How Taking Pictures Improves Productivity

They say 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. But is a picture worth a thousand seconds of your time too? Let us see how taking pictures can save your time and improve productivity. Today, almost everyone uses camera-equipped cell-phones, so clicking pictures as and when we want to is not a hassle.

Instead of Jotting Down Notes
At a meeting when something is being discussed on the whiteboard, people tend to juggle their concentration between hearing what is being said and jotting down points in their notebook. Thus they end up paying incomplete attention to what is being said which harms their chances of displaying their true potential to the seniors. It might be a better option to actively listen to and participate in the discussion rather than writing. After the meeting is over, click a couple of pictures of the whiteboard for your own retention.

Names and Faces
For someone like me who is really bad at recollecting faces and names, photographing people is a great way to remember them. Just ask them to pose, click their pic and save yourself the embarrassment of trying to remember the other person's name when he suddenly struts across to greet you.

Details
Instead of remembering certain intricate details (say, a contact detail, railway registration number or a flowchart etc) it is better to click a photograph. We anyway remember a lot more by seeing than we do by reading or writing.


To-Do List
Instead of carrying your To-Do List on scraps of paper, it may be a better idea to write it down somewhere and then photograph it. You may lose bits of paper but not your phone.

Let loose the shutterbug in you! It might even make you artistic ;-)

Four Ways To Improve Your Online Productivity

Often when I sit down to write or design my blog, I find myself aimlessly wasting my time on Facebook and YouTube instead of actually working. There was a point in time when I had gotten so hooked onto these websites that I would end up spending hours on it at a stretch.

If something similar happens with you and you find yourself browsing unnecessary websites when you ought to be working, then read on...

Some really basic but very effective ways to keep your focus on work while you are online:

1) Block "time-waster" websites
I am talking about Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the like. Whichever website you waste most of your time on, simply block it. There are some basic tricks that can block websites, depending on your web browser. You can read more about these methods here. Once your work is done, unblock them.

2) Time yourself
Before you sit down to work on your computer, give yourself a time limit. If you are working on a large project, break it into smaller tasks and set deadlines for these smaller tasks. It helps keep your focus and discourages idle time wasting. Download an app that lets you set a countdown timer and use it every time you sit down to work online.

3) Set alarms
Similarly, you could also set alarms at short intervals so that you do not involuntarily lose yourself in the fascinatingly addictive and alluring world of online browsing.

4) Make time for "time-waster" websites
When the mind is not relaxed, there is a greater tendency to let loose and chat, browse and watch videos. Social networking is not a curse. However, it should be used sparingly. So allow yourself time after work to indulge in these pleasures and thereby help keep your mind more at peace :-)

If none of these work, stick a big picture of your boss right next to your screen. That will surely work wonders.

How To Avoid Facebook and Other Social Networking Websites.

Blocking Techniques for Internet Explorer and Firefox: http://www.delete-computer-history.com/how-to-block-a-website.html
Google Chrome: http://www.guidingtech.com/3431/block-certain-websites-in-chrome-web-filter/

Time Management and Technology

Technology is often the reason why you waste time - the most obvious example being social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace etc.
But you can learn to use technology to help manage your time better too. Let us see how.


You can use your cell phone to make your To-Do-Lists. It not just gives you a complete record of things done and yet to be done, but it also allows you to put reminders, notes and alarms to ensure that you do not forget to do your important tasks.


There are a number of Goal-Setting softwares and websites you can use that not only help you break your goals into smaller achievable units but also help you to monitor your progress regularly. I will soon come up with my own set of recommended such websites and softwares.


Set timely notes or inspirational quotes in your mobile phone, computer, PDA etc that will keep you motivated on your path to success. For example, you can set up a new quote everyday on your cell phone that you may see every morning when you get up.


Try avoiding going for meetings as much as possible. Use e-mail, chat, text messaging and phone calls as much as possible. When someone requests you to meet him/her, always ask yourself these Three Questions:


1. Is it beneficial to meet this person?
2. Can this work not be done through e-mail, phone, chat etc?
3. If there is no way out but meeting this person, can I call him/her to the my office/home at the time that is most convenient for me?


If none of these options work out,then go meet this person but do ensure that you do not forget to do your list of daily tasks.
Warning: Do not make your self a social recluse.


These are some of the ways you can befriend technology to your advantage.
Cheers!