.
After listening to the book, and actually while listening to it for the third time this morning, I was able to stop putting off some unpleasant activities and get to them. I cleaned a ladder that has been laying on the porch, moved some logs into a shed for curing (that will enable the family to sit around a fire and share some good time). I hope that I am just not excited about the ideas, and will carry them on for the long-haul and improve the way I do things.
By the way, this is in line with Leo’s recommendation to select MITs (Most Important Tasks) for each day and make sure those are done. I will talk about how I select MITs for my work and home projects in another post
When marking items as “done” the older format was easier to use before the latest (1.6). Now that items disappear immediately and the list moves, sometimes I end up completing the wrong items because of the list reorganisation. Also, if I complete something and then want to undo the “don”’ status, I now have to go find it under projects or stop what I am doing and do a text search….
At least if they had given the action a 5 or 10 second delay, that would be working better
I am considering buying this book/audiobook by Neil Fiore, but I have decided not to because most of the reviews on iTunes say that the narration leaves quite a lot to be desired and is generally boring. I tend to pick Audio-books because I am not a fast reader and cannot sit still (unless I am captive in a waiting room) enough to read a long book.
Needless to say, I am working on fixing my procrastination and finally getting stuff completed promptly. This is an issue with my home tasks as I tend to find more interesting things to do until the last minute.
I will keep looking for a similar book with better narration, or hold off until the audio-book is re-recorded…. I also see a number of reviewers complaining about a missing PDF and referring to it being available at “Audible”. It is surprising to me that Apple does not vet audio-books on sale on iTunes as much as it fusses over iPhone Apps.
After implementing GTD and discovery that I am overcommitted, and maybe too ambitious, I am now working on simplifying my life to only do what I need to do. Yes, there are some nice projects, some of them now realistically in “Someday Maybe” and “Stalled”, but maybe these items should be thrown-out all together.