Showing posts with label Little Hacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Hacks. Show all posts

Friday, February 1, 2013

Learn Not To Keep Commitments i.e. Marc Andreeson’s Productivity Secret


Want to spend all day writing a research report? Do it!

Want to spend all day coding? Do it!

Want to spend all day at the cafe down the street reading a book on personal productivity? Do it!

By not keeping a schedule, I mean by refusing  to commit to meetings, appointments, or activities at any set time in any future day. As a result, you can always work on whatever is most important or most interesting, at any time.

When someone emails or calls to say, "Let's meet on Tuesday at 3", the appropriate response is: "I'm not keeping a schedule for 2007, so I can't commit to that, but give me a call on Tuesday at 2:45 and if I'm available, I'll meet with you." Or, if it's important, say, "You know what, let's meet right now."

Clearly this only works if you can get away with it. If you have a structured job, a structured job environment, or you're a CEO, it will be hard to pull off. But if you can do it, it's really liberating, and will lead to far higher productivity than almost any other tactic you can try.

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Monday, April 16, 2012

How to benefit from low productivity after lunch?


This is a first in a new series of posts on increasing productivity.
Do you check emails and facebook updates every five minutes? Are you a ‘crackberry’ addict? Do you needlessly multi-task especially take notes while you surf the net? Do you eat lunch at your desk? Do you make calls while you're driving, and even send the occasional text?
The Productivity Pro (R) logo

By doing so you split your attention, so that you're partially engaged in multiple activities but rarely fully engaged in any one. In part, it's because when you switch away from a primary task to do something else, you're increasing the time it takes to finish that task by an average of 25 per cent.
Tony Schwartz the well-known authority on productivity says-

I get 2-3 times as much writing accomplished when I focus without interruption for a designated period of time and then take a real break, away from my desk. The best way for an organization to fuel higher productivity and more innovative thinking is to strongly encourage finite periods of absorbed focus, as well as shorter periods of real renewal.
Simply by avoiding technology distractions you can achieve higher productivity. So, this is what I suggest you do.
Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...
Image via CrunchBase

  •  Try to check your emails and Facebook during low productive times especially after lunch in the afternoon specifically 2 and 3.
  • Try scheduling your calls during this time using your mobile voicemail service. Ask your colleagues and manager to co-operate with you if possible.
However, do not make your manager and colleagues an excuse for not trying as much as you can on your own to avoid technological distractions.

Remember, a habit usually takes about three weeks to stick and become routine. 

With a little bit of discipline you should be able to accomplish your first task easily.

Good Luck!

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Thursday, March 8, 2012

Three ways to send free International SMS Text or MMS reliably


SMS: Text Messaging Gets Redesigned

A lot of services allow you to send free SMS from your desktop or your mobile phone. But how do you make sure that the SMS has reached the recipient for sure? Is it always reliable all the time? I’m going to suggest three options which will allow you to send SMS anywhere in the world for free and you no longer have to worry about whether they reach the recipient or not. I have tested all the services recently and made sure they work before writing this post.

1. Skebby

I recommend Skebby because I have tested it in Libya and India. Once you register online, you will receive a code on your mobile, wherever you are, whatever your mobile number is. Use the code to complete the registration process and enjoy free sms from Skebby. Skebby is not an unlimited free service though. But it allows you to send upto 10 SMS everyday for free to any country or mobile number of  your choice along with a delivery report.

Skebby offers a web based free sms service subject to the following conditions:

·         1 Free SMS: every day without registration
·         5 Free SMS: as soon as you sign up and verify your number from web.
·         10+ free SMS: if you invite your friends.

You can use the skebby icon on the right to go to the website.


2. Gmail SMS service

Gmail SMS service is free and unlimited but available only in certain contries and mobile operators. That’s why it is my second option. You can send SMS messages to your contacts’ mobile phones using Gmail Chat.

In order to use this feature you have to enable the SMS (text messaging) in from the Labs feature provided under Gmail settings.  More information on sending SMS from Gmail
Image representing Gmail as depicted in CrunchBase


The following mobile operators are supported.
India-

United States
·         All operators

Click here for a full list of supported operators

3. Textmefree

Textmefree  is not a international sms service but a directory of free sms providers. There are a lot of great country-specific SMS providers you can find here. This is how you can use the service:

  • Decide which country you are sending a free SMS to.
  •  Find a free SMS service for that country using the SMS Search box or search by continent.
  • Choose a service from our directory by reading the reviews and user comments
  • Top Rated SMS Sites & Messaging Apps- Find out here
 Bonus

The Skebby app for your mobile phone lets you send free sms directly from your mobile phone to other Skebby users once you've downloaded it to your mobile using your mobile internet service. 

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Best Solution To Clean Laptop Or Any Electronic Device- Use Wet Tissue

MSI laptop computer

Yes that’s right. Most cleaning liquids contain dangerous chemicals that can harm the screen or spoil or even destroy the metallic surfaces. So the safest and cheapest way is to-

  • Take a wet tissue dipped in water preferably bottled water (free of calcium deposits) and gently wipe the surface of your laptop. Within a minute or two your screen should as good as new.
  • Wipe the tissue particles left on the screen with another dry tissue.
  • You can do the same for your keyboard or any other electronic surface.
  • You could also try using non-cotton cloth to wipe the screen regularly.

Note- It is best to switch off the device before you clean them. You should only wet your tissue, not soak it!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

How to get the right picture on India in under 15 minutes?

English: India Gate

Do you have to prepare for an interview? Are you going for a meeting in the morning? How can you contribute better and impress your interviewer or your boss?You need not waste valuable time trying to get the best news on India. Get an edge over the competition simply by spending 15 minutes of your time.

Television news sensationalises too much and whenever there is a breaking news it tends to focus on just one event. Therefore I have listed the four best online newspaper sources to get a quick 360 degree global view on India from a local as well as an international perspective.

How To Add Privacy Search Engines To Your Browser?

Image representing Duck Duck Go as depicted in...
Image via CrunchBase
Given below are instructions to integrate privacy search engines like DuckDuckGo and Google Encrypted Search into your browser.

Adding DuckDuckGo Privacy To Your Browser
  
Firefox Users-

Use the following link