I recently took a good look at what was keeping me from accomplishing what I needed to do. After all, I had my goals. I had them written down. I read my affirmations daily. And still, I was not achieving what I wanted to do.
Leaving town was a major undertaking. And that's not good when you're a professional speaker! I need to be able to leave at a moment's notice and arrive ready to give my full attention to my audience. So it was time for a look at what was holding me back. Here's what I found.
1. I used my desktop computer in the office. However, my accounting program and contact databases were on that machine, so my assistant also needed to use it. We sometimes found ourselves waiting for the other person to get off the machine before we could do what we needed to do.
2. I used a 3-lb laptop on the road. Though I rarely used them, I had to pack the CD player and floppy drive, plus the docking bar with the parallel port on it - just in case I needed any of those items.
3. I often found myself without a file I needed or a contact's information. It took me up to an hour or two before I left town each time to decide on and transfer what I needed to my laptop, then another 30 minutes or more when I returned to update my desktop with all I had worked on while I was gone.
4. I had an early 2MB Palm V that could not hold any e-books and did not sync with my Outlook calendar and contacts. So again, I spent a lot of time copying and pasting information between my desktop or my laptop and my Palm.
In general, things were not working well and the problems were pretty obvious.
Here's how I resolved most of my issues.
1. I bought a new laptop. This is 3 years newer than the other, but it's four times faster and has a larger screen. And while I traded a 3-pounder for a 7-pounder, my new laptop has a built-in floppy and a built-in CD burner. That means all the pieces are with me all the time. And with the CD burner, I can back up data quickly or move it to another computer easily - very nice when you need to use someone else's computer!
2. I moved my desktop to another office for my assistant. That means she and I can be working at the same time on the rare occasions I'm in the office - what a concept!
3. I only put the programs I need for my tasks on my laptop. So if I don't think I should be doing it, I didn't load the software. I did not put my accounting program or my databases on my laptop; instead, I'm delegating those tasks to my assistant (another new concept!) If I need to look at anything on those programs, I'll walk into her office and check.
4. I purchased a new color Palm. It's color with lots of memory. Best of all, it syncs with Outlook contacts, tasks, calendar and notes. Plus it uses Word and Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is truly revolutionary! To ensure I have the information I need with me, I put the Palm into its cradle and it automatically syncs everything. No more deciding what to take, then copying and pasting it! I find I'm editing Word documents on the plane, plus I'm getting a lot of the e-books read in airports and sitting alone in restaurants. When I want to create an article from scratch (as I'm doing with this one), I use the keyboard.
In short, my travel life has changed dramatically in the past 2 weeks! And as I walk back into my office this afternoon, I'll pull my laptop out and put it on my desk, then sync it with my Palm. I will have everything with me that I've had on the road for the past 10 days. My assistant's work life won't be interrupted and we'll never lose a beat in getting the job done!
Just the sense of calm and control are worth it. No more frantic transferring of files as I leave. No more waiting to use my computer while she prints invoices for the month. No more... well, you get the idea! I'm thrilled with the make-over!
Do you need to review your productivity? Take this short quiz and see:
1. Do you always have the information you need with you - either on your cell phone, your laptop, and your PDA (personal digital assistant, such as a Palm Pilot or IPAQ)?
2. Are you trying to share a computer with anyone else?
3. Can you get on the Internet as often and as long as you need to?
4. If you need a client file while you're traveling do you have it? Can you get it within 15 minutes - even after hours?
5. If you need to move a file or print a file, so you have a way to do that while you're traveling?
6. Are there tasks that are not getting done? Why? Could it be cured by shifting or adding technology?
Remember: Technology is a tool that works FOR us. If you're working harder and longer because of the technology, it's not working the way it should. Don't put off productivity!
For more on productivity, get Jeanette's special repor "Ten Most Overlooked Productivity Tools" at TechTamers.com
Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with experts who are ready to turn their knowledge and their websites into Gold. Her reputation as a speaker and trainer has earned her the title of The Technology Tamer. Jeanette shares her news and views in OnlineSuccessNews.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
The United States Of America citizen feels that games is... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
Millions have enjoyed recorded music since 1877 when Thomas Edison... Read More
Step 1:Open WinRAR and browse to the folder with your... Read More
In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More
With their solid-state technology, compact size, and abundant memory, portable... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
Each of the items in the checklist below is part... Read More
PDA Medical BenefitsIf you are concerned about your medical history,... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
Cookies, not the kind that Mom makes, but the computer... Read More
Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More
It's hard enough as it is these days to get... Read More
You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0... Read More
What is a Refurbished Computer?Refurbished Computers. Remanufactured Computers. Reconditioned Computers.... Read More
Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More
Buying Your PCBuying a PC that's right for you and... Read More
Although there are many things that can affect the performance... Read More
ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More
In the 1950's and 1960's Polaroid's instant cameras were all... Read More
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More
Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the... Read More
First and foremost before I begin my ranting it is... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
Wouldn't you be shocked to find that your personal sensitive... Read More
If you don't have an mp3 player, and even if... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More
iPod users start to get the picture and it's turning... Read More
For those seeking to buy their first flat panel TV... Read More
MP3 players are everywhere! It seems that the number of... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
One of the most confusing parts of beginning your Cisco... Read More
BIOS - Basic Input Output SystemThe central processing unit of... Read More
Computers are supposed to speed up our productivity?to help us... Read More
I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More
Addressing a D2X Digital SLRCoolpix 8800 search, this article provides... Read More
Peoples' private information needs to stay private, even after it... Read More
It seems like fast never quite rates fast enough.No matter... Read More
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just... Read More
Below you will find some useful information and comments about... Read More
The year is 1981. IBM has just released the Personal... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More
With their solid-state technology, compact size, and abundant memory, portable... Read More
Step 1:Open WinRAR and browse to the folder with your... Read More
Computer is an electronic machine work on the instructions of... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
There are many sources of heat that can raise the... Read More
On 21 August 2003 Symantec Security Response upgraded the W32.SOBIG.F... Read More
When you turn on your computer, does it act like... Read More
A Computer in Your HandCarrying around an address book and... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More
Time is money. And when you constantly have to divide... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
In the first part of this home lab tutorial, CCNA... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
Heading off on vacation soon?Then perhaps you're tempted to take... Read More
Microsoft Certifications are one of the most widely acclaimed, pursued,... Read More
Personal Technology |