My Window To The World…

Not unlike many of you, I guess, yours truly is also still struggling when it comes to productivity.

And clutter is all part of it…

Clutter in the living room. Clutter in the bedroom. Clutter on the office desk. Clutter in the brain, etc. etc. etc.

Merlin Mann (the guy behind 43 Folders) has a great new and inspiring series: “War On Clutter”.

Go check it out and let Merlin’s words kick you up the [censored].

© Patrice Schneider. No reproduction without prior written consent.

Technorati Tags: Unclutter, Merlin Mann, 43 Folders

Whether you already are self-employed, about to open your own business, organizing an event with friends, or working freelance: a written job description is a helpful tool.

I have been self-employed for five years now, running one main business and a few other things I am hoping to build on in the future. I only took the time to write my job descriptions (a separate one for each business) last year. I feel it has helped me focus.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine asked me to recode her website, change the product photographs, and update the text (that she would provide me with). I explained to her that I wanted to do all the tasks in one go, since that would be the most productive way for this project. The instructions from both sides could not have been clearer, so we agreed on a price. Shortly after she found out that she would be featured in a magazine, so she wanted some new pictures up immediately and the text on the index page updated, later some more photographs from her new collection added as soon as it was available. And I still had not received the text updates. I explained to her that the price she was paying was already a bargain, and that I would not do any extra work at no additional cost. Job description was in place, but had not been written down. Her interpretation of things was different to mine. Kind of goes back to my post re “Perceptions”.

Two acquaintances and I organized a few events this year, but they were not interested in sitting down and writing their own job descriptions. I wanted to be involved in those events, even though I did know then that resigning from our collective would be the smart thing to do. Needless to say, all people involved ended up disagreeing on who was in charge of what, who was entitled to which percentage of the profits, etc. (I might go into this matter in another post some time.) You live and learn.

Now working on other events with a new collective. Job descriptions are in place, plus other details of course, so there can be no argument since it is all available in black on white. And not written in the beautiful language (not) of legalese.

© Patrice Schneider. No reproduction without prior written consent.

Technorati Tags: Lifehacks, Self Employment, Freelance, Food For Thought, GTD, Getting Things Done, Job Description, Job Descriptions

By far one of my favourite blogs out there is Steve Pavlina’s.

Don’t we all struggle at times with developing new habits? I certainly do.

In his article 30 Days To Success, Steve Pavlina outlines a helpful way of tricking your mind into possibly finding it easier to develop new habits.

Technorati Tags: Steve Pavlina, Habits, New Habits, GTD, Getting Things Done, Lifehacks, Lifehacker

After getting up in the morning, it usually takes me a while to get going. My brain does not properly function for at least an hour or two. Maybe even three…

I have recently started writing down a schedule/plan for the coming day, which has helped tremendously.

With the limited early-morning brain power, I just go on autopilot, look at the list, and do what it says. Still find it hard to believe just how well it works for me.

© Patrice Schneider. No reproduction without prior written consent.

Technorati Tags: Lifehacks, Productivity, Lifehacker, GTD, Getting Things Done

The computer is a great tool. The internet is awesome.

Yet somehow they can also be very distracting - especially if, like me, you sometimes struggle to stay focussed.

So, my productivity tip number one: unless totally necessary, do not switch your computer on. (And do ask yourself more than once “Do I really have to switch it on now?”) In my case, the results have been amazing.

© Patrice Schneider. No reproduction without prior written consent.

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Technorati Tags: Lifehacks, Productivity, Attention Span, GTD, Getting Things Done

I will in the future definitely write some posts regarding financial (and other) matters when co-operating with people.

Today let me just tell you: whenever anyone offers you money (that you are now or in the future entitled to), do not hesitate, but take it.

A couple of years ago, a guy I knew was supposed to move in with me and share my house for two months. January I paid the rent, and told him to pay the rent for February (directly to the landlord), since I knew I would be abroad. He said he was okay with that, but would also not have a problem paying his share for January on the spot.

After just ten days, he moved out, because he found a more conveniently located place. I told him that we had agreed on two months, but that I would be nice and charge him for the first month only. He felt insulted and could not understand why he should pay for one month. (When we had agreed to two months!)

To this day, I have not seen the money. Had I taken his January share, he would have had to make me understand why I should partially refund him. Now I have to waste time and energy to get the money that he owes me.

The importance of writing a contract when dealing with other people is a topic to be covered at a later date.

© Patrice Schneider. No reproduction without prior written consent.

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Technorati Tags: Money Matters, Lifehacks, Food For Thought