Taking a look at the tools and processes different people actually use in their day to day lives. By asking 5 basic questions, we get a glimpse into the way a variety of individuals use their systems and see what works and what doesn’t. In this episode, editor of lifehack.org, Dustin Wax. The Trial by Fire…

Taking a look at the tools and processes different people actually use in their day to day lives. By asking 5 basic questions, we get a glimpse into the way a variety of individuals use their systems and see what works and what doesn’t. In this episode, founder and editor of lifehack.org, Leon Ho. The Trial…

We spend a lot of time researching, trying, and reading about methods, processes, tools, and techniques to make us more productive and efficient. The problem is that many of these tools and processes work well in theory, but don’t integrate well into our real-world workflow. I began to wonder what other people use in their own…

This post is part of the Trial By Fire Productivity series. “True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed.” ~ Tom Robbins This wasn’t the entry I expected to post this week. Last week the death rattle of…

This post is part of the Trial By Fire Productivity series. I plan in my head. Back when I was getting started as a freelance designer, I waited tables to help pay the bills. I was one of those waiters that kept orders in his head. I never wrote them down, and very rarely made…

This post is part of the Trial By Fire Productivity series. The first thing that came apparent was the need to define my time. I had to do this in a way that was both flexible and clear. The only productivity/time management tools I kept are Google Calendar, my Miquelrius spiral grid notebook, and…

Launching a new project is extremely time-consuming. It’s at these times I begin to learn how effective my productivity process and tools really are. Since creating a 36-hour day is out of the question, the next best thing is making the hours you have more productive. Enter tools and processes. The thing is, you can never…

Many times we keep doing things that aren’t working any more. As creatures of routine, we take a process, belief, or plan and continue to follow it long after it’s served its purpose. It becomes a habit – one that may not fit us very well. Sometimes it’s out of commitment. Other times laziness or indifference…

“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” ~ Wayne Gretzky Think about this… If you could predict the future, your productivity would skyrocket. The biggest hurdles to productivity are interruptions, distractions, and unknowns. No matter how many tools you use, lists you…

When was the last time you had a good conversation with yourself? I mean a full-on, I’m a crazy person, talking out loud, discussion with yourself? You actually talk to yourself all the time. Most of it is subconscious, and a lot of it is negative and cautionary. But what about taking the time to really…

“Always remember that you are at least 50% smarter than computers. Computers know ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ but we know ‘maybe.’” – John Pironti When it comes to where you direct your energy, it involves just three simple answers – yes, no, or maybe. Think about it. Every decision you make – voluntary or otherwise, involves…

It’s winter time here in the U.S. Parts of the country are covered with snow and ice, and getting going in the morning can be tough. Part of the morning ritual of a lot of folks during the winter is warming up the car. It may be covered with ice, or just plain cold, and…

When it comes to thinking about projects – do you spend more time building them up in your mind or breaking them down? When you put up a rig for a show – props, a speaker rack, or a large projection screen for example – thinking ahead about the strike can impact how you…

Back in November, I posted an Excel spreadsheet that I sometimes use for making simple decisions. Though pretty basic, it always worked well for me. Well, Lucy over at lucylou.info took the idea and expanded on it, making a pretty cool workbook that she calls, the Ultimate Pros and Cons Excel Workbook: But what…

A lot has been written about the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Evidence suggests that sleeping on a problem can help generate new insight into a solution. I discovered a trick about 12 years ago that has served me well – and I’ve recommended it many times, to clients, friends, and family…