Productivity 101

I have a week off, it’s great. Lots of time to spend with my family. Doing family things, not work things. I have restarted this blog just this last couple of days and ideas and things to write about are running through my mind almost 24/7.

One of the great benefits I have started to experience after starting with Getting Things Done is the idea of always having an UCD aka Ubiquitous Capturing Device. Most of the time I carry two, a digital one and a analog one. The digital one is my Treo 680 mobile phone. It is running Palm OS that I have been using for a lot of years now. I have a little Desk Accessory installed, called TodoDA. With just one button click I can enter a task really quickly.

Within seconds the idea is from my mind into my trusted system. I use this one most of the time. For brainstorming and when I am at my desk and ideas start to pour in, I use a simple notepad and a pencil.

To give you an idea, only today during a lovely visit to a railroad museum with a nice dinner after the visit I collected more than a dozen things. They just pop up and now they are in my system. About three of the ideas of today are actually ideas for topics to write about here, so stay tuned.

written by Fokke \\ tags: GTD, Personal

A new year, many people have written down their resolutions for 2008. I also have written down some resolutions. Because of the fact that many people fall of the resolution bandwagon in about two weeks here are some tips that have helped me stick to my resolutions:

1. Keep them small.

I tend to make my resolutions small, this really helps me keep them. If you have a big resolution this year, make sure you have a couple of small ones too.

2. Be specific!

Excercise more won’t work. I will take a walk three times a week for at least 30 minutes is specific enough so you can measure it.

3. Write them down.

Stick them to your calendar and make sure you get reminded of your resolutions. Believe it or not, writing them down really increases the success rate.

4. Reward yourself.

Most of the times we are way to harsh on ourselves. Give yourself a treat when you have kept your resolution. Spoil yourself with something.

5. Accept failure.

Don’t quit when you fail. Just regroup and try again. Don’t wait a full year to try again.

written by Fokke \\ tags: Personal

I went to two weddings yesterday. At one wedding I was reminded of a discussion I have every now and then about the texts of newer worship songs. To some they are shallow and not as deep as traditional hymns. Well, the bridegroom of one wedding yesterday lost his mom two months ago. One of the songs we sung during worship included these lines:

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Seeing that guy with his hands in the air singing these lines to the Lord brought tears to my eyes. End of discussion!

written by admin \\ tags: Personal