Productivity with Purpose
Royale Scuderi
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Posts by Royale Scuderi
Top Picks for Blackberry Apps to Increase Productivity
Sep 2nd
In part 2 in my series highlighting technology tools for productivity I have chosen some highly recommended Blackberry apps. Not a Blackberry user? Check out the related posts for information on tools for other devices. Tools are an indispensible part of your productivity strategy. Choosing the right tool for your needs can be a confusing and somewhat daunting task. The decision must be based on your needs, working style, and level of comfort with technology.
Is there is some particular device or tool you’d like to learn about? Please let me know and I’ll try to report on it.
My picks:
BeReader – Google Reader client that allows you to read your Google Reader feeds on your BlackBerry everywhere you go, even when you do not have network coverage. Easily access, update and manage all of your subscriptions in one place.
BillableGoal – automatically tracks the time and details of your phone calls and emails. It also allows you to create timers and enter time to capture events. All time entries can be exported for input into your traditional billing system. Great for tracking client time! Supported export formats: plain text, sort able HTML, QuickBooks
Evernote – Free, open source note program, but way more than just notes. Evernote allows you to capture thoughts using text notes, voice recordings, photos and web clippings. You can tag notes or separate them into different notebooks. All notes are fully searchable and sync with a companion desktop application is desired.
HootSuite – Coming soon to Blackberry! Hands down my favorite app for every day social media management. Monitor Twitter and Facebook accounts, send and schedule updates, view statistics, watch lists and track keyword searches.
mProductive – is the ultimate ToDo List app that brings your Calendar, Tasks and Memos all together in one place at last. This app makes it really easy to organize everything that’s important to you. Personal priorities, work commitments and follow-ups (Task lists, meetings, appointments, events, notes, memos and reference information) can all be quickly created, conveniently grouped and effectively managed. A must for GTD users.
My Caption Speech to Text – With its Voice-to-Text capability, you get higher productivity and convenience. It synchronizes your e-mails, calendar, SMS text, note, memo and task entries exactly as if you typed them yourself — to your Outlook, Google Apps or to Lotus Notes or BES BlackBerry® Enterprise Server.
Shopper – Shopper is ideal for groceries and just about anything else you need to buy. Organize your lists for multiple stores, track pricing, input coupons, and go!
Vaayoo SocialBox – Interactive suite of social networking, sharing and sync services including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Picassa etc. Easily share photos, videos and audibles from your mobile with your friends on multiple destinations that you can select: Web Communities on www.vaayoo.com, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Picasa emails and phones. You can also receive photo and video updates from them instantly.
Clarify Your Objectives
Aug 31st
Many people confuse goals and objectives and in fact it’s true that the terms are often used interchangeably. I prefer to differentiate between the two for my own purposes and those I work with. Goals are usually more general in nature and less tangible. Objectives tend to be more specific and “visionable.” I think I might have made that word up, but it suits my definition so I’m using creative license here. What I mean by that term, “visionable” is that you can picture the objective in your mind – see it, hear it, taste it and feel it. I like to think of goals as “big picture” ideas. Objectives are more nitty-gritty.
For example, I want to lose 20 pounds by January 1st is a decent goal. It meets all the S.M.A.R.T. requirements. But it’s sort of “flat.” I will lose 20 pounds so that I can fit into my size “whatever” pants, be healthy and run a 5k by January 1st is a better objective. You can almost see yourself wearing your smaller pants and feel the exhilaration of running that race. It is more “real” and therefore much more effective for our purposes. I am not knocking goals, but for today let’s focus on clarifying your objectives instead.
Let’s try another example. I intend to start my own business, replace my income and quit my job by June 1st. Okay.
What does the objective look like?
- What type and form of business?
- What is the real purpose or intention?
- What is the specific amount of income needed?
- What will your work schedule look like?
- What will your work environment consist of? At home or in office?
- Will you have employees?
I intend to start a catering business for parties operating out of my home kitchen by June 1st. I will employ two part time employees and gross $200,000 annually.
Do you see the difference? This objective is much clearer and more “real” to me. This also makes it much more motivating and actionable.
Take a look at each one of your objectives and make sure it is so clear you can almost reach out and touch it!
This is part of an ongoing discussion on my rules to maximize productivity. To read more see Golden Rules of Productivity.
How To Use Feedback To Improve Performance
Aug 27th
Many people do not want to hear opinions or assessments from others about their work and/or life quality. It is an unfortunate part of human nature that we prefer to avoid all potentially negative information in order to insulate ourselves from criticism. Why do we do that? And why do we assume or fear that the feedback will be negative? Maybe it’s the underlying feeling that we are not good enough that is so pervasive in American Society or the habit of only giving feedback when something is wrong. I’m not a psychologist, so I won’t delve into the reasons here (though I have my theories.) The plain fact is that feedback is an often overlooked, yet extremely valuable component of productivity. If used properly it can be an indispensible tool in your productivity arsenal that can give you a competitive advantage over your peers.
Feedback is simply a tool; an instrument if you will for both validation and growth. Be cautious not to attach personal feeling to this information. Keep it in its proper perspective however and only give it the importance it deserves. Feedback is not about you as a person; it is about assessing and improving work or activities that you do.
A few weeks ago, just about when I had started questioning if anybody was listening to me or cared what I had to offer, I received a gift from Ezine Articles that made a significant impact on me. Every individual wonders if they really can do the job and we all need a pat on the back once in a while. The beauty of this gesture was twofold for me: first, it provided validation that I do quality work that does indeed have value in the marketplace; second, it was a great example of how can give appropriate feedback to others with whom I work and live.
With that in mind, let’s talk about how to use feedback properly:
- You must ask for it – Many people just do not think to give feedback or only do so when it’s negative. Make it a regular practice to ask your co-workers, supervisor, clients or customers how you are doing. (You may also consider asking your partner or children if you dare.)
- Listen – It does no good to ask for feedback if you do not really listen with an open mind.
- Filter – Consider the possible bias or perspective of the other person before you decide how much importance to place on their opinions. Do you respect the person’s views? Are they knowledgeable in the specific area? Do you trust them to be honest with you? If not, feel free to disregard them.
- Analyze – If the feedback is positive, how can you use it to continue to improve? Don’t dismiss praise or accolades! If it’s negative, what can you learn from it? Where is there room for improvement? Note: Any feedback that is purely destructive has nothing to offer you and should be ignored. Feedback that is mean-spirited is not useful to anyone.
- Give positive feedback – Learn to offer positive feedback to others. Be honest, thoughtful and constructive in your opinions. Even if your assessment is negative, find a way to offer it coupled with helpful ideas.
Don’t be afraid of feedback or opinions of people whom you value. Use it, bask in it and learn from it. Open your ears and open your mind; grow and thrive.
Do you have any feedback for me? I’m all ears….
