Disorganized?
Lose your to-do lists?
Try as you might, still can't get your act together?
Hey, that's me, too. I'm going to try and help us both here.
I know I could be a millionaire already if I had remembered 10% of the great ideas I've come up with over the years ... yet lacked the organizational skills to follow through on. Or, forgot the idea while driving somewhere or taking care of another task and unable to stop and write it down.
#1: GET GMAIL
If you don't have Gmail yet, I sure don't know what you're waiting for.
We have 18 Gmail accounts in our family of five. Different addresses are used for different purposes. For instance, each of my Squidoo accounts (visit my HQ to see them) has a separate Gmail associated with it.
Okay, so you can have more than one Gmail account per person, and that's handy ... but WHY is "GET GMAIL" my top tip?
INTEGRATION
Blogger, Picasa and Google Earth are a few very popular free services. But, just look at all the services you quickly and easily link to your Google account!
Gmail is just one free Google services of many:
SEARCH TOOLS
Explore and innovate
Communicate, show & share
Go mobile
Make your computer work better
We have 18 Gmail accounts in our family of five. Different addresses are used for different purposes. For instance, each of my Squidoo accounts (visit my HQ to see them) has a separate Gmail associated with it.
Okay, so you can have more than one Gmail account per person, and that's handy ... but WHY is "GET GMAIL" my top tip?
INTEGRATION
Blogger, Picasa and Google Earth are a few very popular free services. But, just look at all the services you quickly and easily link to your Google account!
Gmail is just one free Google services of many:
SEARCH TOOLS
- Alerts - Get email updates on the topics of your choice
- Blog Search - Find blogs on your favorite topics
- Book Search - Search the full text of books
- Checkout - Complete online purchases more quickly and securely
- Desktop - Search and personalize your computer
- Earth - Explore the world from your computer
- Finance - Business info, news, and interactive charts
- GOOG-411 - Find and connect with businesses from your phone, for free
- iGoogle - Add news, games and more to the Google homepage
- Images - Search for images on the web
- Maps - View maps and directions
- News now with archive search - Search thousands of news stories
- Notebook - Clip and collect information as you surf the web
- Patent Search - Search the full text of US Patents
- Product Search - Search for stuff to buy
- Scholar - Search scholarly papers
- Special Searches - Search within specific topics
- Toolbar - Add a search box to your browser
- Video - Search for videos on Google Video and YouTube
- Web Search - Search over billions of web pages
- Web Search Features - Find movies, music, stocks, books, and more
Explore and innovate
- Code - Download APIs and open source code
- Custom Search - Create a customized search experience for your community
- Labs - Explore Google's technology playground
Communicate, show & share
- Blogger - Share your life online with a blog -- it's fast, easy, and free
- Calendar - Organize your schedule and share events with friends
- Docs - Create and share your projects online and access them from anywhere
- Gmail - Fast, searchable email with less spam
- Groups - Create mailing lists and discussion groups
- Orkut - Meet new people and stay in touch with friends
- Picasa - Find, edit and share your photos
- Reader - Get all your blogs and news feeds fast
- SketchUp - Build 3D models quickly and easily
- Talk - IM and call your friends through your computer
- Translate - View web pages in other languages
- YouTube - Watch, upload and share videos
Go mobile
- Maps for mobile - View maps and get directions on your phone
- Mobile - Use Google on your mobile phone
- SMS - Use text messaging for quick info
Make your computer work better
- Pack - A free collection of essential software
- Web Accelerator - Speed up the web
Isn't this a simple, friendly interface?
GMAIL LINKS
- Using Gmail as Your Universal Email Account
- Having a multitude of email addresses, I thought of simplyfing my life and workflow one day. I realized I've been ...
- Using Gmail Labels
- Using labels
- Gmail: Ten ways Gmail makes email easy and efficient. And maybe even fun.
- Gmail Overview
10 reasons to use Gmail
Gmail makes email easy and efficient. And maybe even fun. - Official Gmail Blog
- Gmail blog
#2: GET TOODLEDO
I know that I can do more if I just keep making notes of what I need to do.
My problem is, I lose the notes. I have notes scattered all over the place. I have written notes scrawled one-handed while I'm driving, brief typed notes I email myself, notes in txt msg shorthand that I text myself, notes on the back of envelopes and in notepads that I bought specifically for taking notes IN.
But although I am slightly more likely to remember an idea if I've written it down, I am not utilizing to-do lists the way I should.
Enter Toodledo.
For one thing, you can connect Toodledo to other programs, such as your Twitter (see #4 below), Jott (see #3 below) and Google Calendar or iGoogle page (see #1 above). There is also a FireFox add-on (see #5 below) and several other options to make using Toodledo even simpler.
Why Use a To-Do List?
We all have days with too much to do. It can be overwhelming and stressful to manage our tasks without help. Reduce stress by making a list to keep on track.
Students are often encouraged to use lists as study aids to increase retention of facts.
Don't forget important things: Toodledo them!
Organization
Organizing your tasks with a simple, prioritized list can make you feel more in control, even with a huge list of duties to perform.
Don't skip the planning stage of your day. You'll feel relief and accomplishment as you mark items off your list. It is motivating to track your movement forward!
Improved Memory
Anyone can forget something important, without help.
To-do lists are a great memory aid, and help keep you from losing sight of your goal.
The average person's short-term memory can only hold 7 pieces of information for about 30 seconds.
Keep a list so you can effortlessly keep track of everything that you need to do.
Productivity
You can easily prioritize the most important tasks when they are all on a list. This way, you will waste less time on less important duties and make more productive use of your limited time.
A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, showed that 90% of managers wasted valuable time through poor time management.
A list helps keep you from being distracted by another duty that you might discover while performing something on your list. Rather than let your new discovery interfere with your plan, add it to your list and prioritize as necessary.
Motivation
Use your to-do list as a way to clarify your goals.
Rather than set a vague goal, devise a plan to reach a goal with a list of steps required to succeed.
A few helpful articles on the Toodledo site:
* How to use Toodledo with GTD
* How to use subtasks
* How to share tasks with other people
My problem is, I lose the notes. I have notes scattered all over the place. I have written notes scrawled one-handed while I'm driving, brief typed notes I email myself, notes in txt msg shorthand that I text myself, notes on the back of envelopes and in notepads that I bought specifically for taking notes IN.
But although I am slightly more likely to remember an idea if I've written it down, I am not utilizing to-do lists the way I should.
Enter Toodledo.
For one thing, you can connect Toodledo to other programs, such as your Twitter (see #4 below), Jott (see #3 below) and Google Calendar or iGoogle page (see #1 above). There is also a FireFox add-on (see #5 below) and several other options to make using Toodledo even simpler.
Why Use a To-Do List?We all have days with too much to do. It can be overwhelming and stressful to manage our tasks without help. Reduce stress by making a list to keep on track.
Students are often encouraged to use lists as study aids to increase retention of facts.
Don't forget important things: Toodledo them!
OrganizationOrganizing your tasks with a simple, prioritized list can make you feel more in control, even with a huge list of duties to perform.
Don't skip the planning stage of your day. You'll feel relief and accomplishment as you mark items off your list. It is motivating to track your movement forward!
Improved MemoryAnyone can forget something important, without help.
To-do lists are a great memory aid, and help keep you from losing sight of your goal.
The average person's short-term memory can only hold 7 pieces of information for about 30 seconds.
Keep a list so you can effortlessly keep track of everything that you need to do.
ProductivityYou can easily prioritize the most important tasks when they are all on a list. This way, you will waste less time on less important duties and make more productive use of your limited time.
A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, showed that 90% of managers wasted valuable time through poor time management.
A list helps keep you from being distracted by another duty that you might discover while performing something on your list. Rather than let your new discovery interfere with your plan, add it to your list and prioritize as necessary.
MotivationUse your to-do list as a way to clarify your goals.
Rather than set a vague goal, devise a plan to reach a goal with a list of steps required to succeed.
A few helpful articles on the Toodledo site:* How to use Toodledo with GTD
* How to use subtasks
* How to share tasks with other people
An example of a short Toodledo list
TOODLEDO LINKS
- Toodledo :: Why Use a To-Do List?
- An easy to use, web-based to-do list. Get organized, stay motivated, and be more productive.
- Toodledo :: Getting Things Done (GTD)
- Getting Things Done (GTD) is a method for organizing tasks so that you can focus your entire energy and creativity on completing those tasks in a stress free manner.
- Toodledo :: Explanation of Subtasks
- Explanation of Subtasks
Subtasks are a convenient way to organize projects and tasks that have multiple steps. This helps you stay organized and keeps your to-do list less cluttered. - Toodledo :: Collaboration and Sharing
- Collaboration and Sharing
Toodledo makes it easy to collaborate with other people and share your to-do list. When you share your tasks, you have complete control over who has permission to read, edit ... - Toodledo :: Compare Toodledo
- Feature Comparison
This table compares all the major web-based to-do lists. As you can see, Toodledo does everything they do plus more. - Toodledo :: A to-do list to organize your tasks
- An Environmentally Friendly Website
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated ...
#3: GET JOTT
One of my biggest problems is I get most of my ideas while I'm driving.
Although texting notes to myself (without looking at what I'm typing) is slightly less dangerous than trying to locate pen and paper and write legibly at 55 MPH, it isn't ideal.
Now that I have Jott, I can simply call my Jott account and speak clearly into the phone my latest notion.
Jott converts my voice to text, and adds the item to my Toodledo list!
I can even set reminders on the fly ... it is awesome!
How you can Jott - In Brief:
Although texting notes to myself (without looking at what I'm typing) is slightly less dangerous than trying to locate pen and paper and write legibly at 55 MPH, it isn't ideal.
Now that I have Jott, I can simply call my Jott account and speak clearly into the phone my latest notion.
Jott converts my voice to text, and adds the item to my Toodledo list!I can even set reminders on the fly ... it is awesome!
How you can Jott - In Brief:- Jott to Self - Send emails to yourself
- Jott Reminders - Get text message and email reminders
- Jott to List - Add items to your to-do list
- Jott to Someone Else - Send emails and texts to your contacts
- Jott to Group - Email and text a group of contacts
- Jott to Link - Send messages to web services
JOTT LINKS
- Jott™ - Jott to Self
- Jott.com: Jott to self. Learn how to use Jott to stay organized on the go.
- Jott™ - How to Jott a Reminder
- Jott.com: Jott to reminders. Use Jott to remember everything.
- Jott™ - How to Jott to Lists
- Jott.com: Jott to lists. Jott helps you stay organized with lists.
- Jott™ - How to Jott to Contacts
- Jott to contacts. Learn how to use Jott to communicate with other people.
- Jott™ - How to Jott to Groups
- Jott.com: Jott to groups. Learn how to use Jott to communicate with groups.
- Jott™ - How to set up Jott Links
- Jott.com: Jott Links. Use Jott to post to your favorite web services
- Jott™ - Jott Links
- Jott.com: Jott Links. Use your voice to send a text or email to web services, like calendars and other productivity and shopping sites.
- Jott Blog
- Jott Blog
#4: GET TWITTER
Check out my Twitter Fun lens for more about this awesome service.
TWITTER FAQ
What is Twitter?
A way to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues through quick comments on your current activity.
How do I use it?
Post a brief comment, limited to 140 characters. Say what you're doing, what's on your mind, how your team is performing.
What is the point?
Find out what your friends are doing, keep in touch with family, find people with like interests!
What do I need to use Twitter?
You'll need a mobile phone or an internet connection.
How can I send updates to Twitter?
You can send updates from the Twitter home page, your mobile phone, or even a third party app (I like TwitterFox).
What does it mean to follow?
If you follow someone, you receive their Twitter updates. You can receive the updates via IM, phone or Web. You can even choose a different notification for each person followed.
Who am I following?
Click the 'Following' link on your Twitter page, or check the profile page of the person you're wondering about.
Who is following me?
Click the 'Followers' link on your Twitter page for a listing.
Can I block someone?
On every profile page, you'll find a 'block' link at the bottom right.
Who reads my updates?
Everyone, if you set your updates to public. Just your followers, if you choose to protect your updates.
How long can my updates be?
Only the first 140 characters will go to phones and IM. If your message is longer, the full version will be viewable only on the Web.
Can I update Twitter from my phone, but not receive other people's updates?
You can add (and verify) your phone, and then set your updates to OFF.
Can I turn updates on for just certain people?
Using the 'follow' and 'off' commands, you can start or discontinue receiving updates for specific users by phone. On the Web, click the following link on their profile page to set notifications.
Can I edit my updates once they've posted to the web?
You can delete, but not edit.
MANY MORE QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT THE TWITTER HELP PAGE.
TWITTER FAQWhat is Twitter?
A way to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues through quick comments on your current activity.
How do I use it?
Post a brief comment, limited to 140 characters. Say what you're doing, what's on your mind, how your team is performing.
What is the point?
Find out what your friends are doing, keep in touch with family, find people with like interests!
What do I need to use Twitter?
You'll need a mobile phone or an internet connection.
How can I send updates to Twitter?
You can send updates from the Twitter home page, your mobile phone, or even a third party app (I like TwitterFox).
What does it mean to follow?
If you follow someone, you receive their Twitter updates. You can receive the updates via IM, phone or Web. You can even choose a different notification for each person followed.
Who am I following?
Click the 'Following' link on your Twitter page, or check the profile page of the person you're wondering about.
Who is following me?
Click the 'Followers' link on your Twitter page for a listing.
Can I block someone?
On every profile page, you'll find a 'block' link at the bottom right.
Who reads my updates?
Everyone, if you set your updates to public. Just your followers, if you choose to protect your updates.
How long can my updates be?
Only the first 140 characters will go to phones and IM. If your message is longer, the full version will be viewable only on the Web.
Can I update Twitter from my phone, but not receive other people's updates?
You can add (and verify) your phone, and then set your updates to OFF.
Can I turn updates on for just certain people?
Using the 'follow' and 'off' commands, you can start or discontinue receiving updates for specific users by phone. On the Web, click the following link on their profile page to set notifications.
Can I edit my updates once they've posted to the web?
You can delete, but not edit.
MANY MORE QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT THE TWITTER HELP PAGE.
XP the Squid Princess
powered by Twitter
TWITTER LINKS
- Twitter / squidprincess
- Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time
- Twitter Support
- People-Powered Support for Twitter
Ask a question, share an idea, or report a problem and get help from the Twitter community:
Active discussions in Twitter - Twitter FAQ
- Frequently Asked Questions about Twitter
- Twitter / freelief
- Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time
#5: GET FIREFOX
It's just the best browser out there.
The add-ons make it simple to access things like the Squidoo Dashboard Extension, or add sites to Del.icio.us and tasks to your Toodledo list -- without leaving the site you're on.
TwitterFox lets you send an update to Twitter without opening another window, and you can switch between Twitter accounts easily if you have different accounts for different groups of friends.
The add-ons make it simple to access things like the Squidoo Dashboard Extension, or add sites to Del.icio.us and tasks to your Toodledo list -- without leaving the site you're on.
TwitterFox lets you send an update to Twitter without opening another window, and you can switch between Twitter accounts easily if you have different accounts for different groups of friends.
FIREFOX LINKS
- Using Firefox - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks
- Using Firefox From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
- Firefox 2
- The award-winning Web browser is now faster, more secure, and fully customizable to your online life. With Firefox 2, we've added powerful new features that make your online experience even better.
What do you think of these tips?
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CleanerLife
Thanks for the free tips, looks like I need some of these :) Posted September 01, 2008 |
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XP
How do you remember to use your to-do list? You can have Jott send you a reminder text message or email for important tasks ... just say YES when asked if you want a reminder after recording a Jott to yourself, and you can easily set a day and time to be reminded. :) Posted April 30, 2008 |
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Dennise_Ryder
Excellent tips and thanks for taking the time to talk a little about each, saves me having to hunt and take the time ... which we never have enough of! Posted April 28, 2008 |
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LauraSchofield
I'm already using Firefox with those add-ons, as well as Twitter, Jott, Toodledo and GMail need to be added in the mix. Great lens! Posted April 27, 2008 |
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nar321
Great tips Posted April 26, 2008 |
