How to Optimize Your Desktop

Does your computer’s desktop look like a jumbled mess or a sleek Ferrari?

The following tips, tricks, and power toys will help you turn your desktop
into a productivity machine.

Sticky Notes

Do you ever find yourself needing to make a quick to-do list or write down thoughts and ideas? Sticker Lite is a free Sticky Notes software that allows you to do just that. Using virtual sticky notes, you can keep all of the information you need to remember right on your desktop.

This productivity tool allows you to drag-and-drop sticky notes anywhere on the desktop.

You can also customize your notes by setting different priority levels: low, normal, and high.

Best of all, you’re not just confined to the desktop. Sticker Lite allows you to easily print your computer sticky notes and take them with you.

Desktop Timers

A timer is one of the best productivity tools you can use. Ever since using a timer to complete my tasks, my productivity has increased by 300%.

My favorite desktop timer is Workrave.

According to the website,

“Workrave is a free program that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program monitors your activity. Using this information, it frequently reminds you to take breaks, and restricts you to your daily limit.”

Like any desktop timer, Workrave can time your tasks and set a countdown for you.

However, it has lots of other cool features as well.

Workrave allows you to set reminders to look away from the screen and walk around every so often. This has been a very useful feature for geeks like me who have a hard time stepping away from the computer.

Workrave allows you to set rest breaks, micro pauses and daily time limits.

This unique program also has exercises that you can do at your desk during breaks.

Find out more about this free software at http://www.workrave.org.

JDarkRoom

This is a very cool application that allows you to write more efficiently by removing all distractions. JDarkRoom gives you an entirely blank page on which to type. This way, you’re not distracted by the web, e-mail, or IM. When you’re done, you can save your work as a text file.

You can try it out for yourself and start saving lots of time.

If you’re using a Mac, then I would suggest Writeroom.

Customize Your folders and desktop icons to easily locate your favorite applications.

Customizing your folders and desktop icons can help you to easily locate your favorite applications.

This way, you’re not stuck with all of those bland, traditional folders.

You can find thousands of free icons at:

• Leo’s Icon Archive
• Crystal Clear
• 130 Fun Desktop Folder Icons

GTD Desktop Backgrounds

Bring GTD to your desktop with GTD desktop wallpaper. This desktop wallpaper will help keep you motivated and focused on Getting Things Done.

If you’ve read David Allen’s bestseller, Getting Things Done, but can’t always remember all of the tips, tricks, and concepts held inside the book, then this wallpaper is the perfect reminder.

Download you own GTD wallpaper at…

• Getting Things Done desktop backgrounds
• Series 2: Getting Things Done desktop backgrounds
• GTD wallpaper!
• 3 more GTD wallpapers!

AutoHotKey

Are you a shortcut junkie? If so, then you’ll love AutoHotKey. This application allows you to script any block of text or sequence of keystrokes to perform repetitive tasks at the push of a button.

It takes a bit of practice to learn to write your own scripts, but once you’re up and running, you’ll speed through your daily activities.

Kim Roach is a productivity junkie who blogs regularly at The Optimized Life. Read her articles on 50 Essential GTD Resources, How to Have a 46 Hour Day, Do You Need a Braindump, What They Don’t Teach You in School, and Free Yourself From the Inbox.