Workplace distractions are for the most part unavoidable, our email is open, our phones (office and cell) are never more than 3 inches away and all this in an effort to get stuff done.
In reading the latest newsletter from Dancing Elephants a recent statistic demonstrated just how bad work place distractions can be, as Laura tells us that "it takes 4.5 hours of unfocused work to equal the output of just one hour of focused work." That's crazy, who wouldn't rather have a 10 hour productive work week, as opposed to a 45-hour week where you get the same amount of stuff done?
Some work distractions we just have to learn to live with, but here are some tips from Laura and from Liberty of how to increase productivity.
- Shut it down: An by "it" we mean the various methods of communication you have open on your computer. Take an hour or two with your email inbox closed, chances are most of the emails didn't need an immediate response. Sign out of skype, and set your cellphone out of eyesight to avoid the urge to pick it up and start texting and replying to everyone.
- We agree with Laura about the Pomodoro technique, there is an app for your Mac, iPhone or iPad that helps you monitor your time. You spend 25 focusing on one task, then you get a short break then start another 25 minute session. We've tried it and found that we're so focused sometime we skip the break and keep working!
- And another great tip from Laura about those working in cubicles: Waive the red flag - If you work in an office or even a cube and can't get away from it, get a red flag and hang it on your door whenever you need to do focused work. Tell everyone in your office that for the 25 minutes the flag is hanging that you don't want to be disturbed for anything, not even a "quick question". There isn't much that can't wait 25 minutes to be handled and many people in your office will even follow your lead and get their own red flag.
Are you a business owner that's concerned about your employees' productivity? There are solutions for any device that can help you manage how your employees spend their time, but you'll have to contact us to find out more about it.
Do you have tips for staying focused at work? Leave them below in the comments. And start enjoying those 10-hour work weeks!
via macrumors.com
It seems obvious that the iPad will be popular in verticals, like education or medical. But for the everyday user, will it be able to replace the daily planner book or moleskin?
I admit it freely, I'm a compulsive list maker. And for being as technically sophisticated as I am, I still have not been able to consistently make myself to put to-dos or rough project plans or notes into a CRM system, or Outlook.
Omni's software excel at list making, planning, brainstorming, diagramming - coupling their sophistication with a readily available user-friendly interface may be what it finally takes to keep me paper free.
Also of note, EverNote (www.evernote.com) is also a great notetaking app that is free!
Have a question? Want to buy Omni Group software - give us a call at 770-229-9424 or visit us on the web at http://www.libertytech.net.
Ben Johnson
via timesoftware.free.fr
Time Machine isn't supposed to even be noticeable, but I definitely can tell when it is backing up. My fans spin up, my hard drive activity increases.
With this free utility you can schedule your time machine backups!
via macrumors.com
iTunes alternative! Tired of slow performance of iTunes.... Want to sync to your phone?
From their site
We feel that just like you don't use a different browser for every web site you visit (Firefox to read the NY Times, IE to stream Hulu, Chrome to browse YouTube, etc) you shouldn't have to use iTunes for Apple products, Nokia software for Nokia phones, Sony software for Sony products, etc. The typical household today has many such devices and there is a need for a simple and powerful software that connects them.
VMware today announced the October 27th launch of VMware Fusion 3, a significant update to the company's virtualization solution that allows Mac users to run Windows applications right alongside OS X applications. The new version reportedly brings over 50 new features and improvements, including Snow Leopard optimization and full Windows 7 compatibility.
Key highlights include:
- Optimized for Snow Leopard. Built from the ground up for the Mac, VMware Fusion 3 leverages Mac OS X Snow Leopard's advanced architecture with a new 64-bit core engine and native support for the 64-bit kernel, delivering even better Windows on Mac performance.
- Ultimate Windows 7 Experience. VMware Fusion 3 will be the first to enable the full Windows 7 experience, side-by-side with your Mac, complete with Windows Aero and Flip 3D.
- Switching Made Easy. VMware Fusion 3 will make it easy for users to bring their entire PC to their Mac in a few easy steps - wirelessly or with a simple Ethernet cable - allowing customers to protect investments in existing Windows software, and to keep using the programs they still need.
- Best-in-Class 3D Graphics. Support for OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3 will enable users to run their favorite 3D Windows games and applications - all without rebooting.
VMware Fusion 3 is now available for pre-order at a suggested price of $79.99, with upgrading pricing of $39.99 available to current VMware Fusion users.
via macrumors.com