Time delay: using technology to become efficient with your time

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Since I started at school, I had to fight my procrastination. Sometimes it almost feels like a disease; one is treatable, but just never seems to go away. From my bad procrastination I decided systems like GTD, calendar and scheduled and blocked all the time, reminders for important tasks and due dates "dinging" from everywhere. What I found that if I'm on top of my game and choosing to be productive, I easily fall back into the pit where there is no time delay, never "essence".

I've read quite a few books and essays on psychological consequences and the causes of delay. Something interesting that has stuck with me — the book procrastination by Jane b. Burka (not an affiliate link) with the "procrastinators" perceive and interact over time. According to Burka, there are two ways that we do and understand time: objectively and subjectively. The purpose of being "measured by a clock and calendar, and predictable where both subjective time is measured by our own personal understanding and is out of time.

As you can see if your personal subjective, not objective time lining up in the world, you can have some serious questions, especially when your boss, your professors and your spouse tend to build everything from objective time.

I have this problem with objective time and after reading through the delay decided to break his, using several different techniques when it came to my "time management skills, or lack thereof.

Some bright person once said, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it", and that is quite true with your time. The first thing I had to do to figure out how I'm using my time track almost everything. For example, I found myself being late for work in the morning and always blamed it on something external; as winter weather, traffic, how long it took to produce gas in the first half, etc, it wasn't until I started keeping track of how long it actually took me to take a shower and get out of the House did I understandthat I need to get about 20 minutes earlier. It sounds silly, I know, but someone who thinks they understand when and where it goes, it takes thoroughly monitored in real world, to understand it.

You can track your time in different ways, but some of the best applications that I've found for Android and iPhone are great when you're on the run and you want to get some quick statistics for planning. There are a ton of options on both platforms, but in the free category I'd go with eternity and time Lite for iPhone and aTimeLogger record time-schedule and time tasks application track for Android. All these offers the user the ability to track multiple actions, create your own categories and reports and statistics, they can use to help you understand just where there is time.

You can also track the use of your time on your PC or Mac with RescueTime. RescueTime monitors what applications you primarily spend their time and can give you a realistic view of where your time machine.

One of the most elusive ways that procrastinators time and not abuse their subjective time synchronization in objective time underestimate how long it takes to complete a task. I told my many software project managers past and present that, when they ask software developer, how long will it take to get that done they tend to multiply their responses to two or three to set realistic expectations. Many of us are confident (sometimes too) and not realistic time constants.

This is where to start a task or project blocking time immediately and then the rest of it is a great way to balance time. The idea is simple, when a task or project, in order to complete, to jump in and start working on it for 25 minutes. This allows you to understand how big of a task or the project is to make realistic forecasts on how long it will take to complete. This is a subjective time synchronization with an objective time. Then you can lock the project time.

Time locks, the idea of blocking a certain number of times on a calendar for a task or project around forever and works well if you have a realistic picture of how long something will take to complete. After running your task or project, take your favorite calendar application and start a "block" time in your schedule to complete the task. Usually if I think something will take 2 hours, I blocked 2.5 total hours. This gives me some stops and starts. I also propose blocking of only 50 minutes at a time to prevent burning. It seems that 50 minutes and 10 minutes of rest/game where you are in the working period is ideal.

When it comes to common timers for PC or Mac, I highly recommend FocusBooster. This is an Adobe Air, technology challenges, Pomodoro time but you can use it to set your working hours on a task or project. For calendars, I must confess that I only use Google calendar for all my calendar needs, everywhere I go, and it can sync for just about any device I want. This is not to say there is a bunch of good options calendar there, it's just that Google Calendar meets all my needs to date.

Understanding how to synchronise your subjective and objective world can save a lot of pain in your personal and professional life. But if you're anything like me you will need help in how to understand where the time goes. Hopefully, if you understand the difference between your "internal clock" and the real world, track how long it takes you and think how long it would take more realistically accomplish something, and plan accordingly, you can say goodbye to tape out of your time.

Chris is a developer, writer, tech enthusiasts and husband. He is studying, MIS and computer science from Penn State Behrendt. Chris was also interested in personal productivity and creativity and how to use technology to get more things done. Check out his technique of writing at androinica.com where he writes about Android.

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Performance and the art of war: Sun Tzu's teachings for business

Pioneering work "art of war, Sun Tzu was cited for thousands of historians, military tactics, and world leaders. In fact, this book is still recommended reading for United States Marine Corps. This timeless advice, I found one simple question: How can we apply the principles of war, Sun Tzu to our modern purpose to improve performance?

1. personal responsibility

Sun Tzu said: "If the words are clear and commands differs if orders are not careful, then, is to blame."

The bottom line: If you communicate poorly, any problems caused by unclear communication, your fault. Verify that every e-mail and chat, you have clear and distinct.

An important result of this aphorism is important to bear in mind: "but if his orders were clear, and the soldiers did not obey, the wines of their officials. If other people, hamper performance, take decisive action.

2. Maintain your cool

Sun Tzu said: "Disciplined and quiet, to await the appearance of chaos and hubbub among enemy: – this is the art of preserving self-possession '.

The bottom line: the fastest way to lose productivity is to lose your cool. Take a deep breath and think before acting hastily. If you can keep your wits about you in the face of crisis, it will serve you well.

An important quote that refers to this concept: "do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Not to interfere with the army that returns home. "Staying productive and staying Professional are the same. Never lose your cool with your peers or bosses. At least not where he could get back to them.

3. be prepared

Sun Tzu said: "The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not a, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. "

The bottom line: do your utmost to produce, because it's only a matter of time until something goes wrong. If you have a daily schedule, working two days in advance to give yourself into the buffer. Take initiative to track trends in your Department, so that when your boss asks you to compile a report already work. Think of all the possible complications that you have to put up with a plan and be ready for when the inevitable happens.

4. Work to get the job done

Sun Tzu said: "Opportunities multiply as they captured.

The bottom line: the Boss needs volunteers to stay and work on a late draft? Do it. Does your company need a speaker for Conference? Do it. More experience you get, the better will be your resume, and the higher the quality of your contacts. Just be careful spread yourself too thin.

5. Grow your social network

Sun Tzu said: "Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. "

The bottom line: stay in touch with former colleagues, colleagues, and Yes, even the bosses. You never know when a former business contact may recommend you a new position. But it's not enough just to stay in touch. You must have a plan on how you can use your connection.

Note: this quote, while Sun Tzu is likely apocryphal. However, this is good advice.

6. Dedicated

Sun Tzu said: ?General no coveting fame and exit without fear of shame, whose only thought is to defend their country and do a good service to his sovereign, this jewel of the Kingdom ".

The bottom line: no one likes a manipulative ladder climber. Just do what's best for the company, and eventually, you'll do what's best for you, too. Stay humble, even after winning awards and accolades, and you'll make more friends (read: allies.)

7. Play to your strengths

Sun Tzu said: "They say that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be a threat in a hundred battles; If you don't know your enemies and know yourself, you win one and lose one; If you don't know your enemies nor yourself, you will have to risk in every single battle. "

The bottom line: if you always play in your personal strengths and understand any potential problems that can degrade performance, you will always be successful in your industry. Stay up to date with trends and always keep honing your skills set.

Conclusion

Sun Tzu might have been a master strategy of war, but his advice is still resonates with us today because it's so easy to be applied to politics, business and our personal lives. Follow his commandments, and everything will go their way.

Resources and further reading

http://Classics.MIT.edu/Tzu/artwar.HTML

http://www.History-of-China.com/Three-Kingdoms/Sun-Tzu.htm

http://EN.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War (contains the original Chinese version and English translation.)

http://Shop.History.com/Detail.php?p=104545&v=History

Tucker is a writer and social media professional living in New England. When not staring into a tiny electric field, it is engaged in wanton acts of stupidity at BadBoozeReview.com and at MargeryJones.com posts daily

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10 ways to improve your memory skills Boost &

Have you ever noticed that some people are able to easily remember even the most mundane details and quickly understand new things and wishes that you too can be like? ?Well you can. ?To unlock the potential of your brain, you need to keep it active and urgent. ?From spending on the couch watching mindless television show is not going to help. ?In addition to receiving of flashcards, what should I do to help remember things better and faster to learn new things? ?Check out these tips:

To & to get your body moving – implement not only to exercise the body, it also helps to exercise your brain. ?Obesity and the many diseases that eventually due to excess can cause serious harm to the brain. ?In addition, without regular exercise Board begins to increase in your arteries and blood vessels begin to lose the ability to effectively pump blood. ?Plaque accumulation leads to heart attacks, but it also reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that holds blood to your brain. ?When the nutrients don't make it there, dropping the ability of brain function. ?To prevent this, make sure you get traffic every day, even if its just a brisk walk, it will help maintain and increase your mental accuity. Brisk walking, swimming and dancing are all excellent.Eliminate stress and seek help for depression (if any). Anything that causes major stress, such as anger or fear, will eat away at the time in parts of your brain responsible for memory. ?Among the most stress, depression, brain damage, which in fact often Diagnose a memory problem because one of its main symptoms are inability to concentrate. ?If you don't focus, then you might feel like you're constantly forgetting things. Depression increases cortisol levels in your blood, which increases the level of cortisol in the brain. ?Doctors concluded that increased cortisol detracts from certain areas of the brain, especially the hippocampus, which is where short-term memory. ?Thus, prolonged depression can break your brain's ability to remember something new. ?Seek professional help to deal with your depression and your brain will thank you.Get a good night's sleep and taking NAPS. Receive continuous 7-8 hours of sleep each night will increase your memory. During sleep, brain firms up memories of recent information received and enough sleep will help you get through the entire range of night cycles that are required for optimal brain and body functioning in waking hours. ?NAPS throughout the day, especially when learning something new can also help you keep these memories, and recharge your brain and keep it better.Write it down. If there is something you want to remember writing it might help. ?Writing it creates a stream of blood oxygen in parts of your brain, responsible for your memories and literally is the part of it. ?You can run a journal, write letters or even start blogging – all these activities will improve your ability to memorize and remember information.Listening to music. Studies show that certain types of music are very helpful in recalling memories. ?The information learned while listening to a particular song or collections often can be recalled thinking about songs or "plays" it mentally. ?Songs and music can serve as a hint to tow up to particular memories.Feed your brain. 50-60 per cent of the total weight of the brain is pure fat, which is used for its billions of nerve cells. ?More isolated cell, the faster it can send messages and the faster you would think. ?This is exactly why parents are encouraged to feed their young children just milk and limit the diet – their brains requires FAT to grow and function properly. ?Skimping on fats can be devastating even for an adult brain. ?Thus there are products that contain a healthy mix of fats is essential for long-term memory. ?Some excellent dining choices include fish (especially mackerel, anchovies, and wild salmon) and dark leafy green vegetables. ?Obviously, deep-fried foods contain fat, but their lack of nutritional value is going to help your brain or your body, so think of healthy nutrition and fat.Visual concept. In order to remember things, many people you want to visualize the information they learn. ?Note the photographers, charts, and other graphic elements that may appear in your tutorial, or unless you examine the book, trying to pull up a mental image of what it is you want to remember. ?This can also help to make your own graphics or numbers, or use the colors and markers to group related ideas in your notes.Teach someone else. Reading aloud has been shown to significantly improve your memory. ?Further expansion of this idea is the fact that have psychologists and pedagogues, students learn new concepts to others, so HES to enhance understanding and feedback. ?Teach new concepts and information to the partner, friend or studies and you will find you remember data better.Crosswords, reading, or playing cards. Studies have shown that makes any of these activities on a daily basis not only to keep your brain active, but also help delay memory loss, especially in those who develop dementia. ?So pick up a daily crossword and work on this, read a book or enjoy a game of Solitaire.Breakfast and make sure it includes the egg. Accrording Larry Mccleary, m.d., author of brain trust program, the egg is a perfect breakfast. ?Eggs contain B vitamins that help nerve cells burn glucose, antioxidants, which protect against damage to neurons and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are nerve cells fire at optimum speed. ?Other products to add to your breakfast include fruits, vegetables and meat proteins. ?Avoid trans fat and high fructose corn syrup. ?Trans fat reduces the ability of the brain cells to communicate with eachother, and HFC actually compresses the brain by cell damage. ?Having a healthy breakfast in the morning has been shown to improve performance throughout the day.

What are some tips or tricks you have food to boost your memory and to keep your brain sharp?

PTS other

Julie McCormick as, a freelance writer and co-owner of the Cleveland leader, visit the Technorati Top 100. She is married and mother of two small children. You'll often find her playing around with the latest tech gadgets, messing around with the code or writing storm. She has a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications and spent nearly a decade working in one of the largest public libraries in the United States before calling it quits, embarking on a new path.

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